Spiced apple mint jelly is one of those palate-pleasing additions to your food. It has all the comfort of fall with the apple/clove flavor but it is so interesting because the peppermint steps in with the introduction of winter. It is really a fun jelly to use on fresh bread (What isn't good on fresh bread?!) or even on pork chops.
The Essential Ingredients You Need
4 cups apple Juice
1 teaspoon lemon juice
6 tablespoons pectin
1 tablespoon whole cloves
½ teaspoon butter (optional)
5 cups sugar
½ teaspoon peppermint extract
Step-by-Step Guidance
Combine the juices, pectin, cloves, and butter in a large pot and bring it to a boil.
Add all the sugar at once and bring the mixture back to boil.
Boil for 1 minute.
Remove the jelly from the heat and add the peppermint extract.
Yield: 6 Half-Pints of Spiced apple mint jelly
Using a jar funnel with a strainer as filling the jars to remove the whole cloves. Pour hot jelly into hot jars leaving ¼ inch of headspace. Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe off the rim of the jars. Place the lids and rings on and process for 10 minutes in a boiling water bath at sea level or adjust for your elevation.
After the full processing time, turn off the heat, remove the water bath lid and allow the water to cool for 5 minutes. Remove the jars from the water bath. Allow them to sit on the counter for 24 hours then check if they sealed properly. The center will be indented down if they are. If not, place any unsealed jars in the refrigerator and use them in the next 3 weeks.
Place the sealed jars in a cool, dry area and use them within the next 3 years. After that, the nutritional value begins to decrease.
If you have any questions about how to use a boiling water canner take a look at our canning basics videos.
