As the leaves turn brilliant hues of crimson and gold, there’s no better way to capture the nostalgia of autumn than with a spoonful of luscious Caramel Apple Jam. One transportive bite conjures memories of wandering through orchards, the crunch of candy apples at fall fairs, and cozy sweaters on hayrides.
When I was growing up, my family always spent the first crisp weekend in October at a local apple festival. My favorite part was sampling all the caramel apple varieties from different vendors while my brother would dare me to ride the highest spinning rides. I still remember the heavenly pairing of tart apples enrobed in sweet, buttery caramel – it was absolute perfection.
Now I’m so thrilled to recreate that iconic flavor combination of both the orchard and carnival midway in spreadable form to enjoy year-round. By cooking down fresh Granny Smith apples accentuated with brown sugar, warm spices, and swirled caramel, every batch fills my kitchen with cozy, nostalgic essence of autumn.
This Caramel Apple Jam is so simple and fun to prepare, making it a perfect weekend project for the entire family. As the jam bubbles away on the stove filling your home with apple aromas, kids of all ages will love taking turns stirring the pot and sneaking spoonfuls to test for doneness. And once you seal the final jars brimming with glossy goodness swirled with buttery caramel, you’ll feel a sense of pride and accomplishment capturing sweet fall memories.
I hope you’ll join me on this tasty trip down memory lane. Let’s rediscover the magic of caramel apples as we blend seasonal flavors into luscious jam destined to be the star spread of every fall gathering. Now, let’s head to the kitchen!
Let’s start with the FAQs:
Why Granny Smith apples?
Granny Smiths are the perfect apple for jam because they hold their shape beautifully and provide a nice tart flavor that balances the sweetness. Their firm texture gives the jam great consistency rather than turning mushy.
Does it need pectin?
Nope, no need to add pectin! The natural pectin in the Granny Smith apples causes the jam to thicken up perfectly on its own during cooking without adding anything extra.
Can I use apple juice?
I don’t recommend apple juice. The subtle acidity of apple cider lends the ideal tangy depth to balance out the rich caramel and sugar. Juice would make it one-dimensionally sweet.
How long will it keep?
This jam holds up nicely for 2 weeks refrigerated or up to 1 year frozen without losing any flavor or texture. The sugar and acidity act as preservatives.
What’s your favorite use?
I love spooning this jam generously into thumbprint cookies for a pretty presentation and decadent caramel apple flavor in every bite! It’s also divine paired with strong cheddar cheese and crackers.
Now let’s get ready to spread apple orchard bliss:
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 35 mins
Total Time: 55 mins
Ingredients:
- 3 pounds Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and chopped
- 1 1⁄4 cups apple cider
- 1 1⁄2 cups white sugar
- 1⁄4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
- 1⁄2 cup heavy cream
- 1⁄4 cup caramel sauce
Instructions:
- In a large pot, combine apples, cider, sugars, lemon juice, cinnamon and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 25-30 minutes until thickened, stirring often.
- Remove pot from heat and stir in heavy cream and caramel sauce until incorporated.
- Carefully ladle jam into sterilized jars leaving 1⁄4 inch headspace. Seal and process 10 minutes in a boiling water bath.
Apple Jam Tips:
- Use fresh, firm apples for the best set.
- A wider, shorter pot works best for faster evaporation.
- Refrigerate after opening for longest shelf life.
- Makes perfect gifts for teachers, neighbors and friends!
