Apricot Amaretto Jam
This thick, chunky apricot jam was my grandma’s recipe; it’s lovely to make something for my family and friends that she made for hers! —Linda Wegner, Robinson, Illinois
Black Grape & Rhubarb Jam
Black grapes happen to be a favorite food of mine, so I combined them with rhubarb from the garden to create this sweet-tart jam. The crystallized ginger and spices add wonderful flavor. The soft-set texture and the bits of the grape skin also make this recipe a little different from other jams.—Barbara Estabrook, Rhinelander, Wisconsin
Apple-Walnut Maple Conserve
Versatile and delicious, this conserve reminds me of a warm cozy kitchen; you’ll love every bite. I warm the conserve and pour it over vanilla ice cream as a dessert, and it’s great as a topping over French toast, biscuits or even pork roast. Be sure to make more than one batch so you can give it as gifts during the holidays.—Paula Marchesi, Lenhartsville, Pennsylvania
Very Berry Spread
Two kinds of berries make this jam deliciously different. I always keep some on hand.—Irene Hagel, Choiceland, Saskatchewan
Tomato Lemon Marmalade
This is a marmalade I make for our church bazaar every fall. It always sells out in no time at all.—Mrs. Helen Witt, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Canned Blueberry Jam
Summer doesn’t feel complete without at least one berry picking trip and a batch of homemade blueberry jam. Eat atop fresh scones or biscuits for maximum enjoyment! —Marisa McClellan, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Raspberry Peach Jam
While my jam won a first-place pink ribbon at our local county fair, that may not be the highest compliment it’s received. Two girlfriends that I share it with tell me if they don’t hide the jam from their husbands and children, they’ll devour an entire jarful at just a sitting! —Patricia Larsen, Leslieville, Alberta
Lemon Marmalade
Lemons and grapefruit combine to create a tantalizing spread for English muffins, toast and even shortbread cookies! I give away jars of this marmalade every Christmas. —Barbara Carlucci, Orange Park, Florida
Plum Orange Jam
We put our homegrown plums to delicious use in this quick and easy jam. It’s my favorite thing to serve with buttermilk biscuits. —Kathy Rairigh, Milford, Indiana
Three-Fruit Marmalade
I make all my own jams, and this marmalade is a favorite. It marries the warm flavors of peaches and pears with citrus. —Lorraine Wright, Grand Forks, British Columbia
Rhubarb Raisin Marmalade
At a retreat in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, I sampled a marmalade combining rhubarb and raisins. I loved it so much that I went home and tried to duplicate it. I added the strawberries to make the marmalade even sweeter. —Carmen Tuck, Airdrie, Alberta
Strawberry-Citrus Marmalade
I love strawberries but had never picked them until my neighbors took me to the local strawberry farm years ago. The next day, I used the motherlode of bright red strawberries to make this wonderful marmalade.—Margaret Hill, Louisville, Kentucky
Cherry Pear Conserve
I use pears harvested from my own trees to make this conserve. I love it combined with cream cheese and spread between two waffles that are topped with pure maple syrup. —Ruth Bolduc, Conway, New Hampshire
Plum Anise Jam
Growing up, my father loved black licorice and all my siblings and I loved it as well. I still love the flavor of black licorice but can’t eat the candy anymore for health reasons. This recipe reminds me of the flavor I loved as a child. The delicious jam tastes great with Brie or goat cheese and crackers. —Jill Grueninger, Mequon, Wisconsin
Apple Cinnamon Jelly
I have made this for my five kids for their peanut butter sandwiches throughout all of their school years. I have made jars and jars of this wonderful jelly for gifts for teachers, neighbors and relatives for Christmas. It’s easy, delicious and homemade—what’s not to love? Be prepared to have to make this jelly regularly once the kids get a taste of it! —Nancy Jenkins, Fullerton, California
Plum Conserve
My mouthwatering conserve is a versatile gift. It makes a lovely garnish for rolls during holiday feasts, is delicious paired with cheese as an appetizer, and makes a great dessert topping for ice cream or pound cake. —Ginny Beadle, Spokane, Washington
Chunky Cherry & Peach Preserves
Out of all the jams I make, this is my grandmother’s favorite. She anxiously waits for late June to come because she knows I’ll put up as many batches as I can while peaches and cherries are at their peak. —Amy Seiger, McLoud, Oklahoma
