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Easy Small-Batch Spiked Strawberry Jam – Fresh and easy strawberry jam made with just picked strawberries, sugar and Grand Marnier Liqueur
I hope you’re not tired of all the strawberry recipes we’ve posted lately. I can’t seem to get enough of these beautiful red fruits! Over the years I’ve made jam but never anything good enough to write home about. When I was a young girl I helped my mom can butters, jellies and jams so you’d think I was proficient in canning. That is not at all the case. I wish I had the time to learn the process all over again but until then, I’ll settle for small batch jams that take very little time to prep, and are incredibly easy to make. Many jam recipes are made with equal parts fruit and sugar with a little lemon juice and pectin. This jam is made with a double fruit to sugar ratio, no pectin, and I substituted Grand Marnier liqueur for the lemon juice. Grand Marnier and strawberries are a match made in heaven and of course I have a small bottle that’s just begging to be used. This is the recipe to try if you’ve always wanted to make jam but didn’t think you could. I know you’re going to love our Easy Small-Batch Spiked Strawberry Jam with Grand Marnier.
The recipe makes 2-full cups of jam that will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks. I can’t say our lasted that long but it was enough to share with family.
Without pectin you must make sure to cook the jam long enough to thicken. There’s a super easy method to test for doneness without all the guesswork. We put a glass plate in the freezer and when the jam has cooked down, place a spoonful of jam on the cold plate and leave it for 30 seconds. Tilt the plate and if the jam moves very slow, it’s done. If it rolls down the plate, cook for a few more minutes and test again.
If you ever have the chance to pick your own berries, please don’t let the opportunity to pass you buy. The juiciness and fresh flavor in fresh picked fruits is incredible, and that makes all the difference in your recipes.
If our kitchen wasn’t in the middle of a renovation, I’d go pick more strawberries tomorrow morning and make pies, and perhaps some jelly. No sink, no cabinets and no floor. But we do have lots and lots of dirt!
I have one more strawberry recipe to post later this week so please stop back and check it out! If you make our jam recipe, please take a photo and post it on Instagram and tag us at Saving Room for Dessert. We would love to see how this recipe turned out for you!
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- 4 cups fresh chopped strawberries, I like a mixture of small pieces and large
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons Grand Marnier Liqueur, or lemon juice
- Place two small, clean plates in your freezer.
- In a large deep skillet, combine the strawberries, sugar and liqueur or lemon juice. Heat on medium until the mixture starts to boil. Skim the foam from the top of the jam and discard as it cooks. Don't worry if you can't get all the foam but you should be able to get most of it.
- Continue cooking and stirring for about 10 minutes or until it starts to thicken.
- Remove one of the plates from the freezer and put a small spoonful of jam on the plate. Allow it to sit for 30 seconds then tilt the plate. If the jam slides down the plate quickly, keep cooking. If it is slow and thick, it's done.
- Continue testing, if needed, every 2 minutes. Do not overcook!
- Place the jam in jars and cool to room temperature. Refrigerate once cooled.
- The jam will keep 2-3 weeks in the refrigerator.
Happy Mother’s Day to one and all! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Tricia
Diane (Created by Diane) says
May 29, 2016 at 3:26 pmOh my GOODNESS, I need to stop at the farm stand today and pick up some strawberries to make this!!
Tricia Buice says
May 30, 2016 at 9:47 amThis is a great jam Diane – we were so sorry when it was gone! Thanks
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
May 14, 2016 at 2:44 pmPerfect amount for just myself and my husband. Love your version with less sugar…I think it lets the flavor of the strawberries shine.
Tricia Buice says
May 30, 2016 at 9:51 amThanks Karen – and I agree – it was just enough and the strawberry flavor was terrific. So sad it’s gone already!
Susan says
May 13, 2016 at 12:58 pmWhat a luscious-looking jam, Tricia! Our Wisconsin strawberries will be coming in another few weeks and I’d love to try this with some local strawberries. It looks perfect on those biscuits!
Tricia Buice says
May 13, 2016 at 5:53 pmI hope you get to try it Susan – we really enjoyed it! Have a lovely weekend.
