Today Farmhouse Magic Blog is making some faux “homemade” strawberry jam for a kitchen display.

I’ve made faux jam before but my jars developed a sink hole center.

I am going to try using a hot water bath to see if this will correct that issue.

Faux Strawberry Jam Cooling

Directions for Making Faux Jelly and Jam

I purchased two old fashioned canning jars in a second hand store.  One jar was missing the screw top but that’s fine because one jar will be sealed with paraffin wax.

To start the project, I washed and dried the two small canning jars.  Make sure there are no fingerprints on the jars.

The first step is to gather all the supplies needed for the project including a pan for a hot water bath.  I’m using an old bread pan for this.

Needed Supplies Including Pan for Hot Water Bath Using a Cheese Grater on a Red Candle

I am not able to go the craft store to buy any wax products or coloring agents since I am still under COVID-19 stay at home orders.

To do this project, I grated the wax from an old red wax candle.  This will take a little bit of time to do.

I used a one large candle to get two small jars of “strawberry” faux jelly.

After the entire candle was grated I put the wax gratings in a pot.  That pot was placed in another pot of water.  The stove burner was turned on low.  I carefully stirred the wax until it was totally melted.

Never boil the wax since it is very flammable.

I did not think the melted wax was the correct color of strawberry jam, so as a coloring agent, I added a small piece from a blue and a black crayon.

I would have added a touch of a purple crayon but that was all I could find around the house.

Melting Candle Wax with Crayon Pieces A Jar of Real Cherry Jam

It is always extremely helpful to look at the real food product to get the right shade of strawberry red.

This is a jar of cherry jam but I figured that was close enough.

Faux Jelly in a Hot Water Bath Faux Strawberry Jam Cooling

I poured the melted wax into a large heat safe measuring cup and carefully poured the wax in to each jar.

I tried to keep the wax off the rim of the jar.  I allowed the wax to cool in the water bath and then removed the jars.

To simulate a paraffin wax sealing on one jar, I melted one small broken white candle and poured it over the top.

Keep in mind that once the wax has cooled in the canning jars, it will be a lighter color.  And, now you will have either strawberry jam or jelly for your display.

Faux Strawberry Jam

The completed faux strawberry jam looks good enough to eat on toast!

Additional Note:

I still had an issue with wax sink holes, so I added more melted wax after my canning jars had cooled.

More research is needed for next time.

Sink Hole in Faux Jam