Naturally Sweet Food in Jars is my third cookbook and was published in March 2016. It focuses on preserving with honey, maple, agave, coconut sugar, fruit juice concentrates, and dried fruits. You can find an array of ordering options here.
The idea for this book was initially sparked by this post, as well as the many alternatively sweetened recipes that have come since on this site. The finished book features more than 100 recipes for preserves, as well as a handful of recipes designed to help you use up some of what you’ve put up.
I had two primary goals in mind when I was writing Naturally Sweet. The first was to translate some of my most beloved sugar-sweetened recipes into those that used less refined sweeteners.
The second objective was to create new and novel recipes that would be safe for canning and that featured the various sweeteners in ways that made the most of their unique, individual flavors.
I also wanted to help change the conversation about preserving. So often, people dismiss it because they feel like the products created when you preserve aren’t always the healthiest.
However, by shining a spotlight on alternative sweeteners, I feel like I’ve created a collection of recipes that are able to balance health concerns with issues of safety and shelf stability.
And, as always, the recipes are relatively small batches that don’t require too much of your time and energy.
Happy birthday! I like spice cake!
I think my favorite birthday food was probably the salted caramel chocolate cake a friend made for me one year. It was terribly rich, and none of us could eat much despite her pleading that we eat more. It felt indulgent in just the right way.
Happy Birthday!! BBQ chicken with my mom’s sauce! Yum!!
Whatever I’m obsessed with at the time. Last year: Sushi!
Hope you have a wonderful birthday!
Happy Birthday! I can eat anything on my birthday as long as it’s with family and friends.
I love a rich chocolate cake on my birthday. And cheese fondue for dinner!
From my vegetarian days, I’m still a sucker for vegetable lasagna but I’d also have my mom’s eggrolls for my birthday before having a mango dessert as the b-day cake.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday!!
Happiest birthday Marisa! Hope you have a fantastic celebration and thanks for the giveaway generosity. My birthday favorites are made by my mom—for the meal my choice is always Spätzle with Goulasch and for dessert angel food cake with fresh strawberries and raspberries and fresh whipping cream. And I always love a glass of sparkling wine to accompany 😉
I love any home made cake for my birthday. After so many years of store bought super sweet cake, home made only. I hope someone makes you a cake today, Happy Birthday!
I like to have what ever sounds good on my birthday:) Have a Happy Birthday!
Well, pffuey! Was going to wish you a very Happy Birthday without the instruction to do so! Still – have a terrific day.
There. That’s done… 😉
I never like to make a big deal about my birthday, but will always be willing and able to eat a burger from some place I haven’t tried yet. of course with a side of pickles….
Happy Birthday!!
Happy birthday Marisa! I own your first two books and this one would be a wonderful addition.
My birthday is coming up a week from Monday and I have big plans for a fancy sushi dinner. When it comes to dessert, though, I don’t really have a favorite. I love fruit pies and chocolate cake equally, so we’ll have to see what piques my interest when the time comes.
Happy birthday! love your blog.
Happy birthday! I always have to have ice cream on my birthday.
Happy birthday! I enjoy a total indulgence at Texas DE Brazil, a steakhouse where they fire roast dozens of different meats and walk by your table over and over and stuff you to bursting. Lol.
HBD! fruit pies over cake any day!
Happy Birthday Marisa!! Thank you for your for all of sweet books that bring such joy when I am in search of fun new canning ideas. I hope you have a lovely birthday!
My favorite birthday food would be a chocolate crossaint with a perfectly made cappicino! Cheers.
Happy birthday to you! My birthday is this month also and I’m hoping for pie. Any kind of pie but berry or strawberry-rhubarb comes to mind at this moment.
Happy birthday!!! My favorite birthday treat is a strawberry whipped cream cake
Happy birthday, Marisa! My favorite birthday treat is a big sweet hazelnutty iced latte.
Happy birthday! I love to celebrate with an extended brunch with all kinds of savory and sweet things, several home made jams as spread for a fresh baked brioche loaf included.
Happy birthday! I like cake for breakfast on my birthday.
Pulled pork samdwiches and potato fries
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Happy Birthday! Hope it is wonderful! My family has been enjoying all of the preserves we’ve made from your first two cookbooks and we can’t wait to try sugar free options from your new book. Yay!
So, every year for my birthday I have carrot cake, but it has to be my mom’s recipe!
Happy Birthday! I love to make chocolate cake!
I my love birthday cake; sometimes a spice cake, or white or yellow but I always make it for myself and I love sharing it. The only downside is my birthday is on Christmas and with all the other food I sometimes feel bad serving a piece of cake after Christmas dinner. This year due to a happy accident, I had a bunch of vegan chocolate chip cookie dough in the freezer. We dipped it in chocolate and that is what we ate in place of cake! Happy Birthday Marisa! I hope the sun shines on your day!
Happy birthday! I like to have chocolate cake for my birthday, and shrimp, but not in that order. 🙂
Happy birthday! My favorite birthday meal (since I was a little kid) consists of my dad’s baked chicken, real mashed potatoes, and corn on the cob.
Happy birthday! My favorite thing to have for my birthday is “snow tunnel” cake. Basically, hollowed out angel food cake, filled with chocolate pudding and then iced with cool whip!
I love Italian food anytime, so if I can get that for my birthday (especially if someone else makes it), it’s a happy birthday for me!
Happy Birthday! Every year on my birthday I have to have chili dogs and gravy fries.
Happy Birthday! I love cinnamon rolls and coffees for my birthday breakfast 🙂
Happy, happy birthday! A beautiful way to celebrate — thank you for sharing. CHEERS to you.
Happy Birthday Marissa! Fave birthday food: sushi!
Happy birthday! My birthday is Tuesday. 🙂 I’m hoping to have lemon cake. Yum!
I know everybody typically loves cake on their birthday, but I always try and find pie! And since I’m in the South, cobbler works also 😉 Happy birthday!
I don’t care for icing or frosting if you prefer, so I would rather have my favorite pie. Cherry Cheese Pie. And Happy Birthday to you.
Happy Birthday Marisa!
Happy birthday! Cake is always a favourite but tradition in my family is noodle to symbolize long life.
Happy Birthday! The girls at work get me an Irish Cream cake from a local bakery and it is so good!
I’d like to make a vegan crostata to celebrate my birthday!
Happy birthday! My favorite birthday food is pizza–ideally multiple pizzas where I decide all the topping combos. Living large!
A big Happy Birthday to you. I like a cheesecake instead of a birthday cake.
happy birthday!!!
Happy Birthday! On my birthday, in lieu of cake, my husband bakes me a giant chocolate chip cookie. What more could a girl ask for. I don’t like cake, and I make the ice cream… so with him supplying the cookie, Happy Birthday. Wishing you a wonderful birthday!
Happy birthday! I would probable have to pick my mom’s lasagna!
Hooray for May irthdays, mine is on Tuesday and although I have to work I will look forward to cake with my coworkers and dinner out with my honey that night.