This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on a link and purchase an item, I will receive a small commission. For more info, please see my disclosure on my Connect page.

Ever since I can remember, my family has gathered together every fall to pick grapes in my grandparents’ backyard. We then use those grapes to make our favorite homemade grape jelly. Picking those grapes is a tradition that I look forward to every single year.

A Storybook Childhood

When I was a girl, my grandparents had a huge garden and lovely orchard with grape vines running the whole length of the back fence. It was a magical world where my cousin and I would play. We would build forts in the trees and search under the vines for snails and snakes. Occasionally we would find a lost bunny or cat, but the snakes were our favorite. My grandmother was deathly afraid of anything that slithered so we would chase her with them, laughing as she screamed. Rotten little stinks!

While Grandpa flood irrigated the yard, we would slosh around in our bare feet. We were his “best helpers”. He cut small pieces of wood for each of us and we would surf on them across the waterlogged grass.

I didn’t know it then, but realize now that I was living a storybook childhood.

These Days

Year after year we gather at the vines with apple baskets and old wash tubs to harvest. Someone inevitably get a snail placed in their hair or comes face to face with Charlotte and her web. And, year after year we continue to go back and each time brings new growth as my brothers and cousins marry, and new great grand-babies are born.

The garden has long been replaced by a parking lot, and the snakes are a distant memory, but the beautiful vines full of fun and memories remain.

It’s funny how something as simple as snails, time with family, homemade grape jelly, and old tea towels can resonate in your soul. These are the things my dreams are made of. Thank you Grandpa and Grandma for your time, your love, the memories… everything.

I thought I’d save our family favorite homemade grape jelly recipe here on the blog for my kids. I hope someday they look back on it as fondly as I do.

Homemade Grape Jelly

Making your own homemade grape jelly is easy, quick, and delicious!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Resting Time 1 day d

Total Time 1 day d 30 minutes mins

Course From Scratch, Jams & Jellies

Cuisine Homesteading

Servings 7 cups

Ingredients

  

• 3 ¾ cups grape juice About 5 pounds Concord grapes worth
• 5 ⅓ cups granulated sugar
• 1 box pectin This Recipe uses MCP Brand
• ¼ tsp butter optional- this is added to reduce foaming

Instructions

 

• Gather supplies, wash jars, and simmer lids.
  
• Add juice and pectin in a large pot. Heat on High. Stir until pectin is dissolved. Add butter if desired. Bring to a rolling boil.
  
• Stir in full measure of sugar all at once.
  
• Return to a full roiling boil that can't be stirred down and cook for 2 minutes while stirring constantly.
  
• Ladle into clean glass jars. I like to use pints for my family, because we go through it fast, and pretty half pints for gifts.
  
• Wipe rims. Place lids (that have been simmered) on jars and screw bands over the top, finger tip tight.
  
• Process for 5 minutes, adjusting time to your altitude. Remove jars and cool completely, then let stand for 24 hours.
  
• Keeps about a year, if it doesn't get devoured by then.

Keyword autumn, fruit, garden, jelly, old fashioned

The jelly is set and I’m hungry!
Bring on the hot fresh bread and peppermint tea.

*Do you have a special family tradition that makes your heart happy?*