Description
This Pineapple Upside Down Cake Jam is a luscious, tropical twist on the classic dessert, capturing the sweet and tangy flavors of fresh pineapple, brown sugar, and warm spices in a thick, spreadable jam. Perfect for spreading on toast, dolloping on yogurt, or using as a cake topping, it offers a delightful balance of sweetness and spice with a rich, buttery finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Jam Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh pineapple, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thicker consistency)
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon butter (optional, for extra richness)
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the chopped pineapple, brown sugar, white sugar, lemon juice, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir well to mix all the flavors evenly.
- Heat Mixture: Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally. Allow the mixture to simmer gently as the sugars dissolve completely, about 5 minutes.
- Thicken Jam: In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch with water to form a smooth slurry. Slowly pour this into the simmering pineapple mixture while stirring constantly. Continue to cook and stir for 5-7 minutes until the jam thickens to your desired consistency.
- Blend (Optional): For a smoother texture, use an immersion blender to blend the jam at this stage until it reaches your preferred smoothness.
- Add Butter: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the tablespoon of butter, if using, to add extra richness and depth to the jam.
- Cool and Store: Let the jam cool slightly before transferring it to sterilized jars. Seal the jars and refrigerate. The jam keeps well in the fridge for 2-3 weeks or can be canned for longer-term preservation.
Notes
- For a thicker jam, be sure to use the cornstarch slurry as directed.
- If you prefer a chunkier jam, skip the blending step.
- Use fresh, ripe pineapple for the best natural sweetness and flavor.
- This jam is fantastic as a spread for bread, a topping for pancakes or yogurt, or as an ingredient in desserts.
- Ensure jars are properly sterilized if you plan to can the jam for longer storage.
