Jam Bread
A flavorful jam bread baked in jars, featuring blueberries and nuts, with warm spices. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or teatime, appealing to fruit and nut lovers.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cream together shortening and sugar.
- Beat eggs and water into the mixture.
- Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and cloves.
- Add to the sugar mixture and mix well.
- Add nuts and blueberries.
- Mix gently.
- Spray eight 1-pint, wide-mouthed canning jars with nonstick cooking spray.
- Half fill jars with the batter and place on a cookie sheet.
- Bake in jars at 325°F for 45 minutes.
- Allow to cool slightly and seal tightly with sterilized lids.
- When ready to serve, spoon out of jars.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter texture, consider replacing half of the shortening with unsweetened applesauce. If you prefer, walnuts or pecans can be substituted for the chopped nuts. Ensure your blueberries are fresh or frozen without added sugar. Mixing the dry ingredients separately helps prevent clumping and ensures an even distribution of flavors throughout the batter.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Jam Bread warm, straight from the jar, or let it cool and slice for a delightful breakfast treat. It pairs beautifully with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert. Enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea, or alongside a light salad for a refreshing brunch option.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover Jam Bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, it can be frozen for up to three months. To reheat, simply warm individual servings in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or place in an oven at 350°F until warmed through, approximately 10-15 minutes.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Jam Bread contains roughly 652 calories, with 3g protein, 35g carbohydrates, and 58g fat. It is a good source of calcium (15% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1789mg per serving (78% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other fruits instead of blueberries?
Yes, you can substitute blueberries with other fruits like raspberries, chopped strawberries, or even peaches. Just ensure that the fruit is not too watery, which could affect the batter's consistency. Adjust the sugar accordingly if using sweeter fruits.
How can I ensure my bread bakes evenly in the jars?
To ensure even baking, make sure to fill the jars only halfway to allow the batter room to rise. Place the jars on a cookie sheet to catch any overflow and ensure good heat circulation. Rotate the jars halfway through baking for uniform results.
Can I make this recipe without eggs?
Absolutely! You can substitute each egg with 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce or a flaxseed meal mixture (1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal mixed with 2.5 tablespoons of water, let it sit for a few minutes). This will help maintain the moisture and binding properties of the bread.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).