Rating: 3.64
(46)

Christmas Jam

December 13, 2024

Christmas jam is the perfect homemade treat to celebrate the flavors of the holiday season. Bursting with the bright, tangy sweetness of fresh fruits like cranberries, oranges, and apples, this jam is infused with festive spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and ginger, creating a vibrant, aromatic spread that’s perfect for holiday breakfasts, gift-giving, or enjoying with family and friends.

The base of Christmas jam usually features a mix of fruits, with cranberries being the star of the show. The tartness of the cranberries is balanced beautifully by the natural sweetness of apples and the citrusy zing of oranges, creating a harmonious blend of flavors. The addition of holiday spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg not only enhances the sweetness of the fruit but also brings a comforting, warm fragrance that’s reminiscent of the season.

Making Christmas jam is relatively simple. The fruit is combined with sugar and spices and cooked down until it thickens into a jam-like consistency. The mixture is simmered until the fruit breaks down and the syrupy texture is achieved, creating a spreadable treat that’s perfect for toast, scones, or even as a topping for holiday desserts. Some recipes even add a splash of vanilla or brandy to give the jam an extra depth of flavor, making it even more indulgent.

One of the best things about Christmas jam is its versatility. It can be used in a variety of ways: spread on warm biscuits, stirred into yogurt, or even drizzled over cheesecake or ice cream for a festive touch. It also makes a wonderful homemade gift, packaged in pretty jars with festive ribbons or labels, making it a thoughtful and personal present for friends and family.

Christmas jam captures the essence of the season in every bite. The combination of fresh fruits and spices, paired with the sweetness of sugar, makes it a delightful addition to any holiday spread. Whether you enjoy it at breakfast, as a gift, or as a festive treat throughout the season, Christmas jam is a delicious way to bring holiday cheer to your table.

Christmas Jam
Christmas Jam
3.64 from 46 votes
A delightful and festive jam packed with holiday flavors, perfect for spreading on toast or gifting during the Christmas season.
Servings 1 people
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups strawberries hulled and mashed
  • 2 cups cranberries fresh or frozen
  • 4 cups sugar granulated
  • 1 cup apple juice unsweetened
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon optional
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves optional
  • 1 package liquid pectin 3-ounce package

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot, combine strawberries, cranberries, sugar, apple juice, cinnamon, and cloves (if using) over medium heat.
  • Stir constantly until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture comes to a boil.
  • Reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cranberries pop and soften.
  • Remove from heat and let cool slightly, then blend the mixture with an immersion blender or in a blender until smooth.
  • Return blended mixture to the pot, bring back to a boil, and stir in the liquid pectin.
  • Boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
  • Pour the jam into sterilized jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace, and seal with lids.
  • Process jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. Remove and let cool completely before storing.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 50kcalCarbohydrates: 13gPotassium: 10mgSugar: 12gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 5mg
Calories: 50kcal
Meal Type: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Christmas, food, holiday
Cooking Method: Baked
Time: >45 Min
Level: Easy
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Join the Conversation
  1. 1 star
    Not for me. Too sweet! Next time I’ll cut the sugar.

    1. User avatar bambi.predovic1968 says:

      4 stars
      Totally get it! It can be really sweet. Maybe try using less sugar next time or add some lemon juice for tang.

  2. User avatar numbers.ziemann40 says:

    5 stars
    Yum! Just the right blend of flavors, especially with the cinnamon! 🍓❤️

  3. User avatar travis.green32 says:

    4 stars
    So easy to make! I didn’t have pectin so I just let it cook longer. Still turned out delicious!

  4. User avatar reuben.krajcik56 says:

    4 stars
    Yum! I made it exactly like the recipe said. Surprised my friends with some jars as gifts. They were impressed! 🙂

  5. User avatar apryl.feeney1959 says:

    3 stars
    Why do I have to blend it? I like my jam chunky. Maybe I’ll try it without blending. Seems like a lot of sugar too.

  6. User avatar rickiestmorty says:

    5 stars
    This is my grandma’s recipe, I swear! Same exact ingredients. Thanks for sharing it!

  7. User avatar basementDweller says:

    3 stars
    I tried this but it was too sweet for my taste. Maybe less sugar next time. Also, the cranberries didn’t pop as much as I expected. Not sure if I did it right.

  8. User avatar gretta.waelchi96 says:

    3 stars
    Not sure about the apple juice. Can I just use water instead? 🤔

  9. 2 stars
    This recipe is kinda odd. Does anyone really use cloves in jam? It’s not like you can taste them anyway! 🤔

  10. User avatar mikaela.osinski27 says:

    4 stars
    Im not a baker or cook or whatever but I managed to make this. It was kinda fun! My jam isn’t as red as the pic tho. Help! Is that normal?

    1. User avatar joaquin.prohaska says:

      5 stars
      Congrats on making the jam! It’s totally normal for the color to vary a bit, depending on your fruit and mash technique. Just enjoy the sweetness!