Liz says
May 13, 2016 at 7:30 amYour jam looks heavenly! I don’t think I’ll ever get into big batch canning, but I’d be happy to make some of your gorgeous strawberry jam!!!
Tricia Buice says
May 13, 2016 at 5:52 pmThank you so much Liz! Congratulations on your son’s graduation 🙂
Wendy says
May 11, 2016 at 9:43 pmCanning always intimidates me, so I’ve never made my own jam. Your jam recipe is just what I need! Not to mention that Grand Marnier is always in my cabinet (essential Cosmopolitan ingredient 🙂 )I am going strawberry picking with my daughter this weekend. Between your jam and Chris’ strawberry lemonade, I am going to be one happy camper! I hope your kitchen renovation is completed quickly and leaves you delighted. I don’t think there is any other renovation project that requires as many decisions as a kitchen! ( When it’s done, if you decide to hold pie baking classes in it, please sign me up!)
Tricia Buice says
May 12, 2016 at 8:43 amHaha – this kitchen renovation is the pits. Nothing ever goes as planned and we are now changing the flooring for the third time – sheesh. You’ll never catch me flipping houses. Enjoy your strawberries and the jam! I have two more strawberry recipes coming soon – guess I should change the name of my blog! Thanks so much Wendy – have a terrific week and happy picking!
John/Kitchen Riffs says
May 11, 2016 at 12:25 pmWe’ve been feasting on strawberries lately! Haven’t made jam, though. Yet. 🙂 You’ve really inspired me — thanks.
Tricia Buice says
May 11, 2016 at 3:11 pmFeasting on strawberries sounds pretty great to me! Thank you so much!
Amanda says
May 11, 2016 at 9:49 amThis recipe is wonderful and it couldn’t have come at a more perfect time! I’ve been thinking of a great summer recipe that I could make for my friends and family and this is absolutely perfect! It sounds delicious–thank you so much for sharing!
Tricia Buice says
May 11, 2016 at 3:10 pmThank you for the comment Amanda – this is great jam – hope you love it too!
All That I'm Eating says
May 11, 2016 at 6:03 amWhat a fantastic colour, and a great idea for a small batch recipe.
Tricia Buice says
May 11, 2016 at 7:46 amThanks! It’s a delicious jam and we’re sad it’s gone again – time to make some more!
Monica says
May 10, 2016 at 9:54 amThis jam is so beautiful. I’ve had this on my to-try list for a long time but I never seem to have enough strawberries to spare for the project! This is a huge encouragement, I tell you! My husband loves strawberry jam and I know he’d appreciate this. The Grand Marnier is a must-try. I have some wonderful strawberries in the fridge right now but I want to go picking. ; )
And good luck with the kitchen reno – scary yet so extremely exciting. I know it will be awesome!
Tricia Buice says
May 10, 2016 at 12:40 pmI hope you will give it a try Monica! My husband has been nuts for this jam and he wants to pick strawberries again soon. Such fun! Have a great week.
Monica says
May 29, 2016 at 11:20 amTricia – I made a small batch of this jam yesterday. My husband and I thank you! : ) It is so very delicious – super easy and so gorgeous to look at and sweet to eat. Thank you for your beautiful post, which really motivated me to get into the kitchen and make it happen. And I’m so glad I did. We had a fun “British-themed” Sunday breakfast today with this. Thanks for inspiring me so often. xo
(Will post this on my blog later on if you don’t mind…it’s a keeper!)
Tricia Buice says
May 30, 2016 at 9:47 amYeah! Thanks so much for letting me know Monica. We were thrilled with how easy it was to make and eat – haha – enjoy your holiday and thanks again!
Robyn @ Simply Fresh Dinners says
May 10, 2016 at 9:36 amI never tire of berry recipes, Tricia, and you had me at ‘easy’! I love cooking chicken with strawberries and mozzarella cheese and I can’t wait until the berries come into season here. We’ve had such a cold spring that everything is behind schedule.
A beautiful jam and I love the addition of Grand Marnier!
PS. The reno must be driving you nuts! lol. Been there, done that. Any end in sight?
