Old Fashion Yellow Plum Preserves Recipe

A taste of childhood nostalgia! This recipe for Old Fashioned Yellow Plum Preserves captures the magic of homemade goodness. Inspired by a family tradition of picking wild plums, this recipe creates a luscious plum preserve – either a thick, syrup-like consistency perfect for ice cream or toast, or a jammy delight, depending on your cooking time. Easily adaptable, you can use yellow plums or Italian plums, and even add a touch of brandy for an adult twist (optional). Get ready to savor this simple yet extraordinary recipe!

Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 35 mins

Calories 582.4 kcal

Protein 0g

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The Forktionary Kitchen Team

Adapted from Food.com, then tested & standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Old Fashion Yellow Plum Preserves

4 pounds yellow plums (or Italian plums)
4 cups granulated sugar
Lemon Juice
1 cup water

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How to Make Old Fashion Yellow Plum Preserves

Wash and pit 4 pounds of yellow plums (or Italian plums). Roughly chop the plums.
In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, combine the chopped plums, 4 cups of sugar, and 1 cup of water. Stir well to combine.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Continue to boil until the sugar is completely dissolved.
Increase the heat to medium-high and cook rapidly, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Cook for approximately 15-20 minutes for a syrup-like consistency, or 25-30 minutes for a jam-like consistency. Use a candy thermometer to check for the desired consistency. (Jelly stage for jam is typically 220°F.)
(Optional for adults) Stir in 4 tablespoons of brandy.
Remove from heat and skim off any foam.
Carefully ladle the hot preserves into sterilized jars, leaving ½ inch headspace.
Wipe the jar rims clean, and seal with lids and rings.
Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes (for pints) or 15 minutes (for quarts) to ensure safe sealing.