Christmas Cranberry Strawberry Jam Recipe
Introduction
This Christmas Jam is a festive twist on traditional fruit preserves, combining tart cranberries and sweet strawberries with warm holiday spices. Slow-cooked to perfection, it’s perfect for spreading on toast or serving alongside holiday meals.
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 a slow cooker and stir well to combine.
- Step 2: Cook on HIGH for 4 hours without opening the lid during the cooking process.
- Step 3: Once cooked, transfer the contents to a blender and pulse until a jam forms. Avoid over blending to prevent turning the mixture into cranberry butter. Alternatively, use an immersion blender for convenience.
- Step 4: Let the jam cool completely. It will thicken as it cools thanks to the natural pectin in cranberries.
- Step 5: Store the cooled jam in an airtight container.
Tips & Variations
- Use frozen strawberries if fresh are not available; just add them frozen to the slow cooker.
- Adjust the spices to your taste—more cinnamon or nutmeg can add extra warmth.
- For a smoother texture, strain seeds out after blending if desired.
Storage
Store the jam in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, freeze the jam in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Reheat gently before serving if preferred warm.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make this jam without a slow cooker?
Yes, you can cook the ingredients in a heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently until the fruit softens and the mixture thickens, which may take longer than 4 hours.
Why shouldn’t I over blend the jam?
Over blending breaks down the fruit too much and results in a creamy cranberry butter texture instead of the chunky spreadable jam you want.
PrintChristmas Cranberry Strawberry Jam Recipe
This Christmas Jam is a festive, flavorful spread made with fresh cranberries and strawberries, infused with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. Slow-cooked to perfection and blended to a smooth yet textured consistency, this homemade jam is perfect for holiday breakfasts or as a sweet gift.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 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 & Sweeteners
- 1½ tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp. ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp. ground cloves
- ¼ tsp. ground ginger
- 2 cups brown sugar
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Add fresh cranberries, strawberries, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and brown sugar into the slow cooker. Stir all ingredients together until well combined.
- Cook the Mixture: Set the slow cooker to HIGH and cook for 4 hours. Do not open the lid during the cooking time to maintain heat and proper texture.
- Blend the Jam: After cooking, transfer the hot fruit mixture to a blender and pulse gently until a jam forms. Avoid over-blending to prevent creating cranberry butter. Alternatively, use an immersion blender directly in the slow cooker to achieve the same result.
- Cool the Jam: Let the blended jam cool completely. It will thicken considerably as it cools due to the natural pectin in cranberries.
- Store: Once cooled, transfer the jam to clean jars or containers and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Notes
- Do not open the slow cooker lid during cooking to ensure even heat distribution and proper thickening.
- Pulse in the blender carefully; over-blending will change the texture undesirably.
- The jam thickens as it cools because of the natural pectin in cranberries.
- Use an immersion blender as a convenient alternative to a traditional blender for less cleanup.
- This jam makes a wonderful holiday gift or a festive addition to your breakfast spread.
Keywords: Christmas Jam, Cranberry Jam, Holiday Jam, Slow Cooker Jam, Festive Jam, Homemade Jam, Strawberry Cranberry Jam
