Introduction
Christmas jam is a festive, sweet-tart preserve made with cranberries, strawberries, warm spices, and citrus. It is traditionally prepared during the holiday season and makes a perfect homemade gift. Spread it on toast, serve with pastries, or use it as a flavorful addition to charcuterie boards.
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Description
This Christmas jam combines the brightness of cranberries with the sweetness of strawberries, enhanced by cinnamon, cloves, and a touch of orange. The jam thickens to a vibrant ruby color with a balanced flavor that tastes like the holidays in a jar. It is simple to prepare and stores well for several months when properly canned.
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Ingredients
For the Christmas Jam
2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
2 cups crushed strawberries (fresh or frozen)
4 cups granulated sugar
1 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon orange zest
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 packet powdered fruit pectin (1.75 ounces)
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Instructions
1. In a large pot, combine cranberries and orange juice. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5–7 minutes until the cranberries soften and begin to burst.
2. Add the crushed strawberries, orange zest, cinnamon, and cloves. Stir well.
3. Mix in the powdered pectin and bring the mixture to a full rolling boil.
4. Add the sugar gradually while stirring. Return to a full rolling boil and cook for 1–2 minutes.
5. Remove from heat and skim off any foam.
6. Ladle the hot jam into sterilized jars, leaving about 1/4 inch of headspace.
7. Wipe the rims, seal with lids, and process the jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
8. Let jars cool completely and check that the lids have sealed.
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Tips
Use fresh cranberries for the brightest flavor and color, but frozen works well too.
Sterilize jars by boiling them for at least 10 minutes or running through a dishwasher cycle.
If you prefer a smoother jam, briefly blend the mixture before adding pectin.
Allow the jam to sit for 24 hours after canning to fully set.
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Variations
Spiced Christmas Jam: Add nutmeg, cardamom, or allspice for extra warmth.
Citrus Blend: Replace part of the orange juice with lemon or lime juice for a sharper flavor.
Low-Sugar Version: Use low-sugar pectin and reduce the sugar according to the package instructions.
Berry Mix: Add raspberries or blueberries for a deeper berry profile.
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Correction
If the jam is too runny after cooling, you may not have boiled it long enough after adding sugar; you can reboil the jam with an additional half packet of pectin.
If the jam is too thick, you may have over-reduced it; stir in a small amount of hot water to loosen before canning.
If the flavor is too tart, increase sugar slightly or reduce cranberries by one fourth.
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Enjoy
Enjoy this festive Christmas jam on biscuits, toast, holiday pastries, or alongside cheese and crackers. It also makes a thoughtful handmade gift packed into decorative jars. If you want, I can provide labels, gift tag wording, or a sugar-free version.