Crabapple Preserves

Capture the essence of autumn's bounty with these delightful Crabapple Preserves, a timeless recipe that transforms tart, jewel-like crabapples into a rich, velvety spread bursting with sweet-tangy flavor. Made with simple pantry staples like sugar, water, and a splash of lemon juice, this small-batch recipe utilizes the natural pectin found in the fruit for a luscious texture, making it perfect for beginners and seasoned preserve-makers alike. With just a few steps—simmering, straining, and slow cooking—you’ll create a versatile preserve that pairs beautifully with everything from fresh biscuits to charcuterie boards. Plus, with proper canning techniques, this stunning preserve can be stored for up to a year, making it an ideal seasonal gift or pantry staple. Perfect for adding a taste of nostalgia to your breakfast table, this recipe celebrates the natural beauty and flavor of crabapples while capturing the essence of farm-fresh simplicity.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 4 pounds crabapples
• 3 cups sugar
• 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Directions

Step 1

Wash the crabapples thoroughly to remove any dirt or residue. Remove stems and blossom ends but leave the cores intact, as they contain natural pectin.

Step 2

In a large pot, combine the crabapples and water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until the crabapples are soft and have started to break apart.

Step 3

Use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to strain the cooked crabapples, pressing gently to extract as much juice as possible. Discard the solids.

Step 4

Return the strained juice to the pot and add the sugar and lemon juice. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.

Step 5

Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20-30 minutes, or until the mixture thickens and reaches the desired gel-like consistency. You can check this by placing a small amount of the preserve on a chilled plate—if it wrinkles when pushed, it’s ready.

Step 6

Carefully ladle the hot preserves into sterilized jars, leaving about 1/4 inch of headspace at the top. Wipe the rims clean, seal with lids, and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.

Step 7

Allow the jars to cool undisturbed for 12-24 hours. Check that the lids have sealed properly by pressing down in the center—if it doesn’t pop back, the jar is sealed. Store sealed jars in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2924.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3356.1

Total Fat 5.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 0.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 38.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 853.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 43.6g	0%
Total Sugars 781.0g
Protein 5.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 145.5mg	0%
Iron 2.1mg	0%
Potassium 1984.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 1.4%

Protein: 0.6%

Carbs: 97.9%