If you have a bread machine with a jam cycle function, then you can try to make jam by following the instructions and recipes contained in the bread machine’s recipe book or product manual. You just follow the recipe, put the ingredients in the baking pan, select the jam cycle and then leave the machine for a little more than an hour to cook the jam. We selected a few bread makers with jam settings for our review. We discuss the basic features of each bread machine. Not only that, but we also take a quick look at how the jam function works.
Zojirushi Bread Machine With Jam Cycle
The Zojirushi BB-HAC10 is a small bread maker that measures 11 x 8 x 12 inches and weighs about 13 pounds. It is smaller than other bread machines. It only bakes a 1-pound bread loaf size. This makes it well suited for a single person or a small family. The compact design means it needs less counter space.
The menu settings: Basic (regular, firm), Soft, French, Dough, Cookie/Pasta Dough, Cake, Jam and Quick bread. It has a 13-hour delay timer for planning your baking to fit in with your meal times. It has a small viewing window in the lid, so you can keep an eye on the kneading, rising and baking.
The benefits of the BB-HAC10 mini bread maker are its viewing window, its small footprint and its ability to cook jam. However, it does not provide an option for creating and saving custom baking programs like the bigger 2-lb Zojirushi bread machines.
You start the jam cooking process by gathering the jam recipe ingredients. For example: take one and a half cups of crushed strawberries, 2/3 cup of sugar and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Put it into the baking pan and insert the pan into the bread machine. Press the jam setting button and press start/reset. The display will show “1:20” which is the time left until the jam program is finished making the jam.
The BB-HAC10 bread machine beeps when it has completed its program (display shows “COMPLETE”). Press start/reset and remove the pan of jam from the baking chamber. Get the jam out of the pan with a rubber spatula that won’t scratch the nonstick coating.
The jam might be a little soft for some tastes. You can add up to 1 oz. of fruit pectin to make it thicker. Remember that bread machine jam recipes do not contain preservatives. This means that it might not last for more than one week in the refrigerator.
For more information on this 1-pound loaf bread machine from Zojirushi, go and read our BB-HAC10 review.
Cuisinart Bread Machine With Jam Function
The Cuisinart CBK-100 mixes, kneads, rises and bakes a 1-pound, 1.5-pound or 2-pound bread loaf according to its menu programs. It has the standard light, medium or dark crust color selection button.
The jam menu option is programmed for making jam. The kneading paddle stirs the jam ingredients while the heating element cooks the mixture. It has the usual 13-hour delay timer and a power-failure backup.
The main benefit of the Cuisinart CBK-100, for this specific review, is that it has a jam setting. It works like all the other bread machine jam settings. You add the ingredients and select the jam option. The kneading paddle constantly stirs the ingredients while it is cooked. The heating element will not burn the jam.
Oster Bread Maker With Jam Setting
The Oster CKSTBRTW20 can bake a 1-pound, 1.5-pound or 2-pound bread loaf. You select the size you want with the loaf size button. It has 12 menu options for baking different types of bread such as Basic, French, Whole Wheat, Sweet and Quick. It has a dough and bagel dough setting for kneading dough. There is the jam cycle for cooking jam and marmalade. The last option is the bake function for baking only.
You can choose a light, medium or dark crust color. Use the 13-hour delay timer for delaying the start of a selected baking cycle. This Oster bread maker measures 13.8 x 13 x 14.1 inches.
The Oster CKSTBRTW20 instruction manual has recipes for making strawberry jam, orange marmalade and frozen berry jam. You follow the jam recipe and add the ingredients into the pan. Select the jam setting and press the start/stop button. The ingredients are mixed for about 15 minutes. It is then baked for 50 minutes. It takes just over an hour to make a jam in the Oster CKSTBRTW20 Expressbake.
Want to know more about it? You may read our CKSTBRTW20 review to learn more about it.
Conclusion
Keep in mind that buying a bread machine just for making jam is not economical. Consider other key features you also desire before deciding which bread machine might fit your budget and satisfy your specific needs. Then you can make your favorite bread loaf as well as your own delicious jam to spread on it.
If you want a space-saving bread machine with a jam function and are willing to pay more for it, then the Zojirushi BB-HAC10 might work for you. This is the best bread machine for a single person who only needs and eats small bread loaves and small amounts of jam.
If you want an inexpensive bread machine with a jam setting, then consider buying either the Cuisinart CBK-100 or the Oster CKSTBRTW20. Go with the Cuisinart CBK-100 if you regularly bake and eat gluten-free bread loaves.
The Oster CKSTBRTW20 might be the least expensive option. It is a very popular bread machine with a jam setting, even though it does not have a gluten-free menu option. Shop now on Amazon (paid link).