I love jams, and we use many of them in my house, so when I saw a couple of people trying a pinecone jam recipe, I had to try it for myself and I absolutely love it.

Ever thought about making jam out of pinecones? Yes, you read that right, pinecone jam! These little forest treasures aren’t just for holiday decorations; they’re packed with flavor and surprising health benefits. With a light resinous sweetness, a hint of tartness, and a beautiful amber color, pinecone jam is REALLY amazing.

If you’ve never tried cooking with pinecones before, now’s the perfect time! The best edible cones for jam are small, young, soft, and easy to pierce with your fingernail, usually found between May and June. Just be sure to harvest them from clean, pesticide-free areas.

I’ll show you photos throughout this recipe of my pinecones so you don’t get confused.

If you just want to try this jam before committing to making it yourself, you can also order it from Etsy! I found multiple sellers offering pinecone jam for a very reasonable price.

Pinecone Jam Recipe

As I said, I never imagined making jam out of pinecones, but after seeing a few people try it, I had to give it a try, and I’m so glad I did!

Ingredients

1 cup spruce or pinecones
1 lemon
1 1/3 cup sugar
1 cup water

Instructions

1. Prep the Pinecones

Start by cutting off the attachment points where the cones were connected to the branches. Then, rinse them thoroughly under cool running water.

2. Soak the Pinecones

Place the cones in a bowl and cover them with cold water. Let them soak for 2-3 hours. This step helps them swell, removes some bitterness, and gets rid of any tiny insects that might be hiding in them.

After soaking, rinse them again. Important tip: Use a dark-colored pot for cooking, as resin can be tough to clean. Avoid plastic utensils since they can get permanently sticky.

3. Combine Everything

In a pot, combine the pinecones, water, and sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it cook in 3-4 batches, allowing it to cool slightly in between. Each cooking session should last 8-10 minutes. By the end, the jam should be thick, glossy, and beautifully amber-colored.

4. Add the Lemon Juice

Once the jam reaches the desired consistency, stir in 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice for a bright, citrusy touch.

5. Jar and Store

Sterilize your jam jars by covering them with boiling water. Pour the hot jam into the jars, leaving the pinecones in for decoration or straining them out, your choice! The cones aren’t typically eaten, but they are pretty to look at.

How to Enjoy Pinecone Jam

This jam is as versatile as it is delicious! Here are a few ways we like to use it:

As a natural cold remedy
Stirred into tea for a unique, woodsy flavor
As a glaze for meats or in marinades
Paired with cheese and crackers
Drizzled over pancakes, waffles, or yogurt

If you’re looking for a fun, unique, and healthy jam recipe, give this homemade pinecone jam a try. You might just fall in love with its surprising flavor.