Sunflower Jelly (Easy Recipe)

Welcome to my blog where I share easy and fun recipes that anyone can make at home.

Today, I am excited to share with you one of my favorite recipes – Sunflower Jelly!

This unique jelly captures the essence of summer with its bright and zesty flavors.

It’s perfect for spreading on toast, biscuits, or scones, and it’s also a great addition to any cheese board.

And the best part?

This jelly is so easy to make that even a beginner can master it.

So let’s get started!

5 Reasons You’ll Love This Sunflower Jelly Recipe

1. Unique Flavor: Sunflower petals infuse the jelly with a delicate floral taste that sets it apart from other fruit jellies.
2. Versatile: Sunflower Jelly pairs well with sweet and savory foods, making it a great addition to any meal.
3. Easy to Make: With only a few ingredients and simple steps, you can make this jelly in less than an hour.
4. Locally Sourced: You can easily make this jelly using locally sourced sunflowers and lemons, making it a sustainable and fresh alternative to store-bought jellies.
5. Perfect gift: Homemade Sunflower Jelly is a perfect gift for friends and family who love unique and tasty spreads.

Essential Equipment

• Large pot for boiling water
• Measuring cups and spoons
• A wooden spoon for stirring
• A candy thermometer for cooking the jelly to the right temperature
• Glass jars and lids for storing the jelly

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Sunflower Petals (1 1/2 cups): Sunflower petals are the star ingredient of this jelly and provide a delicate, floral flavor.
• Boiling Water (2 1/2 cups): The boiling water helps to infuse the sunflower petals with their flavor, extracting the essential oils.
• Lemon Zest (zest of one lemon): The lemon zest gives the jelly a tangy kick and complements the floral flavor of the sunflower petals.
• Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice (1/4 cup): The lemon juice adds acidity to help the jelly set and balances out the sweetness of the sugar.
• Sugar (3 1/2 cups for a tart flavor or 4 cups for a sweeter taste): Sugar is necessary to create a jelly-like texture and sweetness to balance the tartness of the lemon.
• Sure-Jell (1 box): Sure-Jell is a pectin powder that helps the jelly set and achieve its perfect texture.

How to Make Sunflower Jelly

1. Steeping the petals and zest: Pour the boiling water over the sunflower petals and lemon zest. Cover your jar/pitcher with a saucer, and let steep for about an hour or two before straining.
2. Preparing the jelly: Stir Sure-Jell into the lemon/sunflower mixture and bring to a full boil. Stir in sugar quickly, then return to a full boil and boil for one minute.
3. Filling the jars: Ladle quickly into prepared jars, wipe rims with a damp cloth, cover with the lid and screw bands, place in a water bath canner, making sure water covers jars by a couple of inches, and process for 5 minutes.

5 Expert Tips and Tricks for The BEST Jelly

• Use distilled water instead of tap water to avoid any impurities from affecting the flavor of the jelly.
• To intensify the lemon flavor, add two teaspoons of lemon juice to the mixture.
• To get perfectly clear jelly, let the mixture drain through a jelly bag overnight before moving onto the next step.
• Wear gloves when handling the sunflower petals to avoid staining your hands.
• Add a pinch of salt while boiling the mixture to enhance the flavors and balance the sweetness.

Uses For Sunflower Jelly

1. Spread it on toast, bagels or English muffins for a delicious and unique breakfast.
2. Pair it with cheese on a charcuterie board for a sweet and savory addition.
3. Use it as a glaze for grilled meats or vegetables.
4. Incorporate it into a salad dressing for a bright and tangy flavor.
5. Make a cream cheese and sunflower jelly dip for crackers and veggies.
6. Use it to drizzle over desserts like ice cream, cakes, and cheesecakes.
7. Create a delicious PB&J with sunflower jelly instead of regular jelly.
8. Use it as a jam layer in cakes or muffins for an extra burst of flavor.
9. Mix it with cream cheese or whipped cream for a delicious dip or spread.
10. Use it as a tasty and unique ingredient in homemade cocktails.

Recipe Variations

• Lavender Jelly: Replace the lemon zest and juice with lavender buds for a floral and relaxing twist.
• Spicy Jelly: Add a pinch of chili powder or sliced jalapeno for a spicy kick.
• Citrus Jelly: Replace the lemon juice with orange, grapefruit or lime juice for a citrusy twist.
• Vanilla Jelly: Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract for a rich and smooth flavor.
• Berry Jelly: Mix in a cup of fresh chopped berries when cooking the mixture for a fruity twist.

Substitutions

• Sure-Jell: You can replace Sure-Jell with any other pectin powder.
• Sugar: For a healthier version, replace sugar with any other sweetener of your choice, like honey or stevia.
• Lemon zest and juice: Orange zest and juice can be used as a substitute for lemon in this recipe.

Storing, Freezing, and Reheating

• Storing: Store your sunflower jelly jars in a cool, dark place for up to a year.
• Freezing: You can safely freeze the jelly for up to a year. Thaw it in the fridge before use.
• Reheating: You can reheat jelly by microwaving it or warming it on the stove on low heat.