Christmas Jam Recipe

The holidays are just around the corner, and there’s no better way to bring the festive spirit into your home than with a batch of homemade Christmas Jam. This vibrant and delicious spread combines the tartness of cranberries and strawberries with the warmth of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, making it the perfect addition to your holiday table. Whether you’re spreading it on toast, serving it with cheese and crackers, or giving it as a thoughtful homemade gift, this Christmas Jam is bound to become a holiday favorite.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of making this delightful holiday jam from scratch. Not only is it simple to prepare, but it also captures the flavors of the season in every spoonful. Let’s get started!

Why You’ll Love Christmas Jam

This Christmas Jam is more than just a delicious spread; it’s a true celebration of holiday flavors. Here are a few reasons why this jam is sure to become a staple in your kitchen:

• Festive flavors: The combination of cranberries, strawberries, and warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg make this jam taste like Christmas in a jar.
• Versatile uses: You can enjoy this jam on toast, biscuits, scones, or as part of a holiday cheese board. It also makes a wonderful filling for holiday cookies or pastries.
• Great for gifting: Homemade jams make thoughtful and personal gifts for friends, family, and neighbors during the holiday season. Simply package them in a festive jar, and you’ve got a heartfelt, homemade gift.
• Easy to make: You don’t need to be an expert in the kitchen to make this Christmas Jam. With just a handful of ingredients and a little time, you can whip up a batch that will last through the holiday season.
• Perfect for preserving: This jam can be preserved in sterilized jars and stored for months, allowing you to enjoy the flavors of Christmas long after the holiday season has passed.

Now that you’re excited to get started, let’s dive into the step-by-step process of making this festive jam!

Ingredients for Christmas Jam

To create this festive jam, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients that come together to create a burst of holiday flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 2 cups cranberries (fresh or frozen): Cranberries add a beautiful tartness and a vibrant red color to the jam, making it both visually appealing and delicious.
• 2 cups strawberries (fresh or frozen): Strawberries bring a natural sweetness that balances the tartness of the cranberries, adding a lovely depth of flavor.
• 1 apple, peeled and diced: Apples help thicken the jam and add a subtle sweetness that complements the other fruits.
• 1 orange, juiced and zested: The orange zest and juice enhance the flavor of the jam by adding brightness and citrusy notes.
• 2 cups sugar: Sugar not only sweetens the jam but also helps preserve it for longer storage.
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon: Cinnamon adds warmth and a cozy spice to the jam, evoking memories of holiday baking.
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves: Cloves contribute a deep, rich flavor that pairs perfectly with the other spices and fruit.
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg: Nutmeg adds a hint of sweetness and spice, rounding out the holiday flavor profile.

These ingredients, when combined, create a harmonious blend of flavors that scream “Christmas!”

How to Make Christmas Jam: Step-by-Step Instructions

Making this festive Christmas Jam is a breeze, and the end result is well worth the effort. Follow these simple steps to create your own batch of homemade holiday goodness:

1. Prepare the Fruit

Start by preparing the fruit for the jam. In a large pot, combine the cranberries, strawberries, diced apple, orange juice, and orange zest. If you’re using frozen fruit, there’s no need to thaw it first—just add it straight to the pot. The combination of these fruits gives the jam a perfect balance of tart and sweet, with the apple helping to thicken the mixture naturally.

2. Simmer the Fruit

Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring the fruit mixture to a boil. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer. You’ll want to cook the fruit until it softens and begins to break down, which should take about 10-15 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the mixture from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

3. Add Sugar and Spices

Once the fruit is soft, it’s time to add the sugar, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and ground nutmeg. These spices are what give the jam its warm, holiday flavor, while the sugar helps balance the tartness of the cranberries. Stir everything together well, ensuring the sugar is fully dissolved and the spices are evenly distributed.

4. Thicken the Jam

Continue to simmer the mixture, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to a jam-like consistency. This process usually takes around 20-25 minutes, but you’ll know it’s ready when the jam coats the back of a spoon. If you prefer a smoother texture, you can use an immersion blender to break down any remaining chunks of fruit, but leaving it slightly chunky gives the jam a more rustic feel.

5. Sterilize Jars and Fill

While the jam is thickening, prepare your jars. If you’re planning to store the jam for an extended period, it’s important to use sterilized jars to ensure the jam stays fresh. You can sterilize jars by boiling them in water for 10 minutes, then letting them air dry on a clean towel.

Once the jam is ready, carefully ladle the hot jam into the sterilized jars, leaving about 1/4 inch of space at the top to allow for expansion as the jam cools. Be sure to wipe the rims of the jars clean before sealing them with lids.

6. Cool and Store

After filling the jars, let the jam cool completely at room temperature. Once cooled, store the jars in a cool, dark place, or refrigerate them for up to 3-4 weeks. If you’ve sterilized the jars properly, the jam can be stored for up to a year in a pantry.

Ways to Enjoy Christmas Jam

Now that you’ve made a delicious batch of Christmas Jam, it’s time to enjoy it! Here are a few ways to incorporate this festive spread into your holiday celebrations:

• On toast or biscuits: Christmas Jam is perfect for spreading on warm toast or buttery biscuits for a cozy holiday breakfast.
• As a cheese board accompaniment: Pair this jam with a variety of cheeses, such as brie or sharp cheddar, for a festive and flavorful addition to your holiday charcuterie board.
• In desserts: Use this jam as a filling for holiday cookies, pastries, or even thumbprint cookies for a sweet, fruity surprise.
• As a gift: Package your Christmas Jam in decorative jars, tie a ribbon around them, and give them as thoughtful, homemade gifts to friends and family.
• On pancakes or waffles: Drizzle this jam over pancakes or waffles for a holiday-inspired breakfast that’s sure to impress.

Tips for Perfect Christmas Jam

• Use fresh or frozen fruit: This recipe works equally well with fresh or frozen fruit, so feel free to use whichever is more convenient. If using frozen fruit, there’s no need to thaw it before cooking.
• Adjust the sweetness: If you prefer a slightly less sweet jam, you can reduce the amount of sugar to taste. However, keep in mind that sugar also acts as a preservative, so if you’re planning to store the jam for an extended period, it’s best not to reduce the sugar too much.
• Don’t skip the spices: The combination of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg is what gives this jam its warm, holiday flavor. If you’re not a fan of one of the spices, feel free to adjust the amounts to suit your taste.

A Festive Holiday Treat for Everyone

This Christmas Jam is the perfect way to bring the flavors of the holiday season into your home. With its vibrant color, tart-sweet flavor, and warm spices, it’s a versatile spread that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Whether you’re serving it on Christmas morning, giving it as a gift, or enjoying it as part of a holiday snack, this jam is sure to bring a little extra joy to your holiday celebrations.

Ready to start cooking? Head over to our website for more delicious holiday recipes and tips on how to make your Christmas extra special this year!