Introduction

This festive Christmas Jam combines fresh cranberries and strawberries with warm spices for a perfect holiday spread. Simple to prepare in a slow cooker, it delivers rich flavors and a cozy aroma that fills your kitchen.

A thick dark red sauce with a slightly glossy texture, showing small bits and spices throughout. The sauce fills a black pot, and a white ceramic spoon is lifting a generous scoop of it, revealing a dense and somewhat chunky consistency. The sauce looks rich and smooth with a shiny surface reflecting light, highlighting its moist and thick nature. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

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 ingredients to the slow cooker and stir to combine evenly.
Step 2: Cook on HIGH for 4 hours, keeping the lid closed without opening during the cooking time.
Step 3: Carefully transfer the cooked mixture to a blender. Pulse a few times until it reaches a jam-like consistency. Take care not to overblend or it will turn into cranberry butter. An immersion blender works well for this step.
Step 4: Allow the jam to cool; it will thicken significantly as it cools due to the natural pectin in cranberries.
Step 5: Once cooled, transfer the jam to clean jars or containers for storage.

Tips & Variations

Use an immersion blender directly in the slow cooker to reduce cleanup and control texture.
Adjust spices to taste for a milder or bolder flavor.
Add a splash of orange juice or zest for a citrus twist.
Swap brown sugar for maple syrup for a different sweetness dimension.

Storage

Store Christmas jam in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. For longer storage, freeze in small portions. Thaw in the fridge and stir well before serving. Reheating gently on the stove can restore spreadable consistency if it becomes too firm.

How to Serve

The image shows a small white bowl filled with a thick, dark red berry sauce or jam with a rich textured surface, like small fruit bits are visible. A reddish-brown wooden spoon is resting inside the bowl, with its handle extending to the left. Behind the bowl, there are two glass jars filled with the same dark red jam, each tied at the top with a red and white twisted string. The bowl and jars are set on a wooden board with a natural grain texture. Around the board, there are a few cinnamon sticks, small pine cones dusted with white, and green pine needles adding a festive feel. A white cloth with red stitching lies on the right side. The background is changed to a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen berries instead of fresh?

Yes, frozen berries work well. Just add a bit less cooking time since frozen fruit releases more liquid.

Why did my jam turn into cranberry butter?

Overblending breaks down the fruit too much, causing a very smooth, buttery texture. Pulse just enough to create a chunky jam consistency.

Christmas Cranberry Strawberry Spice Jam Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 145 reviews

This Christmas Jam is a flavorful and festive preserve made from fresh cranberries and strawberries, spiced with warm cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. Slow-cooked to perfection and gently blended, it creates a thick, spreadable jam ideal for holiday breakfasts, gifts, or pairing with cheeses and desserts.

Author: Elias
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
Yield: Approximately 3 cups of jam 1x
Category: Preserves and Jams
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Fruits

24 oz. fresh cranberries (about 6 cups)
16 oz. fresh strawberries

Spices

1½ tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. ground ginger

Sweetener

2 cups brown sugar

Instructions

Combine Ingredients: Add fresh cranberries, strawberries, brown sugar, and all the ground spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger) into the slow cooker. Stir thoroughly to mix all ingredients evenly.
Slow Cook: Set the slow cooker on HIGH and cook for 4 hours. Do not open the lid during this time to ensure proper cooking and thickening.
Blend to Jam: After cooking, transfer the contents carefully into a blender or use an immersion blender directly in the slow cooker. Pulse gently until a jam-like consistency forms; avoid over-blending to prevent turning the mixture into cranberry butter.
Cool and Thicken: Allow the jam to cool; it will thicken significantly due to the natural pectin in cranberries. This cooling process is crucial for the perfect texture.
Store: Once cooled completely, transfer the jam into sterilized jars or containers and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or process for longer shelf life.

Notes

Do not open the slow cooker lid during cooking to maintain temperature and texture.
Use fresh cranberries and strawberries for the best flavor and consistency.
Be careful when blending to avoid over-processing; you want jam, not butter.
Cooling thickens the jam naturally because of pectin in cranberries.
Store homemade jam in sterilized jars and refrigerate.

Keywords: Christmas jam, cranberry jam, holiday preserves, slow cooker jam, strawberry cranberry jam, festive jam, homemade jam