Gift Favor Idea: Southern Strawberry Jam

No matter what your wedding theme is you always need to give a favor that is tailored to you. At our wedding, we gave heart shaped cookie cutters with a sugar cookie recipe. I love to bake and thought it was the perfect touch to send our guests home with. Not all people give favors but it is always nice to thank your guests for coming to your big day.

I love the idea of sending your guests home with a gift they can put to use. Southern in style, strawberry jam is a classic gift and looks great in a mason jar. These jars full of jam would also make great decor in the center of your tables. While canning can be expensive, you can always try less expensive jam holders considering your guests will more than likely put their goodies to use right away. Jars help to keep the jam fresher longer. These gifts would also be great for shower hostess gifts.

Photo Source: The Pioneer Woman

This recipe is Ina Garten's of Barefoot Contessa and the Food Network. When you use her recipe you can be sure it has a pound of sugar and/or butter. It is a real doozy if it has both! Her recipes are always simple and extremely tasty!

Ingredients:
3 pints fresh strawberries
3 cups superfine sugar
2 tablespoons orange-flavored liqueur (recommended: Grand Marnier)
1/2 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and small-diced
1/2 cup fresh blueberries

Directions:
1. Place the strawberries in a colander and rinse them under cold running water. Drain and hull the strawberries. Cut the larger berries in half or quarters and leave the small berries whole. Place the strawberries in a deep, heavy-bottomed pot such as heavy Dutch oven and toss them with the sugar and orange-flavored liqueur.

2. Bring the berry mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring often. Add the apple and blueberries and continue to keep the mixture at a rolling boil, stirring occasionally, until the jam reaches 220 degrees on a candy thermometer. This should take 25 to 35 minutes. Skim and discard any foam that rises to the top. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature and then store covered in the refrigerator. It will keep refrigerated for at least 2 weeks. To keep the jam longer, pack and seal in canning jars according to the manufacturer's instructions.

To learn how to prepare your cans, you can check out the Pioneer Woman's tutorial.