Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Fresh dandelion flowers petals – 4 cups (yellow petals only, pesticide-free)
- Water – 4 cups
- Lemon juice – 1/4 cup (freshly squeezed)
- Granulated sugar – 4 cups
- Fruit pectin – 1 packet (approximately 1.75 oz)
Instructions
- Harvest and Prepare the Dandelion Petals: Pick fresh dandelion flowers on a dry, sunny day, avoiding any that have started to fade or close. Carefully separate the yellow petals from their green bases to avoid bitterness. Rinse the petals gently in cold water to remove any dirt or tiny insects.
- Steep the Petals: Place the cleaned petals in a large bowl and pour boiling water over them. Cover and let steep for 24 hours at room temperature to extract the floral essence and bright color.
- Strain the Dandelion Infusion: After steeping, strain the liquid through a fine mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or a clean kitchen towel. Press gently to extract all the fragrant, golden liquid for your jelly base.
- Prepare the Jelly Mixture: Measure the dandelion liquid, then combine it with sugar, lemon juice, and fruit pectin in a large pot. Stir constantly over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture comes to a boil. Boil exactly 1 minute to activate the pectin.
- Jar and Cool: Pour the hot jelly immediately into sterilized jars, leaving some headspace at the top. Seal tightly and allow the jars to cool at room temperature until the jelly sets with a shimmering texture.
Notes
- Pick dandelion petals early in the morning when flowers are fully open and fresh.
- Only use petals from pesticide-free areas to ensure purity and safety.
- Sterilize jars properly before use to prevent spoilage and extend shelf life.
- Test the jelly set by chilling a small amount with a spoon before filling jars.
- Label jars with date and type of jelly for easy identification.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 24 hours steeping time)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Dandelion jelly, homemade jelly, floral jelly, spring recipe, natural jelly, wildflower jelly, gluten free jelly