If there’s one scent that instantly pulls me back into my childhood, Spiced Apple Mint Jelly. This scent is a combination of the warm, sweet spice of apples bubbling away on the stove—cloves floating on top like little fragrant reminders that something special is happening. Add peppermint to that scene, and suddenly the kitchen feels like it’s wearing a knitted sweater and a fresh snowfall at the same time. Do you know how much I love Sweater Weather?
That’s exactly what Spiced Apple Mint Jelly does, it reminds me of Sweater Weather.
It’s comforting and familiar with that classic apple-and-clove “fall pantry” flavor, but then the peppermint steps in like a bright winter breeze—unexpected, a little magical, and honestly… kind of addicting. It’s the jelly I pull out when I want a bite of toast to feel like a memory of my grandma. When I want a quick snack to taste like a home-cooked breakfast sitting next to grandpa. When I want my kitchen to smell like the seasons are shaking hands.
I’ve canned my entire life, and I don’t say that as a fun exaggeration. I mean it in the way that canning was just how we did things. It was a family rhythm. A way of caring for each other. A way of making “later” easier and sweeter.
I learned food preservation alongside my grandparents, mom, dad, and siblings—the kind of people who could tell a jar was sealed by the sound it made when it cooled, and who treated pantry shelves like treasure. Some of those hands are no longer here on Earth, but I still feel them in these recipes. Every time I wipe a jar rim. Every time I lower a rack into the canner. Every time that ping happens on the counter.
This jelly is one of my favorite “bridge recipes”—it bridges seasons, and it bridges generations. It’s simple enough to make on an ordinary afternoon, but special enough to gift. It’s sweet and spiced, bright and minty, and it turns even plain bread into something you can’t stop nibbling.
And yes—before you ask—this is amazing on pork chops. (More on that later.)
Why You’ll Love This Spiced Apple Mint Jelly
- Tastes like fall + winter in one bite: apple and clove warmth with peppermint sparkle
- Perfect for gifts: it’s unique, memorable, and feels homemade in the best way
- Easy water-bath canning recipe: beginner-friendly with clear steps
- So versatile: breakfast toast, glaze for meats, cheese boards, thumbprint cookies… you name it
Best Ways to Use Spiced Apple Mint Jelly
Here are a few of my family’s favorites:
- On hot biscuits or fresh bread (the classic—because why mess with perfection?)
- Glazed on pork chops (brush it on in the last few minutes of cooking)
- Stirred into a pan sauce (with a splash of vinegar or broth)
- On a cheese board (especially with cheddar, brie, or goat cheese)
- Swirled into plain yogurt (instant “fancy snack”)
- As a thumbprint cookie filling (holiday baking upgrade)
- Layered in a turkey sandwich (trust me—this is sneaky good)
A Little Canning Note From My Kitchen to Yours
When I’m teaching someone to can, I always say: canning is part recipe, part rhythm. Once you’ve done it a few times, you’ll feel it in your bones. But until then, it’s completely okay to go step-by-step and keep it simple.
This recipe uses a boiling water bath, which makes it approachable if you’re newer to canning. And because this jelly is made with apple juice and pectin, it comes together quickly—no long simmering needed.
Spiced Apple Mint Jelly Recipe
Recipe Snapshot
- Difficulty: Easy
- Yield: 6 half-pint jars
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Processing Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: About 30–35 minutes (plus 24 hours to fully set/seal)
Tip from Emmaline: Jelly-making moves fast once it starts boiling—so measure everything ahead of time and set it right next to the stove. It makes the whole process feel calm instead of chaotic.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups apple juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 6 tablespoons pectin
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
- ½ teaspoon butter (optional, helps reduce foam)
- 5 cups sugar
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
Equipment You’ll Need:
- Large heavy-bottom jelly pot
- Canning jars (6 half-pints), lids, and rings
- Jar funnel (helpful!)
