strawberry kiwi jam and baguettes

just some jam & baguettes on a rainy spring day

When we finally had a lovely, beautiful, gorgeous sunny day in Madrid this past Tuesday, I was wandering around my neighborhood, La Latina, and decided to pop into my local fruteria to browse for some goodies. Immediately, my eyes landed on the most perfect strawberries—packed in a sweet little wooden box, bright and red. That was the moment my heart said, "It's time to make jam."

During Christmas, I made cookies and brought them and flowers to my neighbors to spread some holiday cheer, and one of them gifted me homemade jam in return. It was made with honey, apples, and kiwi—a combo I’d never tried before but loved. That little jar inspired me to use kiwi in my own jam, and so I picked up a few of those, along with my beautiful strawberries, a lemon, and hurried home with full jam-making intentions.

But the day got ahead of me, and I had to get ready for work, so I told myself: tomorrow. I'll sit in the sun, jam in hand, and enjoy a sweet moment with toast and tea. But as Madrid weather would have it—rain. Another spring rainstorm (again... hahaha, I’m fine. No really. Don’t ask).

So instead of a sun-soaked picnic moment, I leaned into the coziness and decided to bake bread to pair with the jam. Specifically? Baguettes. I’d never made them before, but something about that rainy morning made it feel right. And while they were far from perfect, they were still soft, crusty, warm, and—most importantly—mine. Homemade always hits different.

What started as a simple idea to make jam for my friends I’m seeing this weekend turned into a two-day, five-hour-long baking mission. And honestly? No regrets. Sure, I was juggling a million other things at the same time, but now I have jam that will last a while and a new baking adventure checked off my list. So was it a waste of time? Absolutely not. Or at least, not in my book!

Below, you’ll find my super simple jam recipe and my beginner baguette attempt. Now, for a real baguette technique, definitely check out a proper French baker. But hey—if you’re already here, might as well take a peek at how mine turned out.

Whether you’re basking in the sun (jealous!) or curled up inside with the rain tapping at your window, I hope you take a little moment to make something sweet this week. And if you try a jam combo of your own, let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear what you come up with.

Until next time,

xoxo,
Avalon <3