Christmas Cranberry Strawberry Jam Recipe
Introduction
This festive Christmas Jam combines tart cranberries and sweet strawberries with warm spices, making it a perfect homemade treat for the holiday season. It’s easy to prepare in a slow cooker, offering rich flavors and a comforting aroma that fills your kitchen.
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 time to allow flavors to meld and berries to soften.
- Step 3: Once cooked, transfer the mixture to a blender or use an immersion blender. Pulse gently until a jam forms. Avoid over-blending to prevent turning it into cranberry butter.
- Step 4: Let the jam cool completely — it will thicken as it cools thanks to the natural pectin in cranberries.
- Step 5: Store in clean jars or containers once cooled.
Tips & Variations
- For a smoother texture, use an immersion blender directly in the slow cooker to control the consistency more easily.
- Adjust spices to your preference, adding more cinnamon or nutmeg for a stronger holiday flavor.
- Add a splash of orange juice or zest for a bright, citrusy twist.
- Use less brown sugar for a tarter jam, or substitute with maple syrup for a different sweetness.
Storage
Store the cooled jam in airtight containers or jars in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, freeze the jam in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Reheat gently before serving if desired.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen berries instead of fresh?
Yes, frozen cranberries and strawberries can be used. Thaw them before cooking and reduce the cooking time slightly as frozen berries release juice faster.
Do I need to sterilize jars before storing the jam?
Since this jam is refrigerated and consumed within a few weeks, sterilizing jars is not necessary but always ensure containers are clean to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage.
PrintChristmas Cranberry Strawberry Jam Recipe
This festive Christmas Jam combines fresh cranberries and strawberries with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. Slowly cooked in a slow cooker, this jam offers a perfect balance of tart and sweet flavors with a cozy holiday spice blend, making it an ideal spread for toast, holiday desserts, or gift jars.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 3 cups of jam 1x
- Category: Jam, Condiment, Spread
- 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
- Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker: Combine the fresh cranberries, strawberries, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and brown sugar into the slow cooker. Stir everything together well to evenly distribute the spices and sugar.
- Cook on High: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on HIGH for 4 hours. Make sure not to open the lid during this time to allow the jam to cook evenly and thicken properly.
- Blend the Jam: After 4 hours, transfer the cooked fruit mixture from the slow cooker into a blender or use an immersion blender directly in the slow cooker. Pulse just enough to form a jam-like consistency, being careful not to over-blend to avoid turning it into cranberry butter.
- Cool and Store: Let the jam cool completely before transferring it into storage containers. The jam will thicken significantly as it cools due to the natural pectin in cranberries. Store in the refrigerator and enjoy as a festive holiday spread.
Notes
- Do not open the slow cooker lid during the 4-hour cooking time to allow proper thickening.
- Pulse gently when blending to prevent over-processing and turning jam into cranberry butter.
- This jam thickens as it cools, so its initial runny texture after cooking is normal.
- Store the jam in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- You can use an immersion blender directly in the slow cooker to reduce cleanup.
Keywords: Christmas Jam, Cranberry Jam, Holiday Jam, Slow Cooker Jam, Festive Spread, Cranberries, Strawberries, Holiday Recipes
