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Scandinavian-inspired, Queen's Jam is a sweet blueberry-studded, raspberry confection. It's easy to make (no canning skills needed), fabulous on toast, scones, biscuits, waffles, pancakes etc. and so delicious, it's worthy of royalty!
I love recipes with a fun name and an interesting history. And if they're also incredibly delicious and super easy to make, it rings all my bells! So you can imagine, having my freezer and refrigerator stocked with glistening, crimson jars of this beautiful Queen's Jam makes me a happy camper. And those who have been recipients of this heavenly sweet confection seem to feel the same way!
This recipe actually started with an email from a reader. She asked if I had a blueberry freezer jam recipe. I've made blueberry jam in the past, but it's not been one of my favorites due to the abundance of blueberry skins in the jam. You can use a food processor to remedy that problem but that adds another step and another dirty dish to wash. So I did a little research and discovered this lovely and delicious Queen's Jam, a combination of raspberries and blueberries.
The history of Queen's jam is not super clear with most sources saying it's Swedish-inspired and a few claiming it has Finnish origins. From doing a bit of research, it sounds like it was originally made with wild raspberries and blueberries, but these days it seems there are a number of Swedish companies that make and distribute Queen's Jam. I even found it for sale on Amazon, imported from Sweden and describing it as "a most balanced marriage of two berries, raspberries and wild blueberries."
A royal blend
Where does the "queen's" part come in? I'm not really sure, just assuming that this jam is so delicious it's worthy of royalty. It could also be the color. When you combine raspberries and blueberries, the result is a very regal crimson hue. With these two attributes, I think this jam deserves its name! And any way you look at it, the name Queen's Jam is much more interesting and intriguing than Raspberry-Blueberry Jam, right?
A royal name deserves a royal appearance
This delicious Queen's jam makes a lovely gift to give to a friend, neighbor, co-worker, etc. Give the jam on its own or whip up a batch of these Buttermilk Biscuits, these Sugar-Topped Scones or these Brioche Dinner Rolls (all from our Ridiculously Easy Series) to pair perfectly with this royal jam.
With such a fun name, I decided that this jam definitely needed a pretty label to dress it up. Feel free to leave me a comment below if you'd like a printable PDF of these labels for yourself. They're easy to print up and cut out. The PDF can also be used with Avery sticky labels. Either glue the labels to the top or side of your jars or slip a label right on top of the lid of a mason jelly jar and screw on the band.
A few important tricks
Freezer jam can have issues with graininess and not setting (or thickening) well. I've discovered, after doing lots of testing and experimenting that not dissolving the sugar thoroughly can cause both of these problems in freezer jam. Most freezer jam recipes call for stirring the fruit and sugar together, adding the pectin, stirring again and then it's ready to be ladled into jars.
I've found that following these directions can cause grainy, loose (syrupy) results. A tiny little trick and a bit of extra time makes all the difference in the world. I simply microwave the sugar/fruit mixture for 3 minutes. The mixture gets hot, causing the sugar to dissolve, but the fresh flavor of the fruit is not affected. After the microwave stint, I stir the jam and then let it sit while taking care of other things. Every now and then I give it another good stir.
A little burst of blueberry in each delicious bite
I believe, from what I've read, that Queen's jam traditionally is a half and half mix of raspberries and blueberries. I took some liberty in making my recipe a little different. I use 1½ cups of crushed raspberries and ½ cup of crushed blueberries since the crushed blueberries aren't nearly as pretty as the raspberries. Just before ladling the jam into jars, I add an additional cup of whole blueberries. This gives you a little burst of blueberry in each spoonful of jam.
I've had a few jars of Queen's Jam in the refrigerator for about 10 days now and the blueberries have remained plump and pretty. I've also frozen some with delicious results after thawing.
Make someone's day!
Want to brighten someone's day and make them feel special (like royalty)? Make a batch of this delightful Queen's Jam, ladle it into jars and attach a pretty little label to identify and describe the delicious jam. Add a loaf of homemade bread or one of the Ridiculously Easy recipes listed above and you'll have a friend for life! If you don't have time to bake, pick up some good English muffins or a package of crumpets (Trader Joes has wonderful crumpets) for a fabulous treat.