Tricia Buice says
May 10, 2016 at 12:42 pmYour recipe sounds wonderful Robyn – can’t wait to see it on your blog! Yes the renovation is pretty awful – haha. I just hate the enormous mess. Think boxes everywhere, dust on everything, no running water on the main floor – ahhhhh! Plus I’m not an interior designer which makes for some sleepless nights wondering if it’s all going to fit together. I guess you’ll know how it turned out if I “do or do not” share pictures 🙂 Have a great week!
handmade by amalia says
May 9, 2016 at 11:20 pmThis looks amazing, Tricia, such a great color. I have to see whether we still have strawberries in the market, I’d love to give it a try.
Amalia
xo
Tricia Buice says
May 10, 2016 at 12:43 pmThanks Amalia – the color is so pretty – strawberries are just absolutely amazing! Have a great week.
Becky Green says
May 9, 2016 at 12:29 pmYUM!!!! HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY, TRICIA!!!! 😉
Tricia Buice says
May 9, 2016 at 7:31 pmThanks Becky – hope you had a nice one too.
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
May 9, 2016 at 7:07 amPerfect jam! I feel like I can smell that wonderful strawberry scent right through your pictures 🙂 Can’t wait for local strawberries here. Hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day!
Tricia Buice says
May 9, 2016 at 7:31 pmThanks Jennifer – we spent Mother’s Day packing up all the kitchen cabinets. What a mess my house is now. Anyway – the jam is great and the strawberries are delicious!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
May 9, 2016 at 12:06 amYes! Such a beautiful post. Love strawberry jam, especially when it comes complete with scones!
Tricia Buice says
May 9, 2016 at 6:26 amOh scones and strawberry jam – absolutely perfect! Thanks Thalia!
cheri says
May 8, 2016 at 9:37 pmHi Tricia, you could never publish to many strawberry recipes for me, love the color of you jam, it is perfect.
Tricia Buice says
May 9, 2016 at 6:25 amThank you Cheri – it was a very good batch!
Sara says
May 8, 2016 at 8:09 pmI love how simple this jam is, I’ve always been more intimidated by the complicated recipes with all the sterilizing and pectin and stuff. Can’t wait to try it!
Tricia Buice says
May 9, 2016 at 6:24 amI hope you enjoy the jam as much as we did Sara. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Chris Scheuer says
May 8, 2016 at 3:54 pmHappy Mother’s Day Tricia! Hope you’re having lots of jam and biscuits today that someone else made! The jam is such a beautiful color! I’m afraid I’d eat that whole plate of biscuits if I had this amazing jam to smother them with! Hope your kitchen renovation goes quickly, I know it will be wonderful when it’s finished!
Tricia Buice says
May 8, 2016 at 4:57 pmNo biscuits for me today – my kitchen is empty but I did get some beautiful flowers from my daughter. Hope you are having a wonderful Mother’s Day with children and grandchildren. Thanks so much!
Monique says
May 8, 2016 at 3:24 pmThis is our kind of jam..no pectin…Just like this:)Hope you are having a great day!
Tricia Buice says
May 8, 2016 at 4:57 pmThanks Monique – hope you had a lovely weekend!
[email protected]'s Recipes says
May 8, 2016 at 11:31 amThough I am not fancy for sugar loaded jam, this one looks too good to miss in life, Tricia.
Tricia Buice says
May 8, 2016 at 4:57 pmThanks Angie – and I agree. Every now and then – this is a lovely treat!
ZazaCook says
May 8, 2016 at 11:22 amLove this recipe! Looks so simple to make. I’ve never made jam, I have to try your recipe before the end of strawberry season. Thanks Tricia for sharing!
Tricia Buice says
May 8, 2016 at 4:58 pmI hope you will give it a try Zaza – so easy and really good. Thanks!
sue | theviewfromgreatisland says
May 8, 2016 at 11:03 amI love easy peasy jams — I’ve working on one right now that isn’t even cooked. Traditional jams can get so laborious, I’m all for experimenting with new methods. That color is glorious — who wouldn’t want to start the day with that? Happy Mother’s Day Tricia <3
Sharing 🙂
Tricia Buice says
May 8, 2016 at 4:59 pmI can’t wait to read about your new recipe Sue – no cooking sounds amazing! We love fruit, fresh, frozen, blended or whole. Hope you’re having a wonderful Mother’s Day!