Easy Honey Sweetened Apricot Lavender Jam
A quick and elegant homemade apricot jam subtly infused with culinary lavender and sweetened naturally with honey, perfect for toast, yogurt, or cheese plates.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: About 4 cups (approximately 16 servings of 1 tablespoon each) 1x
- Category: Preserves
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 pounds (1.4 kg) fresh apricots, rinsed, pitted, and chopped into ½ inch pieces
- ¾ cup (180 ml) raw or mild-flavored honey
- 1 tablespoon dried culinary lavender (culinary-grade only)
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¼ cup (60 ml) water
- Optional: pinch of vanilla bean powder or vanilla pod
Instructions
- Prepare the apricots by rinsing, pitting, and chopping into ½ inch pieces (about 10 minutes).
- Place 1 tablespoon of dried culinary lavender into a cheesecloth or tea infuser to contain the lavender (about 2 minutes).
- In a large pot, combine apricot chunks, honey, lemon juice, water, and the lavender bundle. Stir gently to combine (about 3 minutes).
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 25-30 minutes until apricots soften and mixture thickens to coat the back of a spoon (aim for 220°F or 104°C if using a thermometer).
- Remove the lavender bundle and taste the jam. Adjust sweetness with more honey if needed. Test the set by placing a spoonful on a chilled plate; if it wrinkles when pushed, it’s ready (about 2 minutes).
- Optional: For smoother jam, use a hand blender or pass through a fine mesh strainer to remove skins and lavender bits (about 5 minutes).
- Pour hot jam into sterilized glass jars, leaving ¼ inch headspace. Seal immediately and let cool to room temperature. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks or freeze for longer storage (about 10 minutes).
Notes
Use only culinary-grade lavender to avoid bitterness or unsafe additives. Stir frequently to prevent scorching. Test jam set with the wrinkle test on a chilled plate. For vegan version, substitute honey with maple syrup or agave nectar, noting flavor changes. Frozen apricots can be used but should be thawed and drained to avoid runny jam. Sterilize jars to extend shelf life.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon (15 g)
- Calories: 45
- Sugar: 11
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 0.5
Keywords: apricot jam, lavender jam, honey sweetened jam, homemade preserves, easy jam recipe, floral jam, natural sweetener