Introduction

Sweet Christmas Cranberry Jam is a festive and flavorful treat that brightens up your holiday breakfast or makes a thoughtful homemade gift. Made with fresh or frozen cranberries, strawberries, warm spices, and liquid pectin, it’s easy to prepare and brings a cozy Christmas feeling to your table.

The image shows a small, clear glass jar filled with chunky red cranberry sauce that has a shiny, thick texture. A wooden spoon is dipping into the jar, held by a woman’s hand from the right side. Around the jar, there are red cranberries, cinnamon sticks, and green pine branches with small yellow glowing lights, all placed on a white marbled surface dusted lightly with powdered sugar. The background includes blurry holiday decorations with red ribbons and warm lights creating a festive feeling. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 cups cranberries (fresh or frozen, thawed if frozen)
6 cups strawberries (fresh or frozen, thawed if frozen)
5 cups granulated sugar
2 sachets liquid pectin (e.g., Sure-Jell brand)
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp allspice

Instructions

Step 1: Puree the strawberries and cranberries in a food processor. Work in batches if necessary and transfer the pureed mixture to a large saucepan.
Step 2: Add the sugar, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and allspice to the saucepan with the pureed berries. Stir well to combine.
Step 3: Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a full, rolling boil. Boil for one full minute while stirring constantly.
Step 4: Remove the saucepan from heat, stir in the liquid pectin, then return to heat. Bring back to a full boil and boil for another full minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat again.
Step 5: Allow the jam to settle and skim off any foam from the surface with a spoon. Ladle the hot jam into sterilized jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Seal the jars with clean lids and screw bands finger-tight.
Step 6: Process the jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. Remove and place on a heat-proof surface to cool undisturbed for 12 hours. Label and store in a cool, dark place.

Tips & Variations

If you can’t find liquid pectin, use 2 tablespoons of powdered pectin added before the sugar for proper setting.
Fresh or frozen berries both work well; do not thaw frozen berries before cooking to prevent mushiness.
For deeper flavor, substitute up to 1 cup of white sugar with brown sugar.
Use 2 1/2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice mix instead of the individual spices if you prefer.
If cranberries aren’t available, raspberries can be used; add 1 tablespoon lemon juice to keep the tart balance.

Storage

Store properly sealed jars in a cool, dark place for up to 18 months. After opening, refrigerate and consume within 3-4 weeks. The flavors deepen after a few days in the fridge, making the jam even better on toast or scones. This jam also makes a perfect holiday gift—just remind recipients to refrigerate after opening and enjoy within a month.

How to Serve

The image shows three small glass jars filled with bright red jam, each with a silver spoon inside. The jars sit on a dark wooden board sprinkled lightly with sugar or flour. Surrounding the jars are cinnamon sticks, small green pine branches, candy canes, and yellow-orange citrus peel curls, giving a festive look. The background surface is a white marbled texture. The setting is cozy and colorful with a mix of natural elements and holiday decoration. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Why does my jam look foamy while cooking?

The foam forms naturally when air is trapped during boiling. It’s safe to eat but can be skimmed off for a clearer, smoother appearance. Leaving the foam won’t harm the jam but may change its texture slightly.

Do I need to crush the berries before cooking?

Yes, lightly crushing the berries before cooking helps release natural pectin and improves the jam’s consistency. Use a potato masher to gently break them down without pulverizing completely for a nice texture.