Description

This Spiced Christmas Jam is a delightful holiday preserve combining cranberries, strawberries, apple, and warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Perfect for spreading on toast, biscuits, or using as a glaze for meats, it’s a festive and flavorful treat that captures the spirit of the season. The jam is cooked on the stovetop and can be canned or refrigerated for freshness.

Ingredients

Scale

Fruit

3 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
2 cups chopped strawberries (fresh or frozen)
1 medium apple, peeled and finely chopped
1 orange, zested and juiced
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Spices & Additives

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 (1.75 oz) package fruit pectin (powdered)

Sweetener

5 cups granulated sugar

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Instructions

Combine Ingredients: In a large pot, combine cranberries, strawberries, chopped apple, orange zest and juice, lemon juice, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Stir to mix all ingredients thoroughly.
Simmer Fruit Mixture: Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the fruit begins to break down and soften, creating a rich, flavorful base.
Break Up Fruit: Use a potato masher or immersion blender to slightly mash the mixture, leaving some texture to maintain the jam’s rustic appeal.
Add Pectin and Boil: Stir in the powdered fruit pectin and increase the heat to bring the mixture to a rolling boil over high heat to activate the pectin’s gelling properties.
Add Sugar and Boil Hard: Once boiling, add the granulated sugar all at once. Return the mixture to a full rolling boil and boil hard for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning and ensure even cooking.
Remove Foam and Jar: Remove the pot from heat and skim off any foam from the surface. Ladle the hot jam into sterilized jars, leaving about ¼-inch headspace.
Seal and Process or Store: Wipe the rims clean, seal jars with lids, and if canning, process them in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. Alternatively, allow the jam to cool and store it in the refrigerator for immediate use.

Notes

This jam makes a wonderful holiday gift, perfect for friends and family.
Ideal for spreading on toast, biscuits, or using as a glaze for ham or roasted meats.
If using frozen fruit, there is no need to thaw before cooking, saving prep time.