Sweet Christmas Cranberry Jam Recipe

Introduction

This Sweet Christmas Cranberry Jam combines the tartness of cranberries with the sweetness of strawberries and warm spices, creating a festive and flavorful treat. It’s perfect for holiday breakfasts, gifts, or adding a seasonal touch to your favorite recipes.

Ingredients

• 6 cups fresh or frozen strawberries (about 1 1/2 pounds)
• 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries (approximately 1/2 pound)
• 5 cups sugar (around 2 1/2 pounds)
• 2 sachets liquid fruit pectin (using 2 pouches of Certo brand at 170ml each)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon cloves

Instructions

1. Step 1: Puree the strawberries and cranberries in a food processor. If needed, puree in batches to accommodate your processor’s size. Transfer the pureed mixture to a large saucepan.
2. Step 2: Add the sugar, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and cloves to the saucepan. Stir well to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
3. Step 3: Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a full, rolling boil—bubbles should form continuously even when stirring. Boil for one full minute.
4. Step 4: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the liquid fruit pectin. Return the saucepan to the heat and bring back to a full boil. Boil for one more minute, stirring constantly, then remove from heat.
5. Step 5: Let the bubbling settle, skim off any foam with a spoon, and discard it. Ladle the hot jam into prepared hot sterilized jars, leaving about 1/4 inch of headspace. Seal jars with warm lids and screw bands on finger-tight.
6. Step 6: Place the jars in a canning pot with water covering the jars by two inches. Boil for 10 minutes with the pot covered. Carefully remove the jars and set on a heat-proof surface to cool and set undisturbed for 12 hours. Wipe jars clean and label.

Tips & Variations

• Use fresh spices for a more vibrant flavor or adjust the spice mix to your preference by adding nutmeg or allspice.
• For a smoother texture, strain the pureed berries through a fine sieve before cooking.
• Try substituting half the strawberries with raspberries for a different berry blend.
• If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the sugar by up to 1 cup but note this may affect the jam’s set.

Storage

Store sealed jam jars in a cool, dark cabinet for up to one year. Once opened, keep the jam refrigerated and use within 3 weeks. Reheat gently if desired, but avoid boiling after opening to maintain flavor and texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen berries for this recipe?

Yes, frozen strawberries and cranberries work well. There is no need to thaw them before pureeing; just process them as is.

What if I don’t have liquid fruit pectin?

Liquid fruit pectin is important for the jam to set properly. If unavailable, you can use powdered pectin, but follow the package instructions carefully for the amount and timing in the cooking process.

Sweet Christmas Cranberry Jam Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 96 reviews

• Author: Aiden
• Total Time: 45 minutes plus 12 hours cooling time
• Yield: Approximately 6 half-pint (8 oz) jars 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Sweet Christmas Cranberry Jam is a festive and flavorful homemade jam combining the tartness of cranberries with the sweetness of strawberries and warm spices. This delightful spread is perfect for holiday breakfasts, gift-giving, or adding a seasonal touch to your favorite recipes. Made by pureeing berries and cooking them with sugar, spices, and fruit pectin, then water bath processed for preservation.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fruits

• 6 cups fresh or frozen strawberries (about 1 1/2 pounds)
• 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries (approximately 1/2 pound)

Sweeteners & Thickeners

• 5 cups sugar (around 2 1/2 pounds)
• 2 sachets liquid fruit pectin (using 2 pouches of Certo brand at 170 ml each)

Spices

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon cloves

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Instructions

1. Puree the Berries: Begin by pureeing the strawberries and cranberries in your food processor. Whether the berries are fresh or frozen, the process remains the same. Depending on the size of your food processor, you may need to puree in batches to ensure an even consistency. Once pureed, transfer all of the berry mixture to a large saucepan.
2. Add Sugar and Spices: Measure the sugar and spices – cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and cloves – and add them to the saucepan containing the pureed berries. Stir well to thoroughly combine all ingredients, setting the foundation for rich flavor in your jam.
3. Boil the Jam: Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a full, rolling boil. This means bubbles will continuously rise to the surface even when stirring. Once reached, maintain the full boil for one full minute, which helps to dissolve the sugar and begin the jam-setting process.
4. Add Pectin and Boil Again: Remove the saucepan from heat and swiftly add the liquid fruit pectin. Stir to combine thoroughly and immediately return the pan to the heat. When the mixture resumes a full rolling boil, boil for another full minute while stirring constantly to activate the pectin and ensure the jam sets properly.
5. Skim Foam and Fill Jars: Allow the bubbling to settle before skimming off any foam that has formed on the surface using a spoon or ladle. Discard the foam to improve the jam’s clarity and texture. Ladle the hot jam into prepared sterilized jars, leaving about 1/4 inch headspace at the top. Seal each jar with a warm sterilized lid and finger-tighten the bands without overtightening.
6. Process and Store the Jam: Place the filled jars into a canning pot filled with enough water to cover the jars by two inches. Bring the water to a boil, cover the pot, and process the jars by boiling for 10 minutes to safely preserve the jam. After processing, carefully remove the jars and set them on a heat-proof surface to cool undisturbed for 12 hours, allowing the jam to set fully. Once cooled, wipe the jars clean, label them, and store in a cool, dark place for best shelf life.

Notes

• Using fresh or frozen berries is acceptable; frozen berries do not need to be thawed before pureeing.
• Ensure jars and lids are properly sterilized to prevent spoilage.
• Do not over-tighten jar lids before processing to allow venting and proper seal formation.
• Check seals after cooling; properly sealed jars will have lids that do not flex up or down when pressed.
• Jam can be refrigerated after opening and used within a few weeks.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Jam
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: cranberry jam, strawberry cranberry jam, Christmas jam, homemade jam, holiday preserves, fruit jam