Christmas Cranberry Strawberry Spiced Jam Recipe
Introduction
This Christmas Jam recipe combines fresh cranberries and strawberries with warm spices to create a festive and flavorful spread. Cooked slowly in a crockpot, it’s simple to make and perfect for holiday breakfasts or gifts.
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 the slow cooker and stir to combine evenly.
- Step 2: Cook on HIGH for 4 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
- Step 3: Transfer the cooked mixture into a blender and pulse until jam forms. Avoid over blending to prevent turning it into cranberry butter. An immersion blender can also be used.
- Step 4: Allow the jam to thicken as it cools; the natural pectin in cranberries will help it set.
- Step 5: Let the jam cool completely before storing.
Tips & Variations
- Use frozen strawberries if fresh ones aren’t available; just thaw before cooking.
- Adjust the brown sugar to your taste for a sweeter or tarter jam.
- Add a splash of orange juice or zest for a citrus twist.
Storage
Store the cooled jam in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, freeze the jam in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and stir before use. Reheating is not necessary but can be done gently on the stove if desired.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use dried spices instead of ground spices?
Ground spices work best to evenly distribute flavor in the jam. Using whole dried spices may not infuse well unless they are ground first.
Why shouldn’t I over blend the cooked mixture?
Over blending breaks down the cranberries too much, turning the jam into a smooth cranberry butter instead of a spread with texture.
PrintChristmas Cranberry Strawberry Spiced Jam Recipe
Celebrate the holiday season with this festive Christmas Jam, a delightful blend of fresh cranberries and strawberries enhanced with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. Slow-cooked to perfection, this jam offers a rich, flavorful spread that’s perfect for toast, desserts, or as a holiday gift.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 3 cups of jam 1x
- Category: Condiment
- 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 the fresh cranberries, strawberries, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ground ginger, and brown sugar to the slow cooker and stir thoroughly to mix all ingredients evenly.
- Slow Cook: Cook the mixture on HIGH for 4 hours. Avoid opening the lid during cooking to retain heat and ensure the jam sets properly.
- Blend to Jam: Once cooking is complete, transfer the contents from the slow cooker into a blender or use an immersion blender directly. Pulse the mixture until it forms a jam-like consistency without over-blending to prevent turning it into cranberry butter.
- Cool and Set: Allow the jam to cool at room temperature. It will thicken as it cools due to the natural pectin content in cranberries.
- Store: Once cooled, transfer the jam into sterilized jars or containers for storage and refrigerate.
Notes
- Do not open the slow cooker lid during the 4-hour cooking process to ensure even cooking and proper setting of the jam.
- Avoid over-blending to maintain the ideal texture; pulse just enough to combine ingredients into a jam.
- The jam will naturally thicken as it cools because of the pectin in cranberries, so don’t be alarmed if it seems runny when hot.
- This jam can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks or frozen for longer preservation.
- Use sterilized jars to store the jam safely and increase shelf life.
Keywords: Christmas jam, cranberry jam, holiday jam, slow cooker jam, festive recipe, strawberry cranberry jam, homemade jam
