If you’re craving a bright, fresh, and irresistibly fruity spread that you can whip up in no time, the 15 Minute Apricot Raspberry Preserves Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. Bursting with the natural sweetness of ripe apricots balanced by the gentle tartness of raspberries, this preserve is a delightful way to elevate your breakfasts, snacks, or even desserts. With just a handful of simple ingredients and very little time, you get a beautifully textured jam that tastes like sunshine in a jar.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, quality ingredients is all you need to make this vibrant preserve. Each component plays a key role in delivering the perfect balance of flavor, sweetness, and color.
- Ripe apricots: Choose firm but juicy apricots for the best texture and natural sweetness.
- Lemon juice: Adds brightness and helps preserve the color of the fruit.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetener that enhances flavor and helps with the preserve’s consistency.
- Fresh raspberries (optional): These bring a lovely pop of tartness and deep red color to the preserves.
How to Make 15 Minute Apricot Raspberry Preserves Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Pulse the Apricots
Start by placing the halved and pitted apricots in your food processor along with the lemon juice and granulated sugar. Pulse several times until the apricots are coarsely chopped—this texture will give you preserves that still feel homemade and rustic rather than overly smooth. The lemon juice not only enhances the fruit’s natural flavor but also helps keep the vibrant color intact.
Step 2: Simmer the Apricot Mixture
Transfer your apricot mixture to a saucepan over medium heat. Bring it to a gentle boil and let it cook uncovered for about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the mixture from sticking or burning on the bottom. Keep an eye on it, and feel free to add a bit more sugar if your apricots are less sweet; this tweak lets you customize the preserve perfectly to your liking.
Step 3: Add Raspberries and Finish Cooking
Finally, stir in the fresh raspberries and simmer the mixture for another 1 to 2 minutes until the raspberries soften and warm through. This final step adds that signature burst of raspberry tartness and a beautiful red hue that makes your preserves both delicious and visually stunning. Then, just set the preserves aside to cool to room temperature before transferring to the fridge for storage.
How to Serve 15 Minute Apricot Raspberry Preserves Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a few fresh raspberries or a small sprig of mint over the preserves when serving to add a fresh, elegant touch. Lightly toasted nuts like almonds or pistachios also make a lovely crunchy contrast when paired on top of a smear.
Side Dishes
This preserve pairs beautifully with warm, buttered toast or flaky biscuits for breakfast, but don’t stop there! Serve it alongside creamy cheese plates featuring brie or goat cheese, or use it as a topping on vanilla yogurt or cottage cheese for a refreshing snack.
Creative Ways to Present
Try swirling the preserves through oatmeal or pancake batter before cooking for a fruity surprise in every bite. You can also dollop it over ice cream or spoon it into thumbprint cookies before baking, adding that irresistible homemade charm to your desserts.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After making your 15 Minute Apricot Raspberry Preserves Recipe, store any leftovers in a clean, airtight container in the refrigerator. The preserves will keep fresh and flavorful for about a week, making it easy to enjoy little bursts of fruit all week long.
Freezing
If you want to keep your preserves longer, they freeze beautifully. Pour the preserves into a freezer-safe jar or container with some headspace to allow for expansion. Frozen preserves can last up to 3 months without losing their delightful flavor or texture.
Reheating
When you’re ready to enjoy frozen preserves, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat if desired, stirring occasionally until warmed through—perfect for spreading warmth and sweetness on your morning toast.
FAQs
Can I use frozen raspberries instead of fresh?
Absolutely! Frozen raspberries work well, just add them at the same point in the cooking process and let them thaw and soften in the warm preserves.
Do I need to sterilize jars if I am not canning the preserves?
If you plan to keep the preserves refrigerated and consumed within a week, sterilizing jars isn’t necessary, but it’s always good practice to use clean containers.
Can I make this recipe without a food processor?
Yes, you can finely chop the apricots by hand, but a food processor speeds things up and gives a consistent texture.
How sweet should the preserves be?
That’s totally up to you! Start with the recommended sugar and adjust after tasting the cooked apricot mixture before adding the raspberries.
Can I double the recipe?
Definitely. Just make sure your pot is large enough and you adjust cooking times slightly to ensure proper boiling and thickening.
Final Thoughts
This 15 Minute Apricot Raspberry Preserves Recipe has quickly become one of my favorite easy homemade jams to make and share. Its freshness, simplicity, and incredible flavor make it perfect for everything from breakfast spreads to special treats. Give it a try—you’ll love how effortlessly you can bring a touch of homemade sunshine into your kitchen and onto your table.
Print
15 Minute Apricot Raspberry Preserves Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 pint (2 cups)
- Category: Preserves and Jams
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This quick and easy Apricot Raspberry Preserves recipe yields a deliciously fruity and slightly tart preserve that is perfect for spreading on toast or adding to desserts. In just 15 minutes, using ripe apricots, fresh raspberries, lemon juice, and sugar, you can create a fresh homemade preserve that tastes vibrant and natural. The stovetop cooking process gently thickens the fruit mixture while maintaining a fresh fruit flavor and texture.
Ingredients
Fruit
- 1 lb ripe apricots, halved and pitted
- 1/2 cup fresh raspberries (optional)
Others
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Pulse Apricots: In the bowl of a food processor, add the pitted apricots, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, and 1/3 cup granulated sugar. Pulse several times until the apricots are coarsely chopped but not completely pureed, preserving some texture.
- Cook Apricot Mixture: Transfer the coarsely chopped apricot mixture to a pot or saucepan on the stove. Bring it to a light boil over medium heat, uncovered, and cook for about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent scorching and to allow the mixture to thicken slightly. Taste and add additional sugar if your apricots are less sweet.
- Add Raspberries: Stir in the fresh raspberries, then continue simmering the mixture for another 1 to 2 minutes until the raspberries soften and heat through, releasing their juices and color into the preserves.
- Cool and Store: Remove the preserve from heat and allow it to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, cover and transfer the preserves to the refrigerator. These preserves will keep for at least one week when refrigerated properly.
Notes
- Adjust sugar according to the sweetness of your fruit to balance the tartness.
- Use ripe, but firm apricots for the best texture.
- The recipe can be doubled or tripled for larger batches.
- Preserves can be stored in sterilized jars for longer shelf life.
- The addition of raspberries is optional but adds a lovely color and flavor contrast.
