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Jar of Easy Greengage Jam with spoon of jam resting on top on a slate with croissants.
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4.73 from 11 votes

Easy Greengage Jam

Easy Greengage Jam a beautiful plum jam with its own unique flavour and a subtle tang of lemon.
Course Snack, teatime
Cuisine British
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 14 minutes
Total Time 24 minutes
Servings 4 0.25 Litre jars
Author Camilla Hawkins

Equipment

  • Preserving pan (or similar)
  • 1 Measuring jug
  • Kitchen knife
  • Lemon juicer
  • Digital scales
  • long wooden spoon
  • Metal whisk
  • Digital thermometer (optional)
  • 2 0.5 litre jam jars with lids 4 x 0.25 litre jam jars with lids
  • jam funnel
  • ladle
  • 2 Saucers
  • 1 Kettle (to boil water for sterilising)

Ingredients

  • 1 kilogram greengages rinsed
  • 800 grams granulated sugar
  • ½ lemon squeezed for 1 tablespoon lemon juice & half lemon skin retained

Instructions

  • Before you start place 2 saucers in freezer and sterilise jars (see notes).
  • Add greengages (counting them into the pan) and 150 millilitres of water to a preserving (or similar large) pan.
  • Bring to a simmer over a medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the stones come away easily from the flesh (about 15 – 18 minutes).
  • Once greengages are cooked remove the stones with a wooden spoon. Agitating with a whisk can help to loosen and find them. You should have as many stones as you counted greengages at the beginning!
  • Add 800 grams granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and the half lemon skin. Heat on low until the sugar dissolves, stirring with a wooden spoon until no crunching sounds can be heard. Do no simmer or jam will be crunchy.
  • Turn the heat up to full and bring the mixture to a full rolling boil whilst stirring continuously to avoid the jam catching on the base . At this point time for 8 minutes or if you have a digital thermometer aim for a temperature of 105°C, stirring continuously. The jam will drip slowly off your spoon and last drop will hang on when jam is at setting point.
  • Test for set by putting a few drops of jam on a chilled saucer and place in fridge for 30 seconds. Push your finger through the jam and it should form a crinkle (or wave) and feel gel like. If setting point hasn’t been reached boil for another minute at a time and repeat test until ready.
  • Remove lemon skin and pot up jam into 2 x 0.5 litre or 4 x 0.25 litre hot sterilised jars.
  • Screw lids on immediately.
  • Allow to cool before serving. Once opened store in fridge.

Notes

Before you start:
Sterilise 2 x 0.5 litre or 4 x 0.25 litre jam jars and lids by washing thoroughly in hot soapy water (or take straight from dishwasher), fill with boiling water, empty and place on a baking tray. Bake in a preheated oven at 140°C for 20 mins and keep the jars there until ready to pot up. Place lids in a bowl and pour over boiling water, use tongs to lift out and drain on a clean tea towel or draining rack.