Café Tips for making this Queen's Jam
- This recipe calls for Certo. Certo is a liquid fruit pectin that’s available at most larger grocery stores and online. It’s usually found in the same aisle that has canning jars, lids, etc. If you have trouble finding it, ask at the front desk as stores will stock it in different areas.
- Liquid and dry pectins are not interchangeable.
- You can use fresh or frozen raspberries for this jam. Frozen raspberries generally come in 12-ounce bags. One bag should be enough to equal 1½ cups of crushed berries. You'll need about a cup of blueberries to equal ½ cup of crushed blueberries
- Jam and jelly making is an exact science meaning you need to measure very carefully to ensure good results. I love improvising with recipes but I’ve learned it doesn’t work well (without lots of trial and error) with jam (and jelly).
- Freezer jam is not processed in a water bath, so it’s not stable at room temperature like traditional jam that can be kept in the pantry before it’s opened. If you’re giving this raspberry freezer jam as a gift, be sure to tell the recipient that it should be stored in the refrigerator (or freezer for long term storage). It's fine to have it out at room temperature for and hour or two while serving.
- In addition to serving this Queen's Jam on biscuits, scones, toast, etc. we love it on my Ridiculously Easy Seeded Focaccia. I slice it thick, butter it lightly then toast it until golden in a sauté pan. So… good!
- I love to use pretty jars for my jams and jellies. These Weck Tulip Jars are one of my favorites.
- I also really like these French-made jars by Quattro Stagioni.
- If you'd like the PDF for the labels pictured above, just leave me a comment below and I will email it to you.
Thought for the day:
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians: 18
What we're listening to for inspiration:
If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and leave a star rating and review! It’s so helpful to other readers to hear other’s results and ideas for variations.
- 1 ½ cups crushed raspberries 1 12-ounce bag of frozen raspberries or about 2 cups of fresh raspberries
- ½ cup crushed blueberries about 1 cups of fresh berries
- 4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 pouch CERTO liquid fruit pectin
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 heaping cup fresh blueberries
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Wash glass jars or plastic containers and lids with hot soapy water. Rinse well then dry thoroughly. (I like to run mine through the dishwasher.)
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Crush the raspberries thoroughly (I use a potato masher for this). Measure exactly 1 ½ cups of the crushed berries into a large microwave-safe bowl.
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Crush the blueberries with a fork or potato masher. Measure exactly ½ cup into the bowl with the raspberries.
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Stir in sugar until thoroughly combined. Scrape sides of the bowl to incorporate sugar crystals along the edges.
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Place the bowl in the microwave on high power for 3 minutes. (Mixture will not cook but will become warm enough for sugar to dissolve). Remove from microwave and stir well for another minute.
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Allow the fruit/sugar mixture to sit for 2 hours, giving it a good stir about every 30 minutes. Take a taste to make sure the sugar is dissolved. If it still has a bit of a grainy texture, stir for another minute or two until sugar is well-dissolved. When the sugar is well-dissolved the mixture will actually deepen in color and lose it's "cloudiness". That's when you're ready for the next step.
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Mix pectin and lemon juice. Add to fruit/sugar mixture; stir for 3 minutes. (Don’t cheat. Set a timer!)
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Add one rounded cupful of fresh blueberries
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Fill containers to within ½ inch of tops. Wipe off top edges of containers and cover with lids. Let stand at room temperature for 24 hours.
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The jam is now ready to use. Store in refrigerator up to 2 weeks or freeze extra containers up to 1 year. Thaw in the refrigerator before using.
See Café Tips above for more detailed instructions and further tips.
Adapted from Kraft.
Makes 5 cups of jam.
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Vicky East says
Picked raspberries and blueberries this week and came across this recipe. It's absolutely delicious. Will definitely be something I will now make every year at this time to add to all my other jams and jellies.
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Thanks, Vicky! So glad you enjoyed this.
Richard Scott says
High Chris
I was gifted a half flat of raspberries and blueberries so I'm going to do queens jam. I would love a copy of the pdf files for the labels.
Thank you
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
That's great, Richard! We will send the labels your way.
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Hi Richard, the labels were returned. It says the email was blocked because of spam content.
