Magical Homemade Christmas Jam Recipe You'll Crave

There's something magical about opening a jar of homemade jam during the holidays – the burst of fruity aroma, the jewel-toned glow, that first sweet-tart spoonful that tastes like Christmas morning. My Homemade Christmas Jam recipe holds decades of memories in every batch, from childhood mornings helping my grandmother stir the bubbling pot to now watching my own kids's eyes light up when we pull the jars from the canner.

This cranberry-strawberry jam has been our family's signature holiday gift since I can remember – tucked into care packages for neighbors, tied with ribbon on teacher gifts, and always, always smeared thick on Christmas morning toast. The blend of tart cranberries, sweet strawberries, and warm spices smells like nostalgia in a jar. Once you taste it, you'll understand why we make gallons every December and why friends start hinting for their annual jar as soon as the leaves change.

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Christmas Jam

This jam isn't just delicious—it's practically holiday magic in a jar! Here's why it's become my favorite December tradition:

• The festive spiced-fruit flavor tastes like Christmas morning on toast
• Simple stovetop method means even jam newbies can nail it
• Jars make heartfelt gifts that friends actually want (mine request it yearly!)
• Easy to tweak spices—add extra cinnamon or ginger to make it your own

The hardest part? Not eating it straight from the spoon while it's still warm!

Ingredients for Homemade Christmas Jam

Gather these simple ingredients – the magic happens when they all come together in the pot:

• 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries (thawed, if frozen)
• 1 peeled orange (trust me, the pith makes it bitter!)
• 2 teaspoon fresh orange zest (my secret flavor booster)
• 16 oz fresh or frozen strawberries (thawed, if frozen)
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves (just enough for warmth)
• ¼ teaspoon allspice
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 4 cups cane sugar (don't skimp – it helps set the jam)
• 1 – 1.75 oz powdered fruit pectin (I prefer Sure-Jell)
• ½ cup water

See? Nothing fancy – just good fruit and spices ready to transform into holiday magic.

Equipment You’ll Need

No fancy gadgets required—just grab these basics from your kitchen:

• A large, heavy-bottomed pot (trust me, you don't want jam boiling over!)
• Wooden spoon for stirring (metal can get too hot)
• Sterilized jars with lids (I save pretty jars all year for this)
• Ladle for pouring (helps avoid sticky messes)
• Candy thermometer (optional, but great for jam newbies)

That's it! Now let's make some holiday magic.

How to Make Homemade Christmas Jam

Alright, let's get to the good stuff—turning those simple ingredients into glowing jars of holiday cheer! I've made this recipe so many times I could do it in my sleep, but I'll walk you through each step so your first batch turns out perfect.

Step 1: Prepare the Fruits

First things first—give those cranberries and strawberries a good rinse (even if they're frozen). Grab your orange and zest it before peeling—those little orange flecks make all the difference in flavor! I know it's tempting to skip zesting, but don't—it adds that bright, citrusy note that balances the sweet-tart berries.

Chop the peeled orange into chunks—no need to be perfect here. The berries will break down while cooking, so just halve the strawberries if they're large. Pro tip: keep everything ready in bowls so you can dump and stir without scrambling.

Step 2: Cook the Jam Mixture

Now the fun begins! Dump all the prepped fruit into your biggest pot with the water and spices. Medium heat is your friend here—let it bubble gently until the cranberries start popping open (about 10 minutes). Stir occasionally with your wooden spoon, scraping the bottom so nothing sticks.

Once it's all nice and juicy, whisk in the pectin first—this helps it dissolve evenly. Then add the sugar all at once and stir like crazy until it's fully dissolved. Crank the heat up to get a good rolling boil for 1 full minute (set a timer!), then reduce to a lively simmer. This is when the magic happens—you'll see it thicken before your eyes! Stir frequently for about 15-20 minutes until it coats the back of a spoon.

