Christmas Cranberry-Strawberry Spice Jam Recipe
Introduction
This Christmas Jam is a festive and flavorful spread made from fresh cranberries and strawberries, infused with warm spices like cinnamon and cloves. It’s easy to make in a slow cooker and perfect for toast, holiday breakfasts, or as a gift.
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 to combine evenly.
- Step 2: Cook on HIGH for 4 hours, making sure not to open the lid during cooking.
- Step 3: After cooking, transfer the mixture to a blender. Pulse gently until it forms a jam consistency—be careful not to overblend, or it will turn into cranberry butter. An immersion blender works well for this step too.
- Step 4: The jam will thicken as it cools, thanks to the natural pectin in cranberries. Allow it to cool completely before storing.
Tips & Variations
- For a smoother jam, carefully pulse in the blender rather than pureeing fully to maintain some texture.
- Try adding a splash of orange juice or zest for a bright, citrusy twist.
- Adjust the spices to your preference, increasing cinnamon or reducing cloves for a milder flavor.
Storage
Store the cooled jam in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. For longer storage, freeze the jam in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before using. Warm gently to soften when reheating, if desired.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen fruit instead of fresh?
Yes, frozen cranberries and strawberries can be used, but you may need to reduce the cooking time slightly and check the consistency as frozen fruit releases more water.
What can I use this jam for besides toast?
This jam is delicious as a topping for yogurt, oatmeal, pancakes, or served alongside holiday meats like turkey or ham for a seasonal touch.
PrintChristmas Cranberry-Strawberry Spice Jam Recipe
This festive Christmas Jam combines fresh cranberries and strawberries with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger, slow-cooked to develop rich flavors. The blend is then lightly pulsed to create a chunky, flavorful jam perfect for holiday breakfasts or gift-giving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 4 cups of jam 1x
- Category: Preserves
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Fruits
- 24 oz. fresh cranberries (about 6 cups)
- 16 oz. fresh strawberries
Spices
- 1½ tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp. ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp. ground cloves
- ¼ tsp. ground ginger
Sweetener
- 2 cups brown sugar
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Add fresh cranberries, strawberries, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and brown sugar into the slow cooker. Stir well to evenly distribute the ingredients.
- Cook the Jam: Cover the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 4 hours. Do not lift the lid or open during this time to maintain the cooking temperature and ensure proper jam formation.
- Blend the Mixture: Once cooked, transfer the jam mixture to a blender or use an immersion blender to pulse until a jam forms. Be careful to pulse gently and avoid over-blending to prevent turning the jam into cranberry butter.
- Thicken While Cooling: Allow the jam to cool; it will thicken significantly due to the natural pectin in cranberries.
- Store the Jam: Once cooled, transfer the jam to clean jars or containers for storage and refrigerate.
Notes
- Do not open the slow cooker lid during cooking to ensure proper jam consistency.
- Be cautious when blending; over-blending will change the texture to cranberry butter.
- Cranberries contain natural pectin, so the jam will thicken as it cools.
- This jam can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks or frozen for longer storage.
- Use fresh, ripe fruits for the best flavor and texture.
Keywords: Christmas jam, cranberry jam, strawberry jam, slow cooker jam, holiday preserves
