Using Jams and Jellies

So you now have lots of jams and jellies. It does not matter if you made the jams yourself or bought it at the store. You can use jam many ways other than just for sandwiches.

Here are some things I have done with my surplus of Jams and Jellies.

Add a few tablespoons to pancake batter, a little goes a long way and you do not have whole big berries or fruit. It is a nice treat away from plain pancakes, hotcakes, griddle cakes.

Add a few tablespoons or a bit more to plain muffin mix. instead of using frozen, dried or fresh berries.


Many people use jams for filling when making cookies, bars, and such.

You can use it as a glaze on meats. All depends on what kind of jam you have and what meat you are using.

You can add a bit to plain yogurts, to add flavor to it!

Add some to a bowl of oatmeal. It will give it a bit of flavor and easier to eat for some people!

Warm up some jam and add over Ice cream! Oh so good!

Use jam in between cake layers, you know you want the raspberry filling in your cakes!

Warm up the jam or jelly and thin it down a bit and make flavored syrup for pancakes, waffles, and french toast.

Of course there is toast, bread, sandwiches, on biscuits, on pancakes. Where ever you add fruit you can add jams and jellies as a substitution in many recipes!  

Peanut Butter and Jelly

This is the time of year that Peanut Butter and Jams and Jellies go on sale, Just in time for back to school. This is the perfect time to add Peanut Butter and Jams and the like to your Food Storage.

There are many people who make their own Jams and Jellies. Please make, store and put away. There is nothing like a fresh jams and jellies cooking in the pot before your jar them up. My Children always loved the fresh foam on the jam and eat it with fresh homemade bread!

Peanut Butter is a quick and easy thing to add to your 72 hour kits, and has a shelf life that does not need to refrigerated in times of emergency. The going shelf life of peanut butter is; The official is use by date. Many people that have stored peanut butter: unopened jars that have been kept in a cool, dry, dark place can last between 2-5 years after the used by date. Again this is a personal choice and you do with it what you want to. Always smell your peanut butter you will know by the nose that it is no longer good to eat.

Jams and Jellies are made with sugar and the like. They officially have a used by date on prepackage items. The general rule is about 1 maybe 2 years. It all depends on what it is, how it was made and if it has sugar or sugar free.

Do a simple search, check the websites for the brands you use and see what the manufacturer has to say all about it. When you make your own the general rule of thumb is use it with in a year. I have used jams I have put up for up to 5 years later. Check the seals, and make sure they are not molding or spoiling.

This is the time of year I like to remind people to add a few extra jars to food storage. 

Now if your family has a peanut allergy sufferer you will not want to add peanut butter to your storage as it will be a hazard to the family member.

As with any food storage it is best to use up what you have, replace as needed. Wasting food and throwing it out is a waste of money. Always use the first in first out method. Always date for incoming food on when you added it to your food storage and place behind what you already have on your shelves. Use your food storage and you will never have to throw out food, and your food will be used long before the use by dates!