Christmas Cranberry-Strawberry Spiced Jam Recipe
Introduction
This Christmas Jam is a festive and flavorful spread perfect for the holiday season. Made with fresh cranberries and strawberries, spiced with warm cinnamon and nutmeg, it’s a delicious addition to toast, cheese boards, or holiday desserts.
Ingredients
- 24 oz. fresh cranberries (about 6 cups)
- 16 oz. fresh strawberries
- 1½ tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp. ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp. ground cloves
- ¼ tsp. ground ginger
- 2 cups brown sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: Add all the ingredients to your slow cooker and stir them together until well combined.
- Step 2: Cook on HIGH for 4 hours. Do not open the lid during cooking to maintain heat and consistency.
- Step 3: After cooking, transfer the mixture to a blender. Pulse gently until it forms a jam-like texture. Be careful not to overblend, or you will end up with cranberry butter. An immersion blender works well for this step too.
- Step 4: Allow the jam to cool. It will thicken as it cools thanks to the natural pectin in the cranberries.
- Step 5: Once cooled, store the jam in airtight containers.
Tips & Variations
- For a smoother texture, you can strain the jam after blending to remove seeds.
- Add a splash of orange juice or zest for extra citrus brightness.
- If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the brown sugar to 1½ cups.
- Use frozen berries if fresh are not available, but increase cooking time slightly.
Storage
Store the jam in airtight jars or containers in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. For longer storage, freeze in small portions. Reheat gently before serving if needed.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use other berries instead of strawberries?
Yes, you can substitute strawberries with raspberries or blueberries for a different flavor, but cooking times might vary slightly.
Why shouldn’t I overblend the jam?
Overblending breaks down too much of the berries and can turn the jam into a buttery texture, losing that classic jam consistency.
PrintChristmas Cranberry-Strawberry Spiced Jam Recipe
Celebrate the holiday season with this festive Christmas Jam featuring fresh cranberries and strawberries, infused with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. Slow cooked to perfection, this jam offers a beautifully rich and thick texture, perfect for spreading on toast or serving alongside holiday dishes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: About 4 cups of jam 1x
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Fruits
- 24 oz. fresh cranberries (about 6 cups)
- 16 oz. fresh strawberries
Spices
- 1½ tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp. ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
Sweeteners
- 2 cups brown sugar
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Add cranberries, strawberries, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and brown sugar into the slow cooker. Stir the mixture well to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Slow Cook: Set your slow cooker to HIGH and cook the mixture for 4 hours. Avoid opening the lid during cooking to ensure even heat and proper jam consistency.
- Blend to Jam: Once cooked, transfer the contents into a blender or use an immersion blender directly in the slow cooker. Pulse gently until the mixture forms a jam consistency; avoid over blending to prevent turning it into cranberry butter.
- Cool and Thicken: Allow the jam to cool; it will naturally thicken as cranberries contain pectin which helps gel the jam.
- Store: After cooling, transfer the jam into clean jars or containers and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Notes
- Do not open the slow cooker lid during cooking to maintain proper temperature and texture.
- Be careful when blending; over blending will make cranberry butter instead of jam.
- The jam thickens more as it cools due to natural pectin in cranberries.
- Store refrigerated and consume within 2 weeks for best quality.
- This jam pairs beautifully with holiday breads, cheeses, and roasted meats.
Keywords: Christmas jam, cranberry jam, strawberry jam, holiday jam, slow cooker jam, festive preserves
