Description
A festive and flavorful Christmas Jam made with fresh cranberries, strawberries, and warm holiday spices like allspice, cinnamon, and ginger. This sweet-tart jam is slow-cooked in a crockpot for a perfect spread on holiday breakfasts, charcuterie boards, or for gift-giving during the season.
Ingredients
Fruit
- 1 1/2 pounds cranberries, fresh or frozen
- 1 1/2 pounds strawberries, fresh or frozen
Sugars
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/4 cups light brown sugar
Spices & Flavorings
- 2 teaspoons ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- Optional: zest of one orange or 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cranberries, strawberries, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and all the spices into the crockpot. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Cook Mixture: Cover the crockpot and cook on high heat for 4 hours, stirring once halfway through the cooking time to ensure even heat distribution and prevent sticking.
- Blend Jam: Once cooked, use an immersion blender directly in the crockpot or transfer the hot mixture in batches to a countertop blender. Pulse just 2 to 3 times to achieve a jam-like texture while keeping some fruit chunks.
- Jar Jam: Carefully ladle the hot jam into clean, sterilized jars. Wipe the rims to remove any residue and secure lids lightly but not tightly to allow some air circulation as it cools.
- Cool and Refrigerate: Let the jars cool to room temperature. Once cooled, refrigerate the jam overnight to set fully before serving or gifting.
Notes
- This jam is refrigerator-only and not shelf-stable; it must be kept refrigerated or frozen.
- For gifting, always include a note informing recipients to store the jam in the refrigerator or freezer.
- Optional citrus additions such as orange zest or lemon juice can enhance the brightness and flavor complexity of the jam.
- Use fresh or frozen berries depending on availability; frozen works well without compromising flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