    2. 3 stars
      I’m not sure if that’s right… my jam always turns out super red. Maybe you didn’t use enough strawberries? 🤔

  11. User avatar MAGA2024.Trumpster says:

    4 stars
    I’ve never made jam before, but this was easy to follow! Thanks for sharing!

  12. User avatar bryan.beahan59 says:

    5 stars
    Delicious! Reminds me of my grandma’s recipe. ❤️

  13. User avatar Kirk Stracke says:

    5 stars
    This jam is so tasty! I made it for Christmas and everyone loved it. Definitely a keeper! 🎄

  14. User avatar rickiestmorty says:

    3 stars
    I love the combination but I think cranberries are way too sour. Bleh.

  15. User avatar Mr. Pedro Miller says:

    2 stars
    Is this really a Christmas jam? I mean, it’s good, but I think it tastes better in the summer. Just my opinion tho.

  16. User avatar nathaniel.sawayn says:

    3 stars
    I dunno about this, sounds too sweet with all that sugar. Tried reducing it but didn’t turn out right. Next time, I think I’ll skip the apple juice.

  17. User avatar reagan.armstrong2022 says:

    5 stars
    This jam is amazing! It’s like Christmas in a jar. My family loved it!

    1. User avatar melodie.wunsch says:

      5 stars
      I totally agree! This jam is the best. Makes every breakfast feel like the holidays!

  18. User avatar maple.boehm1964 says:

    5 stars
    This jam turned out amazing! The blend of strawberries and cranberries is so delightful. My family loved it over toast. Definitely making this every Christmas!

  19. User avatar logan.adams says:

    3 stars
    I don’t really get why you need pectin. Can’t you just cook it longer?

  20. User avatar omer.lowe says:

    2 stars
    This jam turned out way too sweet for my taste. Next time I’ll reduce the sugar.

  21. User avatar colin.ankunding says:

    4 stars
    Wow, I can’t believe I actually made jam! Took a bit longer than I thought but tasted amazing! Yum! 🍓

    1. User avatar louanne.kreiger says:

      5 stars
      That’s awesome! Making jam is such a fun project, and it sounds delicious! I might give it a try too. 🍓

  22. User avatar eleanore.stroman24 says:

    1 star
    Why do you have to process it in a water bath?? Seems unnecessary. I just jarred it raw!

    1. User avatar Sofia Hackett PhD says:

      5 stars
      Processing in a water bath is actually really important for safety! It helps to seal the jars properly and prevents bacteria. Just jarring it raw might not be safe in the long run. Better to be safe than sorry, right?

  23. User avatar oPandariaNo says:

    3 stars
    Can you really use frozen cranberries? I thought they had to be fresh. 🤔

  24. 2 stars
    Aww man, I messed up the pectin part. Can someone help? What did I do wrong?

  25. User avatar Shadowfax says:

    1 star
    🥵 a lot of steps and I messed up the water bath part so it’s probably not safe to eat. Guess I just wasted all those strawberries.

  26. User avatar kelsie.schmidt says:

    4 stars
    Super sweet! I think next time I’ll use less sugar. But still yummy!

    1. 4 stars
      I love it sweet! But yeah, sugar is a lot. Maybe I’ll try less next time too.

  27. User avatar Wellington Yueh says:

    5 stars
    I made this for Christmas and it was a hit! Everyone loved it. Thanks!

  28. User avatar donovan.runolfsdottir says:

    2 stars
    Only 2 cups strawberries? I use more for better taste. Just saying!

  29. User avatar Princess Zelda says:

    4 stars
    Christmas xmas jam! Yum!

  30. User avatar antonia.kautzer93 says:

    5 stars
    Yummmm! 😋 Best jam ever for toast and gifts! Thanks for sharing this recipe!

  31. User avatar Barry Manilow says:

    1 star
    Not my cup of tea. Tried it and didn’t like the cloves. Going back to my old recipe.

  32. User avatar damon.boyle says:

    3 stars
    Help! I forgot the cloves. Does it still taste good without it?

  33. 5 stars
    This jam is a Christmas miracle! I made it for my family and they devoured it. So easy and delicious!

  34. User avatar steve_maga says:

    5 stars
    This jam is sooo good! Perfect for Christmas toast. Will make again!

    1. User avatar dana.kunde54 says:

      5 stars
      I’m so glad you loved it! It’s my favorite during the holidays too!

  35. User avatar lavonda.gleason16 says:

    4 stars
    Christmas jam? I thought it was just strawberry! Makes worth a try.

  36. User avatar terry.beahan says:

    4 stars
    The cloves made it taste weird, I will skip them next time. But overall, it wasn’t too bad!

  37. User avatar tamesha.harvey2013 says:

    2 stars
    I think I added too much sugar. Can I use less? My jam tastes like candy, not fruit!

  38. User avatar devorah.barrows says:

    5 stars
    I made this for my holiday party, and everyone raved about it! Definitely making again!

3.64 from 46 votes
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