Oven-Baked Plum Jam
Recently, a friend shared her secret of making plum jam in the oven. Shortly after, I saw the same technique from an Italian lady and I couldn’t resist trying it myself. The first batch exceeded my expectations with its vibrant color, rich taste, and perfect texture, all achieved with less sugar and minimal effort.
Give this innovative method a try, at least in a small quantity. It requires significantly less sugar than traditional jam-making methods, and you don’t have to constantly hover over the stove. The plum jam also includes cinnamon, an optional component, that adds a delightful aroma.
Adjust the size of the baking tray according to your fruit quantity. Mine is 25x35cm and is perfect for approximately 2 kg of plums. It's best not to exceed this amount; check the pictures for more details.
First, prepare your jam jars by washing and sterilizing them.
I recommend placing them in the oven for 10 minutes at 120 degrees Celsius. Be cautious not to leave them longer to avoid damaging the lids.
Note that I'm using a 25x35cm tray with a bit of depth.
This size is ideal for precisely 2 kg of plums, striking a balance - not too much or too little.
Adjust your quantities according to these measurements.
Next, pit the washed plums and cut them into halves or quarters, then place them in the prepared tray.
Add 700g of sugar and cinnamon to the plums, if desired.
Thoroughly mix the ingredients with a spoon and place the tray in an oven preheated to 200 degrees Celsius for 90 minutes.
You can stir the tray contents once during this time, but it's not necessary.
Here is how the jam looks after 90 minutes.
For a smoother consistency, blend the plums briefly using an immersion blender.
I prefer a chunkier texture, so I didn't blend it too much.
Return the tray to the oven for an additional 10 minutes.
Finally, ladle the hot jam into the prepared jars and secure the lids tightly.
From 2 kg of plums, I made 7 jars of 200ml each, totaling about 1400g. Let them cool completely before tasting and storing them in your pantry.
Enjoy your meal!
