What Is Raspberry jam and How Can I Use It?

Here's everything worth knowing about raspberry jam and how to pick it, what it is, how to store it, and what to use instead, plus 158 recipes to cook tonight.

What is raspberry jam?

Raspberry jam is crushed raspberries cooked with sugar until thick and spreadable, with a bright, almost wine-like tartness that keeps it from tasting flatly sweet. That acidity is exactly why it is the go-to jam for filling rich, chocolatey desserts.

The one thing that defines raspberry jam is seeds. Raspberries are packed with tiny hard seeds, and ordinary jam keeps them, which most people like. Seedless versions are strained, giving a smoother filling that pipes cleanly and feels less gritty between cake layers.

For most cooking the two are interchangeable. Reach for seedless only when texture matters. A mirror-smooth glaze or a filling you want to taste smooth rather than seedy is worth the strained jar.

Ways to Use Raspberry Jam

The classic job is filling. A thin layer between cake and frosting makes chocolate desserts sing, the tartness cutting through all that richness.

It runs through a Chocolate Raspberry Almond Torte and a Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake.

It is the heart of the thumbprint and linzer cookie, where a spoonful bakes into a glossy jewel in the center, as in these Ischli Cookies.

Swirled into batter, it marbles brownies and bars with ribbons of tart fruit, like these Walnut Raspberry Brownie and a pan of Chocolate Sin Raspberry Truffle Brownies.

Loosen a few spoonfuls with warm water or a splash of liqueur and you have an instant raspberry sauce for ice cream or pancakes.

Jam Versus Preserves and Jelly

These labels trip people up. Jelly is made from strained juice and sets clear and firm with no fruit or seeds. Jam is crushed whole fruit cooked to a soft, spreadable set, so it carries more fruit and, with raspberries, the seeds.

Preserves hold larger pieces of fruit in a looser syrup, though with a berry as small as a raspberry the line between jam and preserves nearly vanishes. For baking, raspberry jam and raspberry preserves behave the same; just strain or buy seedless if you want it smooth.

Pairing and Common Mistakes

Raspberry has a natural affinity for chocolate and almond, and it holds its own against tangy cream cheese and mascarpone. A few drops of lemon juice sharpen a jam that tastes too sweet.

The most common mistake is overfilling. Raspberry jam is loose and loves to ooze, so a thumbprint cookie packed to the brim bubbles over and welds itself to the pan; fill just below the rim.

The second is using it cold as a glaze. Like other fruit spreads, it goes on evenly only once warmed until pourable, so heat it briefly first.

Substitutes

Other red berry jams are the closest swaps. Strawberry jam is sweeter and milder, blackberry is deeper and a touch more earthy, and either works in a filling or thumbprint with a small flavor shift.

Seedless raspberry jam and raspberry preserves stand in for each other freely. For a sharper, less sweet result, a good cherry or red currant jam brings similar acidity.

In a pinch, simmer fresh or frozen raspberries with a little sugar for a few minutes to make a quick jammy filling, then strain it if you want it seedless.

Buying and Storage

Check the label. The best jars list raspberries and sugar first with a short ingredient list, while cheaper ones lean on corn syrup and added pectin and taste duller. Look for "seedless" on the front if that is what your recipe needs.

An unopened jar keeps in a cool, dark cupboard for a year or more, well past its best-by date, because sugar preserves it.

Once opened, refrigerate it and use within about a month for the brightest flavor, though it stays safe well beyond that. Always scoop with a clean, dry spoon, since butter or crumbs introduce mold.

If you see fuzzy mold or smell anything fermented or off, discard the whole jar rather than scraping the top. The growth you can see is only part of it.

Nutrition

Quick facts

Where to find raspberry jam: Raspberry jam is usually found in the canned goods section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group: Raspberry jam is a member of the Sweets US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

In Chinese

树莓果酱

British (UK) term

Raspberry jam

en français

confiture de framboise

en español

mermelada de frambuesa

How much does raspberry jam weigh?

Related

Sweets

Recipes using raspberry jam

There are 158 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Favorite Linzer Cookies

Crisp nut cookies sandwiched together with a raspberry filling, which peeks through the cutout in the top cookie.

Chocolatey NestEgg Shortbread Cookies

Chocolate egg shortbread thumbprint cookies filled with raspberry jam and topped with a chocolate egg, then drizzled with powdered sugar glaze. A fun Easter baking project kids love.

Double Berry Muffins

Double berry muffins layer blueberry batter around a hidden teaspoon of raspberry jam, lightened with wheat germ and orange juice. Low-fat breakfast bake.

