Start by preparing your jars and lids to ensure they are free of any bacteria. Boil them in a large pot of water for 10 minutes to sterilize. Once boiled, carefully remove the jars and lids using tongs, and allow them to air dry completely on a clean towel.

In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, pour in freshly squeezed orange juice and add the sugar. Stir the mixture gently over medium heat until the sugar is mostly dissolved, which should take about 3-5 minutes. The mixture will begin to look glossy, signaling you’re ready for the next step.

While your sugar and orange juice are combining, take your vanilla beans and carefully split them down the middle. Using the back of a knife, scrape out the fragrant seeds. Add both the seeds and the split pods into the pot with your orange juice mixture to enhance the flavors of the Dreamsicle Jelly.

Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a full boil. Stir often to prevent scorching as it heats up. You’ll know it’s boiling when large bubbles form and break rapidly on the surface. Boil for about 1-2 minutes until it reaches the desired bubbling state.

Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the mixture cook for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Keep an eye on it, and when the jelly thickens, begin performing a plate test. To do this, spoon a small amount onto a chilled plate, let it sit for a moment, and then tilt the plate to check for a gel-like consistency.

Once your Dreamsicle Jelly has reached the right thickness, carefully remove the vanilla pods using tongs. This step is crucial, as you want the jelly to have the flavor of vanilla without the texture of the pods.

Ladle the hot jelly into your sterilized jars, making sure to leave about 1/4-inch headspace at the top. Be cautious as the jelly will be very hot! Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean cloth to ensure a proper seal before placing the lids on.

To ensure your Dreamsicle Jelly lasts, process the sealed jars in a boiling water bath. Place them in a boiling pot and cover with water. Boil for 10 minutes to create a vacuum seal, which helps preserve the jelly. Once done, remove the jars and let them cool completely on a clean towel or cooling rack.