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Sweet Christmas Cranberry Jam Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 140 reviews
  • Author: Naomi
  • Total Time: 35-45 minutes
  • Yield: Approximately 6-7 half-pint jars 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Sweet Christmas Cranberry Jam is a delightful homemade preserve combining tart cranberries and sweet strawberries with warming holiday spices. Perfect for spreading on toast or gifting during the festive season, it offers a perfect balance of flavors and a smooth, jammy consistency guaranteed by liquid pectin. With just a few simple ingredients and about 45 minutes of prep and cooking, it’s a quick and festive treat that outshines the typical canned cranberry sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

Fruits

  • 2 cups cranberries (fresh or frozen, thawed if frozen)
  • 6 cups strawberries (fresh or frozen, thawed if frozen)

Spices

  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp ground allspice
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves

Other Ingredients

  • 2 sachets liquid pectin (Sure-Jell brand recommended)
  • 5 cups granulated sugar

Instructions

  1. Puree the Berries: Begin by pureeing the strawberries and cranberries in your food processor. Whether fresh or frozen, puree them in batches if necessary. Transfer the pureed fruit to a large saucepan.
  2. Add Sugar and Spices: Add 5 cups of granulated sugar along with cinnamon, ground ginger, allspice, and cloves to the saucepan. Mix thoroughly to combine all the ingredients well.
  3. Boil the Jam: Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a full rolling boil, where bubbles continuously form even when stirring. Boil the mixture for one full minute.
  4. Add Pectin and Boil Again: Remove the pan from heat and stir in the liquid pectin. Return to the heat and bring again to a full rolling boil. Boil for another full minute while stirring constantly, then remove from heat.
  5. Skim Foam and Fill Jars: After the bubbling subsides, skim off any foam that formed on the surface using a spoon or ladle. Ladle the hot jam into sterilized jars, leaving about 1/4 inch headspace. Seal the jars with warm lids and screw bands until finger-tight.
  6. Process and Store the Jam: Submerge the jars in a boiling water bath, ensuring water covers jars by two inches. Boil for 10 minutes. Carefully remove and place on a heat-proof surface to cool undisturbed for 12 hours. Label and store in a cool, dark place.

Notes

  • Use fresh or frozen cranberries; do not thaw frozen cranberries before adding to maintain texture.
  • If liquid pectin is unavailable, substitute with 2 tablespoons powdered pectin added before sugar.
  • You can substitute frozen berries for fresh without thawing; increase cooking time slightly if needed.
  • For a deeper flavor, replace some sugar with up to 1 cup brown sugar.
  • Pumpkin pie spice mix (2 1/2 teaspoons) can substitute for the separate spices.
  • Jam can be stored in sealed jars for up to 18 months unopened; refrigerate after opening and consume within 3-4 weeks.
  • Skim foam off the jam to avoid cloudy texture but it is safe to consume if left.
  • Lightly crush berries before cooking to help release natural pectin without pulverizing.
  • Add spices at the start of cooking to fully integrate their flavors.
  • Prep Time: 10-15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
  • Category: Preserves & Jams
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: cranberry jam, Christmas jam, holiday preserves, homemade cranberry sauce, sweet cranberry jam, strawberry cranberry jam, festive jam recipe

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Find it online: https://naomifletcher.com/sweet-christmas-cranberry-jam-recipe/