Strawberry Marmalade
This recipe makes ordinary orange marmalade into something really special! Sometimes I make it using strawberries that I’ve frozen without adding sugar or water. I just thaw them in the refrigerator overnight. &mdashlMrs. Craig Presbrey, Pascoag, Rhode Island
Peach-Blueberry Preserves
As a child I helped my grandmother can summer fruits and vegetables. I didn’t always appreciate this activity when I was young, but now I miss her terribly and wish we could have another summer afternoon in her kitchen. I think she would enjoy this recipe. —Katie Ferrier Gage, Houston, Texas
Blackberry Apple Jelly
August is the busiest month of the year on our small farm—that’s when we’re harvesting sweet corn, pumpkins and pickling cucumbers for our stand. But I always make time to put up this jelly. The apples come from our old-fashioned orchard, while the blackberries grow wild along our creek…and the jelly’s usually gone by January! —Liz Endacott, Matsqui, British Columbia
Honey Lemon Jelly
I love both honey and lemon, so I combined those ingredients into a doubly delightful jelly. Spread it on toast, bagels, English muffins or scones for a tangy breakfast treat. —Ramona Wysong, Barlow, Kentucky
Carrot Cake Jam
For a change of pace from berry jams, try this unique option. Spread on a bagel with cream cheese, it tastes almost as good as real carrot cake! —Rachelle Stratton, Rock Springs, Wyoming
Cinnamon Blueberry Jam
Watching my grandmother can hundreds of jars of tomatoes, peaches and pears inspired me to first try making jams and jellies myself. This jam is one my family enjoys on warm homemade corn or blueberry muffins. The cinnamon’s a bit of a surprise. —Barbara Burns, Phillipsburg, New Jersey
Over-the-Top Cherry Jam
We live in Door County, an area known for its wonderful tart cherries. This beautiful, sweet jam makes lovely gifts. —Karen Haen, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Spiced Pear Jam
A neighbor of mine passed along this favorite recipe. I’ve given many jars of this jam as gifts. Day to day, we enjoy it on toast with ham and eggs or on hot rolls with a meat. —Karen Bockelman, Portland, Oregon
Cran-Raspberry Honey Spread
Honey gives this tangy spread its sweetness. I came up with the recipe way back when our family first took up beekeeping and we had a bumper crop. —J. Fleming, Almonte, Ontario
Pear Preserves
In the fall we would go to our farm and pick pears and apples. Then we’d build a campfire and roast hot dogs. Later we’d all get together and make big batches of these tasty preserves. —Tammy Watkins, Greentop, Missouri
Rhubarb Jelly
I help help my husband with the pouring and skimming for this jelly—my own personal favorite. It’s nice as both a breakfast spread and a topping for pork or other meat. —Jean Coleman, Ottawa, Ontario
Tri-Berry Jam
My mother-in-law and I dreamed up this jam after we’d been picking blueberries one day. She wondered if blueberries, raspberries and strawberries would taste good together. So she made a test batch—and we quickly learned that they definitely did! Then I came up with my own version of the jam. I preserve everything from our garden! —Karen Maerkle, Baltic, Connecticut
Amaretto-Peach Preserves
Chock-full of peaches, raisins and pecans, this lovely conserve enhances ordinary slices of toast.—Redawna Kalynchuk, Sexsmith, Alberta
Strawberry Basil Jam
I make this recipe with fresh-picked strawberries and fresh basil grown in my own herb garden. This unique sweet and savory jam makes a perfect gift—just add a bright ribbon around the top with a gift tag! The deep red jam, laced with flecks of green basil, is so beautiful. —Julie O’Neil, Two Harbors, Minnesota
Apple Pear & Walnut Conserve
Fruit and walnuts pair beautifully in this homemade spread. It’s wonderful on toast, pound cake…even scoops of vanilla ice cream.
Cherry-Raspberry Jam
When sour cherries and red raspberries are in season, I always freeze some with this recipe in mind. I’ve been making jams and jellies for years, and friends and family agree this is the best I make. —Lenora McCulley, Reedsville, Wisconsin
Rhubarb-Orange Marmalade
Rhubarb and orange make a great combination in this versatile marmalade. It’s a perfect glaze for meat or poultry and tasty on toast.—Joan Markytan, Elysian, Minnesota
Christmas Jam
I have a passion for cooking, and it’s probably my grandmother I can thank for it. She was a marvelous cook who could really stretch a food dollar. —Jo Talvacchia, Lanoka Harbor, New Jersey
The post Grandma’s Best Jams, Jellies & Spreads appeared first on Taste of Home.
Caroline Stanko