- Ladle
- Bubble remover or chopstick
- Clean damp cloth or paper towel
- Water-bath canner (or deep stockpot with rack)
- Fine-mesh strainer (for removing cloves-also removes foam)
Step-by-Step: How to Make Spiced Apple Mint Jelly
1) Prep your canning setup
Wash jars and keep them hot until ready to fill (hot jars help prevent cracking). Set lids and rings aside according to manufacturer guidance. Fill your water-bath canner and begin heating the water so it’s ready when the jelly is hot.
2) Bring the juice mixture to a boil
In a large pot, combine:
- apple juice
- lemon juice
- pectin
- whole cloves
- butter (if using)
Stir well and bring to a rolling boil over high heat, stirring often.
3) Add sugar all at once
Once it’s boiling, add all 5 cups of sugar at once. Stir continuously until the mixture returns to a full rolling boil (a boil that doesn’t stop even when you stir).
4) Boil for 1 minute
Once it hits that rolling boil again, boil for exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly.
5) Remove from heat and add peppermint
Turn off the heat, remove the pot from the burner, and stir in the peppermint extract.
Emmaline’s peppermint tip: Peppermint can get overpowering fast. This amount gives it that “winter wink” without tasting like toothpaste. If you love a stronger mint flavor, you can increase slightly next batch—but start here.
6) Strain out the cloves and fill jars
Place a fine-mesh strainer over your funnel or ladle through it as you fill. This removes the whole cloves so the jelly stays smooth and spreadable.
Ladle hot jelly into hot jars, leaving ¼-inch headspace.
7) Clean rims and apply lids
Wipe jar rims with a clean, damp cloth. Add lids and rings, tightening rings to fingertip-tight (snug, but not cranked down).
8) Process in a boiling water bath
Process jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes at sea level.
(If you live at a higher elevation, adjust processing time accordingly.)
9) Cool, rest, and check seals
After processing, turn off the heat. Remove the canner lid and let jars sit in the water for 5 minutes.
Remove jars and place them on a towel-lined counter. Let sit undisturbed for 24 hours.
Check seals: the center of the lid should be indented and not flex.
- If a jar didn’t seal: refrigerate and use within 3 weeks
- Sealed jars: store in a cool, dry place and use within up to 3 years (quality is best in the first year)
Troubleshooting: Jelly Tips That Save the Day
If your spiced apple mint jelly didn’t set…
Don’t panic. Jelly sometimes needs a little extra time to firm up—give it 24–48 hours before deciding it didn’t set. If it truly stays runny, you can:
- use it as syrup for pancakes and oatmeal, or
- reprocess with additional pectin (a separate method—best for another day when you’re ready)
If you have foam on top of your spiced apple mint jelly…
The butter helps reduce foaming, so does straining through the fine mesh, but if you still get some, you can skim it off before filling jars. (Or… my honest mom-answer: it’s fine. It won’t hurt anything.)
If you want a clearer jelly…
Strain carefully and avoid aggressive stirring once the jelly is done—too much agitation can make it cloudy. Still delicious either way.
Serving Ideas: My Favorite “Family Table” Pairings
One of my favorite weeknight tricks is turning this jelly into a quick glaze:
Easy Pork Chop Glaze
- Pan-sear or bake pork chops as usual
- Warm 2–3 tablespoons jelly in a small saucepan
- Add 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar (optional, but amazing)
- Brush on pork during the last 2–3 minutes of cooking
It caramelizes slightly and makes dinner feel like you planned ahead—even if you didn’t.
A Little Pantry Magic, From My Family to Yours
Every canning season, I catch myself doing things the way my family did—without even thinking. The way I line up jars like little soldiers. The way I wipe rims carefully. The way I pause for that first ping and smile like it’s a tiny celebration.
Recipes like this one are more than instructions. They’re a thread. They connect my kitchen to the ones I grew up in, and they turn ordinary days into something worth remembering.
So if you make this Spiced Apple Mint Jelly, I hope it becomes part of your rhythm too. I hope you spread it thick on warm bread and feel just a little more at home. I hope you tuck a jar into your pantry and feel that quiet satisfaction that comes from preparing, providing, and preserving.
And if you gift a jar to someone you love? Even better. Because that’s what this is, really.
A jar of seasons.
A jar of memories.
A jar of love.
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