Apple Maple Jam

Apple maple jam is a lovely homemade preserve combining tender apples, the rich sweetness of maple and a fragrant blend of warm spices. With cinnamon, cardamom and ginger, this soft-set jam is a little different from traditional apple preserves.

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Hey folks – I hope you all are doing well!

I have another seasonal preserve to share today. This one brings together two ingredients I particularly enjoy during the cooler months: apples and maple. The result is a warmly spiced, spoonable jam that works just as well on morning toast as it does alongside a cheese board. So, let’s dive into this spiced maple apple spread.

Apple Maple Jam: When Apples Meet Maple and Warm Spice

Apples and Maple – A Naturally Delicious Combination

Apples and maple are a lovely pairing. They bring natural fruity sweetness and a pleasant tartness, while maple adds a deeper, more rounded flavour. Together, they create a comforting combination without needing an elaborate list of ingredients.

What makes this homemade apple jam distinctive is that maple isn’t simply an optional flavouring. It is one of the main sweeteners, giving the finished preserve its characteristic taste. The result is a lovely apple maple spread with a balance of fruity sweetness and gentle spice.

Two Ways to Sweeten the Jam

This recipe uses two forms of maple sweetness: maple sugar and maple syrup. I like this combination because it brings together the concentrated flavour of maple sugar with the familiar richness of maple syrup.

There is also a simpler alternative if you don’t have both ingredients:

• Maple sugar and maple syrup: Use 1/2 cup maple sugar and 1/2 cup maple syrup for the tested combination. This version gives the jam a rounded maple flavour.
• Maple sugar only: Replace both with 1 cup maple sugar if you prefer to use a single sweetener. It’s a straightforward way to make apple jam with maple sugar.

The second option is a convenient alternative, although the flavour and consistency may differ slightly. Either way, maple remains the defining ingredient rather than just a subtle background note.

Cinnamon, Cardamom and Ginger – The Warm Spice Trio

I particularly like the combination of cinnamon, cardamom and ginger here. These spices complement the apples and maple without making the preserve taste like a heavily spiced pie filling.

• Cinnamon: Brings familiar warmth and pairs naturally with cooked apples.
• Cardamom: Adds an aromatic, slightly floral character that makes this spiced apple jam more distinctive.
• Ginger: Contributes a gentle warmth and a little brightness.
• Anise: This is optional, but a small amount can introduce another aromatic dimension if you enjoy its distinctive flavour.

You can certainly adjust the optional anise to your preference, but I would keep the main three spices together. They create a particularly pleasant balance.

A Soft-Set Apple and Maple Jam, Not a Firm Jelly

One detail worth mentioning is the final texture. This isn’t meant to be a firm, gelatinous preserve that holds its shape when spooned out. Instead, the finished jam is soft, thick and spoonable, with a less pronounced set.

I actually enjoy this consistency. It makes the apple maple spread particularly versatile, whether you’re spreading it over toast, spooning it onto pancakes or serving it alongside cheese. Think of it as a soft-set apple preserve rather than a jelly-like jam.

Ingredients for Apple Maple Jam with Warm Spices

You only need a handful of ingredients for this maple apple jam, but each one contributes to its flavour and consistency.

• Apples: The fruity foundation of the recipe. Use apples with a pleasant balance of sweetness and acidity.
• Maple sugar: Provides concentrated maple flavour and sweetness. It is also the only sweetener in the alternative version.
• Maple syrup: Adds another layer of maple character and contributes moisture to the mixture.
• Water: Helps the apples begin cooking and release their juices.
• Lemon juice: Brings acidity to balance the sweetness and brighten the overall flavour.
• Cinnamon, cardamom and ginger: The main spices that give the jam its warm, aromatic character.
• Anise: Optional, for a more distinctive aromatic note.
• Pectin: Helps the preserve develop some structure without making it firmly set.

Why Add Pectin to Apple Jam?

Apples naturally contain pectin, which helps fruit preserves develop their structure. However, the amount varies depending on the apple variety and ripeness. Adding a small quantity of pectin can help the mixture thicken and achieve a more consistent result.

For this recipe, I added 1 teaspoon of pectin. The intention isn’t to create a firm set, but to give the cooked apples a little more body while keeping the final texture soft and spoonable.

The combination of maple sugar and syrup is particularly nice. If you enjoy the flavour of maple syrup in fruit preserves, this apple jam with maple syrup is a lovely option. The maple sugar-only alternative is handy when you want to keep the ingredient list even shorter.

How to Make Apple Maple Jam

Soften the apples. Combine 750 g of apples with 1/3 cup of water and 1–2 tablespoons of lemon juice in a saucepan. Simmer over medium-low heat for approximately 10 minutes, allowing the apples to soften and release their juices. This initial cooking stage prepares the fruit for the longer simmer.

Add the maple and spices. Stir in 1/2 cup of maple sugar and 1/2 cup of maple syrup, or use 1 cup of maple sugar instead. Add 1/2 teaspoon each of cinnamon and cardamom, followed by 1/4 teaspoon of ginger. Add anise if desired, then stir to distribute the sweeteners and spices.

Simmer until soft-set. Continue simmering for approximately 40–45 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon of pectin according to the directions for your particular pectin. The finished mixture should be thickened but still soft and spoonable, rather than firm or jelly-like.

This recipe makes approximately 2–2 1/2 cups of jam.

How to Enjoy Apple Maple Jam

There are plenty of ways to enjoy this warmly spiced apple jam with maple sugar beyond the usual morning toast.

• Breakfast: Spread it over toast, biscuits or freshly baked bread.
• Pancakes and waffles: Spoon a little over pancakes, waffles or French toast.
• Cheese boards: Pair it with aged cheddar, Brie or other creamy and savoury cheeses.
• Baking: Use it as a filling or topping for simple cakes, pastries and other baked treats.
• Yogurt and oatmeal: Add a spoonful to plain yogurt or warm oatmeal for a little maple sweetness and spice.

The sweetness of the apples and maple, along with the aromatic spices, makes a lovely contrast to savoury cheeses. It’s a nice way to give a simple cheese board a seasonal touch.

How to Store Apple Maple Jam

Because this apple maple jam contains less sugar than traditional preserves, it is not shelf-stable and should always be refrigerated. Do not store it at room temperature or treat it like a traditional canned jam.

• Refrigerate: Transfer the cooled jam to a clean, airtight jar and keep it refrigerated. Use within 2–3 weeks.
• Keep it chilled: Return the jar to the refrigerator after each use.
• No pantry storage: This recipe has not been developed or tested for shelf-stable canning.

More Homemade Jams and Spreads

If you enjoy making homemade preserves, explore more of my jams and spreads for seasonal fruit combinations and other ways to enjoy them throughout the year.

• Maple Fig Jam (With Lemon and Vanilla)
• Apple Rosehip Jam Recipe
• Homemade Chestnut Jam with Brandy and Warm Spices
• Boozy Fig Jam for Holidays and Beyond
• Festive Pear Brandy Jam – A Less-Sweet Holiday Recipe
• Cointreau Orange Vanilla Marmalade – A Festive Boozy Preserve

I’d love for you to try this soft apple jam with maple and warm spices. If you give the recipe a go, please share your results in the comments, message me on Instagram, or post your photos with the hashtag #havocinthekitchen. I look forward to seeing your creations and hearing your thoughts!

Cheers!