Description

This Dark Chocolate Strawberry Jam blends the natural sweetness of fresh strawberries with the rich depth of high-quality dark chocolate, creating a luscious spread perfect for toast, pastries, or as a decadent filling for cakes and cookies. The addition of lemon juice and optional fruit pectin helps balance the flavors and achieve the ideal jam consistency through a simple stovetop cooking process.

Ingredients

Scale

Primary Ingredients

4 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3 ounces dark chocolate (70% cocoa or higher), finely chopped
1 tablespoon fruit pectin (optional, for thicker jam)

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Instructions

Combine Ingredients: In a large saucepan, add the hulled and chopped strawberries, granulated sugar, and lemon juice. This mixture will form the base of your jam.
Cook the Fruit: Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, until the mixture starts bubbling and the strawberries release their juices, about 10–15 minutes.
Mash the Strawberries: Use a potato masher or the back of a spoon to gently mash the strawberries to your preferred texture, whether chunky or smoother.
Simmer to Thicken: Continue simmering the mixture for another 10–15 minutes, stirring often, to help the jam thicken slightly and develop flavor.
Add Pectin (Optional): If using fruit pectin for a thicker jam, stir it in now and cook the mixture for an additional 2 minutes to activate the pectin.
Incorporate Dark Chocolate: Remove the pan from heat. Immediately stir in the finely chopped dark chocolate until it melts completely into the jam, creating a smooth, rich texture.
Cool the Jam: Allow the jam to cool for 10–15 minutes in the pan before transferring it to clean jars. Let it cool completely before sealing to preserve freshness.
Store Properly: Store the jam in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. For extended storage, process the jars in a water bath canner following standard canning guidelines.

Notes

For a smoother texture, blend the jam with an immersion blender before adding the dark chocolate.
This jam pairs beautifully with toast, pastries, or as a decadent filling for cakes and cookies.
Use high-quality dark chocolate (70% cocoa or higher) to ensure the best flavor and smooth melting consistency.