Festive Christmas Cranberry Strawberry Apple Jam with Ginger Recipe
This Festive Christmas Jam Recipe with a Hint of Ginger combines fresh cranberries, strawberries, and apple, infused with warm spices and fresh ginger for a perfect holiday preserve. The jam is thickened with liquid fruit pectin and sweetened generously with sugar, offering a delicious balance of tart and sweet flavors that’s perfect for gifting or enjoying throughout the season.
- Author: Hannah
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 5 (8 oz) jars 1x
- Category: Spread
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Fruit Base
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1 large apple, peeled, cored, and diced
- Zest and juice of 1 large orange
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1/2 cup water
Sweeteners and Spices
- 4 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
Thickening Agent
- 1 pouch (3 oz) liquid fruit pectin
- Prepare the Fruit Base: In a large saucepan, combine fresh cranberries, hulled and sliced strawberries, and diced apple. Add the zest and juice of one large orange along with grated fresh ginger. Pour in 1/2 cup of water to prevent the fruit from sticking to the pan.
- Cook Until Fruits Soften: Stir the mixture over medium-high heat until it reaches a boil. Then reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries have burst and the fruits become tender.
- Blend the Mixture: Remove the saucepan from heat and use an immersion blender or potato masher to blend the jam until it reaches your preferred consistency, whether smooth or slightly chunky.
- Add Sugar and Spices: Return the saucepan to medium heat. Stir in the granulated sugar until completely dissolved. Add ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, then bring the mixture back to a rolling boil.
- Incorporate the Pectin: Quickly stir in the liquid fruit pectin and return the jam to a full, rolling boil. Boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly to avoid sticking.
- Test for Doneness: Conduct a gel test by placing a small spoonful of the jam on a chilled plate. Let it cool for a minute, then push it with your finger. If the surface wrinkles slightly, the jam is ready. If not, continue boiling for another minute and retest.
- Prepare for Canning: Skim off any foam from the jam’s surface. Ladle the hot jam carefully into sterilized jars, leaving about 1/4 inch headspace. Wipe the jar rims clean with a damp cloth to ensure a good seal. Place lids on jars and screw on bands until fingertip-tight.
- Process the Jars: Place the filled jars in a boiling water bath canner, ensuring jars are covered by at least one inch of water. Process for 10 minutes, adjusting time if at higher altitudes.
- Cool and Store: Remove jars carefully using a jar lifter and set on a towel-lined surface. Allow to cool undisturbed for 12-24 hours. Check seals by pressing down the center of each lid; if it does not pop back, the seal is good. Label jars with the date and store in a cool, dark place for up to one year.
Notes
- Use fresh, ripe fruits for the best flavor and texture.
- Adjust sugar quantity if a less sweet jam is desired, but this may affect preservation.
- The gel test is crucial to ensure the jam sets properly before canning.
- Ensure jars and lids are sterilized properly to avoid contamination and spoilage.
- Altitude adjustments for the water bath processing time may be necessary for safe canning.
- Once opened, keep jam refrigerated and consume within 3 weeks for best quality.
Keywords: Christmas jam, cranberry strawberry jam, festive jam recipe, homemade jam, cranberry preserves, holiday jam, ginger jam, fruit pectin jam