Step 3: Jar and Store

Turn off the heat and let the jam sit for 5 minutes—this helps prevent floating fruit. While you wait, grab those sterilized jars (I run mine through the dishwasher or boil them for 10 minutes). Carefully ladle in the jam, leaving ¼" space at the top. Wipe the rims clean (sticky rims = bad seals), screw on the lids, and let them cool completely on the counter.

You'll hear the satisfying "pop" of lids sealing as they cool! Store in the fridge for up to a month, or process in a water bath canner for shelf-stable gifts that last all season. The hardest part? Waiting 24 hours before cracking open that first jar—but trust me, it's worth it!

Tips for Perfect Homemade Christmas Jam

After countless batches (and a few sticky kitchen disasters), here are my foolproof tricks for jam success:

• Fresh is best: While frozen fruit works, fresh berries give the brightest flavor - I hit the farmers' market in early December just for this!
• Stir with love: Constant stirring prevents scorching - I prop my cookbook against the canisters and sing carols while I stir.
• Test thickness: Chill a spoonful in the freezer for 2 minutes - if it wrinkles when pushed, it's ready!
• Taste and tweak: Add extra cinnamon for warmth or a splash of vanilla at the end for coziness.

Remember - jam thickens as it cools, so don't panic if it seems runny!

Variations for Your Christmas Jam

While I adore the classic cranberry-strawberry combo, some of my favorite batches came from playful tweaks! Try swapping half the cranberries for diced apples (peel on for pretty flecks) or adding a teaspoon of fresh grated ginger with the spices. One year I threw in a handful of dried cherries—absolute holiday magic! The beauty of this recipe? As long as you keep the total fruit amount about the same, you can't mess it up.

Serving and Gifting Suggestions

Oh, the possibilities with this jam! My favorite ways to enjoy it:

• Slathered on warm buttermilk scones (Christmas morning tradition!)
• Swirled into yogurt or spooned over vanilla ice cream
• Paired with sharp cheddar on a holiday cheese board

For gifts, I tie twine around the lids and attach handwritten tags—simple touches that make each jar feel extra special. Pro tip: include the reheating instructions so recipients can enjoy it warm!

Storage and Reheating

Once your Christmas jam cools, keep unopened jars in the pantry for up to a year (if properly canned) or in the fridge for a month. Opened jars stay fresh refrigerated for 3 weeks. To reheat, microwave in 15-second bursts or warm gently in a saucepan—just enough to bring back that spreadable, just-made texture without cooking it further. That first warm spoonful over toast? Pure holiday bliss!

Homemade Christmas Jam FAQs

Over the years, I've gotten the same excited questions from friends trying this recipe—here are the answers that'll help you nail your first batch!

Can I use frozen fruit?

Absolutely! Frozen berries work great—just thaw them first so they cook evenly. I actually keep bags of cranberries in my freezer year-round for impromptu jam sessions. The texture might be slightly softer than fresh, but the flavor still shines.

How long does it last?

Properly sealed jars keep for 1 year in a cool pantry (if water-bath canned) or 1 month refrigerated. Once opened, enjoy within 3 weeks. My family never manages to keep it that long—we're usually scraping the last bits from the jar by New Year's!

Can I reduce the sugar?

You can, but carefully—sugar helps with setting and preservation. I've had success reducing to 3 cups without issues, especially when using high-pectin fruits. For lower sugar, try Pomona's pectin which sets with less sweetener. Taste as you go—the tartness really pops with less sugar!

Nutritional Information

Here's the scoop on what's in each spoonful of holiday cheer (remember, these are estimates—your actual nutrition may vary slightly depending on ingredients):

• Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
• Calories: 50
• Sugar: 12g
• Carbs: 13g

Not bad for something that tastes like Christmas magic, right? Enjoy in moderation... or don't—it's the holidays after all!

Share Your Experience

Did you make this Christmas jam? I'd love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment below or tag me on social media so I can see your beautiful jars of holiday cheer. Happy jam-making!

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