Terry says
Hi Chris! I hope you and yours are having a blessed Sunday.
I would love the pdf for the labels. Thanks so much!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sending them your way, Terry!
Sheila Meehan says
This looks delicious! May I please have a copy of the printable labels? Thank you.
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sending them your way, Sheila!
Carole says
Please labels for Queen's Jam. Thanks!
Carole Coushaine says
Please send labels for Queen's Jam. Thanks!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Carole!
Marilyn says
This jam looks delicious. Please send me the labels.
Thanks so much.
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sending them your way, Marilyn!
Cheryl Neruda says
Oh, Yes! Please! I would like a printable PDF of these labels for the Queen's Jam! What a great addition to a formal tea party!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Cheryl!
Deborah Lane says
Oh, so good! Please send me the link for your pretty labels. Thank you
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sending them your way, Deborah!
Linda says
Just made tonight! Picked raspberries yesterday and blueberries today! Can’t wait to try after it sets overnight. May I have label
Please
Thanks!
Linda
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Linda!
Shirley Hayes says
Would you please send the label for Queen's Jam? Thanks. Love your recipes!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Thanks, Shirley! Sending them your way.
Linda Mount says
Please send me the labels. Thanks you so much enjoying your recipes
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Linda!
Barbara says
Please send me label for Queen’s Jam?
Thanks very much
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Barbara!
Diane says
I think this is the best of all the freezer jam recipes. Amazing!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Thanks, Diane!
Linda Mount says
May I please have the label for the habanero recipe, also the queens jam recipe
Thank you
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Hi Linda, which habanero recipe are you interest in? We have a couple. Just leave a comment on that post to get the labels. We will send the labels for the Queen's Jam!
Diane says
Thank you for this yummy recipe-as always, delicious! Please may I have the labels?
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Diane!
Dotti says
May I have the labels please?
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Dotti!
Augustine says
Please May I have the labels for Queens jam? Raspberry and blueberry. I made it last year and we all love it - delicious and healthy🙃
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
That's great, Augustine! We will send the labels.
Blåman Bärsson says
There is a language confusion going on here. The blueberries used here are of the North American variety.
Swedish "Blåbär" [blueberries] are actually called Bilberries in English and are quite different.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks for the clarification, Blåman. This jam is just my interpretation of Queen's Jam with ingredients we can find here in the US. I'm sure it would be better with Swedish "Blåbär" but it's delicious nevertheless!
Joyce Holway says
Looking forward to making this recipe and sharing it with friends and family. Please send me the PDF for the labels. I can't wait for the season to come so I can put this all together. Thank you!
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Joyce!
Robin Marin says
Hi Chris,
Ramping up to make several batches of Queen’s Jam. Please send PDF for labels . Have made seveeal batches in the last couple years—all were very well received!
Thanks,
Robin Marin
Chris Scheuer says
That's great, Robin! We will send the labels.
Kathryn says
Can’t wait to try this one. I’m making and gifting your jam like crazy. Please send the labels. Merci!
Chris Scheuer says
I love that, Kathryn! Sending the labels your way.
Elizabeth Britten says
Made today, so yummy. Can I get the link for the labels.
Thank you
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Elizabeth!
Della Stevens says
Me finding this recipe today brings tears . It was meant for me to find it. Today our dear Queen Elizabeth II passed away at the age of 96.
My favorite jams/jellies are raspberry and Blueberry.
I would love to have the link to the label please.
Chris Scheuer says
I love that you found this today, Della. We will send the labels your way.
Karen says
I tried this recipe. Great idea. Used fresh picked of both.
Tastes amazing. Would love the PDF for the label.
Chris Scheuer says
That's great, Karen! We will send the labels.
Natalie Russo says
Can I please get the template for the Queen's Jam (Raspberry Blueberry Jam)
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Natalie!
Heidi says
This looks amazing! I just picked about 5lbs of raspberries and want to try this recipe! I would love the link to the labels - thanks!!
Chris Scheuer says
That's great, Heidi! We will send them your way 🙂
Evangeline says
Hi Chris! I’d love to try to make this beautiful jam too! Will you please send a link to the labels for the jars? Thanks so much!
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Evangeline!