Description
This dandelion jelly is a delightful treat made from fresh dandelion petals, perfect for spreading on toast or using in desserts.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups Dandelion Petals (Gather from pesticide-free areas for the best taste.)
- 4 cups Boiling Water (Use freshly boiled water that’s cooled slightly before steeping.)
- 1/4 cups Lemon Juice (Freshly squeezed juice is optimal for flavor.)
- 4 cups Granulated Sugar (Sweetens the jelly and aids in preservation.)
- Powdered Pectin (Optional, check package for quantity recommendations.)
- Unsalted Butter (Optional, adds during cooking to help reduce foaming.)
Instructions
- Gather fresh dandelion petals, rinse under cold water, and place in a heatproof container. Pour 4 cups of boiling water over the petals, cover, and steep for 8-12 hours.
- Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a large pot, discarding the petals, to obtain a bright yellow liquid.
- Combine the strained dandelion infusion with 1/4 cup of lemon juice in the pot. If using pectin, add it according to package instructions.
- Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly to prevent sticking.
- Gradually add 4 cups of granulated sugar while stirring until completely dissolved, and the mixture becomes glossy.
- Boil intensely for 10-15 minutes, then check for the setting point using a candy thermometer or the wrinkle test.
- Remove from heat, skim off any foam, and ladle hot jelly into sterilized jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace.
- Process the jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes to seal properly.
- Cool jars on a towel or cooling rack and check seals after 24 hours.
- Store sealed jars in a cool, dark place for up to one year; refrigerate opened jars and consume within 3-4 weeks.
Notes
- Make sure to gather dandelion petals from areas that have not been treated with pesticides for the best flavor.
- Adjust the amount of sugar and pectin according to your taste preference and desired jelly consistency.
- Prep Time: 12 hours
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Jelly
- Method: Canning
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg