This Easy Christmas Jam recipe is brimming with cranberries and the wonderful flavors of the season. This homemade jam can be a great gift or a special treat for yourself!
This homemade Christmas Jam is perfect for the holiday season. It's made with seasonal cranberries and the addition of the spices gives a wonderfully warming flavour and aroma which is quintessential this time of year.
Jars of jam make excellent homemade gifts thanks to their long shelf life. I love that you can use fresh or frozen fruit and get the same delicious results!
You may also like to try this Instant Pot Strawberry Jam with Rhubarb
I love this Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce with my Christmas dinner.
Christmas Jam Ingredients
Ingredients should be available at your local grocery store.
Cranberries - I used frozen cranberries but you can use the same volume of fresh cranberries too.
Orange - for peel and juice.
Spices - cloves (alternatively ground cloves), cinnamon stick, star anise, ginger powder.
Sugar - I used white granulated sugar. I recommend sticking to the amount given as less sugar might prevent the jam from setting.
Variations
Strawberry Cranberry Jam - add half fresh strawberries and half cranberries to this recipe. Frozen strawberries work too.
You can experiment with the holiday spices - you may want to add in or substitute some of the spices above. Nutmeg and cardamom are also fantastic options.
How to make Christmas Jam
In a heavy bottomed saucepan, add the cranberries, sugar, spices, orange peel or orange zest and orange juice.
Bring the fruit mixture to a full rolling boil. Once it reaches a boil, reduce to a low heat and allow to cook and thicken for about 5-10 minutes.
Stir at occasions to prevent burning. I used the back of my spoon to gently crush the cranberries but you can use a potato masher too.
To check that the jam is ready, I like to use chilled plates. Place a plate in the fridge or freezer until it is cold. Ensure you take the jam off the heat source at this point. Drop a little jam onto the plate and allow it to cool. You can now either turn the plate upside down or sideways. If the jam remains stuck, it is ready. If it slides off, it needs another minute of cooking time.
You can also push a finger through the jam - it will crinkle if it is set.
Allow the hot jam to cool slightly before spooning into jam jars. You can place it in the fridge once it has reach room temperature
Serving Suggestions
Spread onto warm toast with a bit of butter for a sweet morning treat or snack.
Spread onto puff pastry with cream cheese and bake until the pastry is golden to make Cranberry Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Pinwheels. They make a fantastic appetizer for the holidays.
Use in thumbprint cookies or linzer cookies to make Christmas Jam Cookies
Use it in these Orange and Cranberry Scones.
It is also great with savoury biscuits or crackers with a selection of cheeses.
Storage
Store this jam in the fridge as soon as it reaches room temperature. I recommend consuming within 2-3 weeks.
To freeze, place the jam in freezer safe containers or sealable bags. Freeze for up to one year.
Other Christmas recipes
Non Alcoholic Mimosa - enjoy this booze-free treat on Christmas morning
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Christmas Jam
Equipment
- 1 Saucepan
- 1 Spatula
- 1 Jar with lid
Ingredients
- 1 cup cranberries
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ cup orange juice
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1 small cinnamon
- 3 cloves
- 1 star anise
- ½ teaspoon ginger powder
Instructions
- In a heavy bottomed saucepan, add the cranberries, sugar, spices, orange zest and orange juice.
- Bring the fruit mixture to a full rolling boil. Once it reaches a boil, reduce to a low heat and allow to cook and thicken for about 5-10 minutes.
- Stir at occasions to prevent burning. I used the back of my spoon to gently crush the cranberries but you can use a potato masher too.
- Allow the hot jam to cool slightly before spooning into jam jars. You can place it in the fridge once it has reached room temperature.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
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