Champagne Jelly (for New Year’s Day Brunch!)

This Champagne Jelly recipe transforms your favorite sparkling wine into a delicious breakfast spread. Made with just 3 ingredients, it pairs perfectly with everything from croissants to charcuterie.

Say hello to my new favorite breakfast addition – Champagne Jelly! But it’s not just for breakfast. It’s right at home on a charcuterie board or as a glaze for the Christmas turkey or ham. The bubbly, wine-infused notes make it a versatile addition to almost any course.

It also makes a wonderful homemade holiday gift. I plan on sending jars home with my Christmas dinner guests, so they’ll have something special to help ring in the New Year. The best thing about this recipe is how easy it is to make with just 3 ingredients. It’s so simple! The best things usually are.

Champagne Selections

When using Champagne in baked goods or sweets, I usually recommend using a brand that you already love. But if you’re not sure where to start, here are a few things to consider.

• Budget: Champagne comes in a range of price points. While high-end Champagnes are best for drinking, you don’t need to break the bank for making Champagne Jelly. Choose an inexpensive bottle that is described as “fruity” or “citrus forward’ and preferably dry.
• Sweetness Level: Jelly, by design, is a very sweet condiment. Which means a lot of sugar is going into the pot to boil with the champagne. Dry sparkling wines have less sugar in them, and using them may help control sugar content and unmask nuanced flavors. However, most any champagne, prosecco, or white sparkling wine will work. But if you have a choice, look for medium-dry (brut) or dry (extra brut) sparkling wines.
• Brand Recommendations: My current personal favorites for baking and jelly making are J. Roget Brut ‘American Champagne’ ($10.99). A medium-dry sparkling wine with crisp fruit flavors. And Freixenet Prosecco ($11.99). An extra-dry Italian white wine with notes of apple and citrus. Its golden color makes a beautiful jar of jelly.

Sterilize the Jars

Top priority: ensure your are sterilized. Do this by washing them in hot, soapy water and then placing them in a large pot of simmering water for a few minutes. Keep the jars hot until you’re ready to fill them. Remove them from the boiling water and let them dry. This only takes a few seconds, because the hot water evaporates quickly. Don’t put the lids in the simmering water, though! It could melt the sealant. Just give those a good wash and set aside to dry.

Side note: If you’re a novice at canning, and would like to get started in earnest, then I use and recommend the . It’s the gold standard for proper technique and safety measures. Or certainly visit their page online, which is a free resource!

Three Ingredient Alchemy

The beauty of this three-ingredient recipe lies in its simplicity. You’ll need 4 cups of champagne, 6 cups of sugar, and a box of liquid pectin (2 packets). Bring the champagne and sugar to a boil, then add the pectin and boil for 1 minute. It’s not only simple, but quick, too!

Skim the Foam

This recipe makes a remarkably clear jelly! But you may have a little foam on the surface of the jelly from the boiling process. Just skim it off to a small plate.

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Fill the Jars

Set a in the top of a jar and carefully ladle the hot Champagne Jelly into it, leaving about 1/4 inch of headspace at the top. Wipe the jar rims clean with a damp cloth to ensure a proper seal.

Process in a Water Bath – or Don’t!

Place the lids on the jars, and screw the bands on until they are fingertip-tight. Which means, don’t screw the lids on too tight! Process the jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. Remove them and let them stand to cool. You should begin to hear the jars’ tell-tale ‘POP‘ that means it has sealed air tight.

You don’t absolutely need a water bath canner with a rack to process the jars in, but it helps. Alternatively, you can place the jars in a big stock pot of boiling water that covers the lids, and process for 10 minutes.

The Simplest Version

OR, you can just skip the water bath altogether. Just cook, pour in jars, and store the jelly in the refrigerator. The jelly will be refrigerator stable for 6 months. The sugar and refrigeration works in tandem to preserve the jelly for a long period of time. You can still give the jars as gifts – just be sure to clearly label “refrigerate” or “keep refrigerated“.

Ways to Enjoy Champagne Jelly

• Spread it on toast or croissants for a breakfast or brunch treat.
• Pair it with a variety of cheeses on your charcuterie board for a sophisticated sweet note that complements the savory elements. (I love this with Havarti cheese!)
• Use it as a glaze for poultry or pork dishes to add a touch of wine-infused sweetness to your main course.
• Warm it for 15 seconds in the microwave for the fanciest ice cream topping.
• Use it as a cake filling.
• Share it with friends and family as a homemade gift, perfect for celebrating special occasions or ringing in the New Year.

There’s nothing quite like sipping on a glass of sparkling champagne to celebrate a special occasion or to ring in the New Year. But I think turning your favorite champagne into a spreadable, edible treat is the next best thing! With its complex yet unmistakable grape notes, Champagne Jelly is a unique way to give any meal a sense of occasion.

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Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/SprinkleBakes