I'll probably get slagged off for this, but I cheat and use Candico jam-making sugar. It's so easy - you just mix 1 kg of fruit with 1 kg of jam, stir and bring to a slow boil for 4 minutes.
I think that Candico is a Belgian company (I live in Belgium), but I'm sure that this sugar or another manufacturer's will be available elsewhere.
http://www.candico.be/consument/FR/index3800-600%20FR.htm