A delightful spiced apple raisin preserve, perfect for spreading on toast or pairing with cheese.
Peel, core, and finely chop the apples.
Use a sharp knife to make the peeling and chopping easier and more precise.
Combine the apples, raisins, water, lemon juice, cinnamon, allspice, sugar, brown sugar, and butter in a large pot.
Stir the mixture thoroughly to ensure even distribution of the spices.
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Keep an eye on the pot to prevent the mixture from sticking to the bottom.
Boil the mixture hard for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
A hard boil is when the mixture continues to boil even while stirring.
Stir in the pectin until fully dissolved.
Ensure the pectin is evenly mixed to help the preserve set properly.
Return the pot to the heat and bring to a full rolling boil for 1 minute.
A rolling boil is vigorous and cannot be stirred down.
Remove from heat and skim off any foam from the surface.
Skimming the foam ensures a clearer preserve.
Ladle the hot preserve into sterilized jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace.
Use a funnel to make filling the jars easier and less messy.
Seal the jars and process them in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
Ensure the jars are fully submerged in the water bath for proper sealing.
Remove the jars and let them cool completely. Store in a cool, dark place.
Check the seals after cooling to ensure they are airtight.