Spiced Cranberry Christmas Jam | Irresistibly Easy and Delicious
This spiced cranberry Christmas jam perfectly pairs seasonal cranberries and oranges with traditional holiday spices. Add in a hint of summertime strawberries and its now a unique twist to your holiday menu. It makes the perfect old-fashioned Christmas present too.
For me, as a serious gardener in Northeast Wisconsin, I tend to associate jam making with what’s coming out of the garden or nearby orchards in the summer or fall months.
It isn’t something I normally make at Christmastime, but a recent incident in the kitchen inspired this delightful new recipe.
I had just stocked up on cranberries from our nearby farm market, when I woke up one morning in October and discovered the refrigerator was done. Unfortunately, there wasn’t any room for the cranberries in the freezers so I needed a creative way to use them up before spoiling.
Well, jam is my favorite thing to make, so I asked Luke to help me find jam recipes with cranberries. His search didn’t disappoint me!
I set to work crafting this spiced cranberry Christmas jam, creatively blending my favorite summer fruit with the traditional flavors of the holiday season. I hope this recipe becomes a staple in your menu lineup, delightfully engaging your guests around the dinner table this holiday season.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Full of Flavor – This jam features the signature spices of the Christmas season and the traditional flavors of bright, zesty cranberries and oranges. The surprising sweet summer taste of strawberries adds a bit of flair to this irresistibly delicious jam. Delight your guests around the holiday table this season with its unique flavor.
Quick to Make – Cranberries are high in pectin so this recipe comes together quick as a wink without any added pectin. There’s always lots to do this time of year, so less time in the kitchen sounds good to me.
For jam recipes that do require pectin, learn how to make your own with my easy homemade pectin recipe.
Perfect for Gifting – I don’t know about you, but I love a good homemade present that comes from the heart. I can’t think of anything better than gifting homemade jam. For a pretty presentation, pour this spiced cranberry Christmas jam into quarter pint sized jars and decorate with a seasonal piece of fabric on top of the lid.
Helpful Hints for Spiced Cranberry Christmas Jam
- This recipe calls for regular sugar, but you could use honey if you want to. Honey tends to have a unique profile based on the region it comes from so it could interfere with the flavor balance of the fruit and spices.
- Jam making is a very culinarily creative process. It’s versatile in nature and this recipe perfectly lends itself to that. Instead of strawberries, you could use raspberries or blueberries. Perhaps peaches or plums? If you love the sweet tangy flavor of oranges, feel free to add more. Be creative!
- Spices tend to be a common food allergy or sensitivity trigger. Leave out the spices all together or try a different combination of them. Add more if you want a stronger flavor. No sense in missing out on this delightful treat when it’s so easy to modify!
- Add the spices just before the jam is done or when it’s pulled off the burner. If added right away, the heat degrades the flavor of the spices and they’ll be undetectable in the final product.
- Resist the temptation to cook the jam too long. Pull it off the heat before you think you need to. It thickens as it cools too. Otherwise, it won’t be a spreadable consistency.
- If freezing your jam, cover with plastic wrap or parchment paper before twisting on the lid. That helps protect the flavor of the jam while stored in the freezer.
How to Make Spiced Cranberry Christmas Jam
What You’ll Need
- Cranberries and strawberries (fresh or frozen)
- Zest and juice of one orange
- Cane sugar
- Butter
- Vanilla
- Ground cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger (Azure Standard is a good place to order spices in bulk)
- Jars, lids and rings for storing
- Medium-sized saucepan
- Wooden and metal spoon
Step-by-Step Instructions
Measure out one pound of fresh or frozen strawberries and add to a medium-sized saucepan.
Next, add the cranberries, sugar, orange juice and zest and water. If water bath canning the jam, start the water boiling now. Now is also the time to place a metal spoon in the freezer.
Bring to a boil over medium to low heat. Add the butter to prevent or lessen the foam.
When the fruit has softened enough, puree to your desired consistency. Or transfer to a regular blender to puree. Return to saucepan for final cooking.