Yummy Linzer Cookies

Linzer cookies built on a buttery ground-almond shortbread, scented with vanilla, almond extract, and a hint of cinnamon. Each cookie holds a thumbprint of lemon-spiked raspberry jam, finished with sliced almonds and powdered sugar.

Linzer Tarts

These rich cookies are delightfully crisp, buttery and nutty, with just the right amount of sweetness from the filling and the sugar dusting.

Bacon, Raspberry, Pear Grilled Cheese

A surprisingly wonderful combination to try on your next ooey gooey grilled cheese sandwich.

Raspberry Cream Brownie Wedges

Decadent layered brownies with raspberry cream cheese filling and white chocolate glaze. Elegant Chambord-spiked dessert that slices into beautiful wedges for special occasions.

Almond Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast

A truly decadent french toast stuffed with almonds and cream cheese. Talk about kicking it up a notch!

Raspberry Almond Muffins

The raspberry preserves and almond paste tucked inside these delicate muffins make them a surprising treat.

Chocolate Pancakes with Chocolate-Raspberry Sauce

Chocolate Pancakes with Chocolate-Raspberry Sauce recipe

Chocolate Marbled Angel Food Cake with Coffee Cream & Raspberry Jam

A deliciously light chocolate marbled angel food cake is filled with raspberry jam, and topped with coffee cream. It's sweet and rich enough to please your sweet tooth, but without too much guilt.

Nutty Almond, Raspberry Jam & Apricot Granola Bars

These delicious and nutritious granola bars are ideal for breakfast, snack or anytime when you feel hungry. Very easy to make, and they provide lots of great values to your body.

Apple Grape Berry Pie (Healthier Version)

Instead of store-bought pie crust, we made our own with most whole wheat flour and olive oil, which made the crust a lot healthier with flaky texture and delicious flavor. Now enjoy this juicy-fruity pie without feeling guilty at all.

Valentine's Day Raspberry Cream Brownie Wedges

Top and bottom layers are brownies, the middle layer is made with raspberry jam and cream cheese. Make this delicious raspberry cream brownies for your Valentine's Day.

Jam-Filled Muffins

These delicious and moist jam-filled muffins are perfect for breakfast or a quick yet tasty snack during the day.

Chocolate Maple Pie

Smooth, silky, rich and chocolaty. You can find all these deliciousness in this chocolate pie.

Almond Raspberry Layered Cake

This delicious almond raspberry layered cake is fluffy and moist. Raspberry jam and fresh raspberries make the cake so deliciously fruity. It's also much lower fat, which makes you enjoy it without feeling guilty at all.

Christmas Nutty Linzer Cookies

Christmas Linzer cookies, tender ground-hazelnut shortbread sandwiched with raspberry jam and dusted with powdered sugar, jam peeking through a cut-out window. A nutty, festive take on the Austrian classic.

Apple Grape Berry Pie

Juicy apples, grapes and raspberry jam make a delicious pie that everyone asks for a second slice.

Raspberry Bars

I made these bars with blackberry preserves instead. I made a simple glaze and drizzled it over the bars once they cooled completely.

Chocolate Raspberry Streusel Squares

Gave this recipe 5 star, because chocolate in between the layers, and chopped almonds were mixed into streusel, which made the bars taste heavenly delicious.

Baked Biscuit Dough Donuts

Refrigerated biscuit dough is used in this recipe. Fill with your favorite jam or preserves, if you like.

Lowfat Applesauce Banana Muffins

A simple and tasty treat that makes a great light snack between meals.

Chocolate Macarons with Raspberry Jam

These chocolate raspberry macarons are filled with raspberry jam.

Berry Berry Streusel Bars

Raspberry jam and blueberries make these berry berry streusel bars packed with goodness and yumminess. Perfect for breakfast.

Oatmeal Raspberry Bar Cookies (Healthier Version)

This are my version of oatmeal raspberry bar cookies, by using whole wheat flour adds extra fibre, using most olive oil reduces saturated fat without losing great texture and flavor. They are great for grab-go breakfast.

Goldy's Dream Cake

Goldy's Dream Cake is a decadent, multi-layered dessert featuring a buttery, crumbly crust, a smooth cream cheese filling, a sweet-tart raspberry jam layer, and a crunchy almond topping. This crowd-pleasing cake is ideal for special occasions or gatherings, with a balance of textures and flavors that make every bite irresistible. Preparing it a day ahead enhances its flavor and makes serving easier.

Christmas Lemon Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies

Very flaky and buttery, just right amount of sweetness! Definitely recommend this recipe for Christmas.

