This is my favorite way to use up jam right now.  chocolate-plum jam with cowgirl creamery mt. tam cheese = i’m eating it for breakfast, whether that’s an appropriate breakfast or not.  eggs be damned. Cowgirl Creamery cheese is insanely expensive but 100% worth every penny and totally delicious.*  Chocolate plum jam, on the other hand, is dirt cheap if you make it when there are lots of plums around.  The original recipe, which I wrote last summer, is here.

Since I am so incredibly happy and humbled to be up on Freshly Pressed today, I want to share a few tweaks that I think make it even better.  This is absolutely one of the best jams I’ve ever made and I hope that you bookmark it for when the plums come in so you can make it too.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for reading.  I can’t say it enough.

Improved Chocolate Plum Jam

Cook Time: oh, an hour or so

Ingredients:

• 6 c. santa rosa plums, diced
• 5 c. sugar
• 1/2 c. honey
• 1/4 c. cocoa powder
• 2 ounces lemon juice
• 2 tbs. pomegranate vinegar (any fruity vinegar is good- raspberry, balsamic, etc.)
• 1 sprig of fresh sage (4 or 5 leaves)

Bring boiling water canner to a boil.  Combine all the ingredients in a large, nonreactive pot.  Cook on high heat, stirring occasionally to prevent the plums from sticking and burning.  Cook until the jam reaches 220 on a candy thermometer, or whatever your preferred method of testing for gel point is.  (I realized my candy thermometer is a piece of crap and not accurate at all, so I’ve just been doing the sheeting method with the spoon I stir the jam with- click this link for a picture if you don’t know what I’m talking about).

Before you put the jam into jars, you can remove the sage leaves if you want.  I actually gave the whole thing – sage leaves and all – a zap with my immersion blender since I was using frozen plums that didn’t have much in the texture department anyway.  Purée it or leave it chunky – either way is fine.

Pour the hot jam into clean half pint jars, leaving 1/4″ headspace.  Wipe rims and screw on lids.  Process half pints for ten minutes (adjust for altitude if necessary).

*they didn’t pay me to say that or anything, the Cowgirl Creamery people definitely don’t know who I am.

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14 thoughts on “Gratitude & Improved Chocolate Plum Jam”

1. emmycooksMAY 11, 2012 AT 5:33 PMChocolate plum jam! I am so making this this summer. I just cleared out the last of last summer’s plums with a batch each of plum and plum-ginger jam–can’t wait to try your recipe!Reply
2. frugalfeedingMAY 11, 2012 AT 7:16 PMYUM. I made some plum jam last year, it was delicious – it must go so well with chocolate added.Reply
3. MichelleMAY 12, 2012 AT 12:58 AMOh, if I am able to find plums this summer, I am definitely making this. Sadly, folks around here don’t raise them much. And this looks like a perfect breakfast (or for that matter, any meal) to me!Reply
4. sharivilleMAY 12, 2012 AT 6:27 AMOMgoodness, the plums just fall on the ground every yr. In our area every one has an abundance. I am going to make this jam this yr. it sounds lovely for Christmas gifts.Reply
5. sharivilleMAY 12, 2012 AT 6:28 AMWhere do we get Cowgirl Creamery Cheese?Reply
6. Barbara GoodMAY 12, 2012 AT 11:27 AMOh wow, that sounds and looks amazing. I love a good plum jam, team it with chocolate and cheese and that’s just about heaven on bread isn’t it. Now I just need my very small plum tree to get growing – and wait for Spring as it’s Autumn here right now.Reply
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9. CarolineMAY 13, 2012 AT 6:45 PMemmy- i’ve been meaning to do a plum/ginger combination, it’s totally on my list for this summer!
   frugal- plums and chocolate are a great combo, it’s true. this jam is inspired by a dessert i made on a whim once, just sliced plums dipped in dark chocolate and rolled in crushed hazelnuts. it melted my brain it was so good.
   michelle- i hope you can find some plums!
   shari- i’m sure people will love you if you give them this jam for christmas 
   barbara- i’m sending your little plum tree happy growing vibrations! we planted two years and years ago and finally, this summer it looks like we’re going to have a huge plum harvest.Reply
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11. Stacie TamakiJULY 3, 2012 AT 5:36 AMOh my word. I love Mt. Tam Cheese. And my friend made the jam and let me sample some tonight. I CANNOT WAIT to have this combo. I might faint from the deliciousness Reply
    1. CarolineJULY 13, 2012 AT 9:29 PMmt. tam is seriously addictive, it’s so true! I’m glad you liked the jam, that’s always so great to hear.Reply
12. DeniseJULY 24, 2012 AT 12:20 AMThis jam is fantastic! I loved the first batch so much, I just had to make a second. The chocolate taste is subtle, and the balsamic and sage add just that perfect kick. Love, love, love it.Reply
13. John&LyndaJANUARY 7, 2014 AT 9:55 PMhey there!~ just googled chocolate and plum jam as we’re making jam from roadside plums we gathered here (Gippsland, Victoria, Australia) and have Dutch chocolate on hand (and lots of plums!!!). Sage and balsamic was unexpected… but I’m giving it a go! Thanks for your recipe!
    John&Lynda