The jam is done when it sticks to the back of a frozen metal spoon.
When jam is finished, pull off the burner and stir in spices and vanilla. Ladle into jars the size of your needs. If gifting, half and quarter size pint jars are perfect. If canning, place them into the canner and process for 15 minutes.
Whether canning or freezing, leave jars sit for 12-24 hours to cool on a tea towel.
Enjoy this spiced cranberry Christmas jam on toast, pancakes or in place of a traditional cranberry sauce. It’s perfect for gifting too.
FAQ’s
How long is this jam good for?
This spiced cranberry Christmas jam is good for 18 months on the shelf if water bath canned. In the freezer, it’s best used within three-six months.
Are the strawberries needed in this recipe?
No, substitute more cranberries or use a different fruit like blueberries, peaches or plums.
How is this jam used?
Enjoy this jam on toast, pancakes or your favorite breakfast item. It’s also good inside a homemade hand pie (pop-tart) or in place of traditional cranberry sauce.
More Christmas Recipes From Becky
Sourdough Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls
Chocolate Sourdough Cookies with Espresso and Cherries
Citrus Sourdough Sugar Cookies
Simple Christmas Cocktail Shrub with Oranges and Cloves
And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Luke 1:30-33
If you make this recipe and love it, I’d love it if you gave it a 5-star review! Any questions or comments leave them in the comments below. Tag me with your photos on Instagram @beckybuttlesamericana.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! -Becky
Spiced Cranberry Christmas Jam
This spiced cranberry Christmas jam perfectly pairs seasonal cranberries and oranges with traditional holiday spices. Add in a hint of summertime strawberries and its now a unique twist to your holiday menu. It makes the perfect old-fashioned Christmas present too.
Ingredients
- 16 oz. fresh or frozen strawberries
- 16 oz. fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 orange (zest and juice)
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 teaspoon butter
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Measure out one pound of fresh or frozen strawberries and add to a medium-sized saucepan.
- Next, add the cranberries, sugar, orange juice and zest and water. If water bath canning the jam, start the water boiling now. Now is also the time to place a metal spoon in the freezer.
- Bring to a boil over medium to low heat. Add the butter to prevent or lessen the foam.
- When the fruit has softened enough, puree to your desired consistency. Or transfer to a regular blender to puree. Return to saucepan for final cooking.
- The jam is done when it sticks to the back of a frozen metal spoon.
- When jam is finished, pull off the burner and stir in spices and vanilla. Ladle into jars the size of your needs. If gifting, half and quarter size pint jars are perfect. If canning, place them into the canner and process for 15 minutes.
- Whether canning or freezing, leave jars sit for 12-24 hours to cool on a tea towel.
Notes
- This recipe calls for regular sugar, but you could use honey if you want to. Honey tends to have a unique profile based on the region it comes from so it could interfere with the flavor balance of the fruit and spices.
- Jam making is a very culinarily creative process. It's versatile in nature and this recipe perfectly lends itself to that. Instead of strawberries, you could use raspberries or blueberries. Perhaps peaches or plums? If you love the sweet tangy flavor of oranges, feel free to add more. Be creative!
- Spices tend to be a common food allergy or sensitivity trigger. Leave out the spices all together or try a different combination of them. Add more if you want a stronger flavor. No sense in missing out on this delightful treat when it's so easy to modify!
- Add the spices just before the jam is done or when it's pulled off the burner. If added right away, the heat degrades the flavor of the spices and they'll be undetectable in the final product.
- Resist the temptation to cook the jam too long. Pull it off the heat before you think you need to. It thickens as it cools too. Otherwise, it won't be a spreadable consistency.
- If freezing your jam, cover with plastic wrap or parchment paper before twisting on the lid. That helps protect the flavor of the jam while stored in the freezer.
I’m a wife and homemaker inspiring old-fashioned skills always with a warm beverage in hand. Homemade Recipes. Gardening. Preserving. Healthy Living.
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