Oatmeal Raspberry Bar Cookies

Oatmeal raspberry bar cookies with a buttery brown sugar oat crust and crumble top sandwiching seedless raspberry jam. A simple 7-ingredient bar cookie that's easy to batch bake.

Raspberry-Fig Breakfast Bar

These raspberry-fig bars are perfect for grab-go breakfast, delicious, packed with goodness. They will for sure energize you to start a fresh day.

Almond Raspberry Rugalah Cookie

Last Christmas I made these cookies for my family, they all told me how delicious and pretty they were. I will definitely make these delicious cookies for every Christmas.

Victoria Sponge Cake

Named after Queen Victoria, who famously enjoyed a slice with her afternoon tea, this classic British cake dates back to the 19th century. Its light, fluffy sponge layers, filled with raspberry jam and whipped cream, embody simple elegance, making it a timeless centerpiece for tea parties or special occasions.

Chocolate Raspberry Almond Torte

Flourless-style chocolate almond torte with fresh raspberries and framboise, layered with raspberry jam glaze and a poured chocolate ganache. A showstopping French-inspired dessert.

Glazed Raspberry Fudge Cake

Glazed raspberry fudge cake is a flourless-style chocolate cake brushed with raspberry preserves, then coated in a glossy rum-chocolate glaze. Dense, moist, and finished with fresh raspberries for the ultimate dinner-party showstopper.

Raspberry Almond Christmas Bars

These raspberry almond bars are not only good during Christmas...

Apple Cheese Platz

German-style apple cream cheese tart with a buttery pressed crust, raspberry jam layer, and cinnamon-spiced apples topped with sliced almonds. Baked in a springform for easy serving.

She's Gotta Have It Cake

A fat-free chocolate cake made with cocoa, instant coffee, and egg whites, topped with vanilla glaze and swirled raspberry jam. Rich chocolate flavor without the guilt, baked in a springform pan.

Ischli Cookies

Ischler cookies are an Austrian classic from Bad Ischl: ground-almond shortbread rounds sandwiched with raspberry jam and crowned with espresso-spiked chocolate icing. Spa-town pastry royalty.

Sherry Trifle

Classic British sherry trifle layered with jam-spread sponge cake, raspberries, bananas, homemade egg custard, whipped cream, and toasted almonds. A make-ahead showpiece that chills for hours.

Venison Stew with Raspberries

Braised venison stew with red wine, raspberry preserves, green peppercorns, and cream. A refined, fruity twist on game meat that turns tough cuts into something elegant.

Chocolate-Hazelnut Raspberry Thumbprints

Chocolate hazelnut raspberry thumbprints: chocolate-cocoa cookies rolled with ground toasted hazelnuts, indented and filled with raspberry jam. Three dozen elegant holiday cookies.

Candy Bar Torte

A three-layer white chocolate torte with melted candy bars folded into buttermilk cake, raspberry jam between layers, and vanilla whipped cream. Elegant enough for any celebration.

Chocolate Hazelnut Surprise Cake

Cocoa-espresso cake loaded with toasted ground hazelnuts and glazed with warm seedless raspberry jam. Topped with fresh raspberries and chopped hazelnuts for an elegant, butter-free finish.

Green Peppercorn-Raspberry Sauce

Raspberries, a member of the rose family, impart a delicious aroma and spark of flavor to this creative sauce. It is especially good with roast duckling.

Mile-High Celebration Cake for a Crowd

Mile-high three-layer chocolate celebration cake for a crowd, filled with raspberry jam and orange marmalade, frosted with mocha cream cheese buttercream. Party show-stopper.

Best Glazed Ribbon Cookies

Glazed ribbon cookies with buttery shortbread dough rolled into strips, filled with raspberry jam, and drizzled with vanilla glaze. Holiday cookie tray classic.

Frosty Ricotta Cheese Pie

Frozen ricotta cheese pie with orange juice concentrate, vanilla ice cream, and whipped topping on a raspberry jam-lined graham cracker crust. No-bake summer dessert.

Raspberrry & Chocolate Pie

A creamy raspberry chocolate pie with cream cheese filling on a pecan vanilla wafer crust sealed with melted chocolate. Topped with jam-glazed berries for a make-ahead chilled dessert.

Iced Maple Cream with Berries

Iced maple cream parfait with fresh summer berries in warm raspberry jam. A silky no-churn frozen sabayon made with pure maple syrup, served over a juicy berry base.

Raspberry Almond Shortbread Thumbprints

Buttery almond shortbread thumbprint cookies filled with raspberry jam and finished with an almond-scented glaze drizzle. Classic Christmas cookie that freezes for three months.

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