Christmas Jam Recipe Sweet, tangy, and bursting with holiday flavor
— this jam tastes like Christmas in a jar! It’s a beautiful mix of strawberries and cranberries with warm spices. Perfect for gifting or spreading on toast, biscuits, or even over cream cheese with crackers.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries (hulled and chopped)
- 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 (1.75 oz) box fruit pectin (like Sure-Jell)
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice (about 1 medium orange)
- 5 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions:
- Prepare the fruit:
In a large saucepan, combine the strawberries, cranberries, and orange juice.
Cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries start to pop and the mixture softens. - Mash or blend:
Use a potato masher (or an immersion blender) to lightly crush the fruit. You can leave it chunky or make it smoother — your choice! - Add pectin:
Stir in the pectin and lemon juice. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil (a boil that doesn’t stop bubbling when stirred). - Add sugar and spices:
Add the sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Stir constantly and bring back to a rolling boil.
Boil for 1 minute exactly, then remove from heat. - Skim foam (optional):
If foam forms on top, skim it off with a spoon. - Jar it up:
Immediately ladle hot jam into sterilized jars, leaving about ¼ inch at the top.
Wipe rims clean, seal tightly, and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes if storing long-term.
(If you’re keeping it in the fridge, no need to water-bath — just let it cool, then refrigerate.)
Storage:
- Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
- If canned properly, lasts up to 1 year in a cool, dark place.
Tips:
- For a festive twist, stir in a splash of vanilla extract or orange zest at the end.
- This jam makes a lovely homemade Christmas gift — decorate jars with ribbons and tags!
