Introduction

This festive Christmas Jam combines tart cranberries and sweet strawberries with warm spices for a perfect holiday spread. Made easily in a slow cooker, it’s a delightful way to bring seasonal flavors to your breakfast or desserts.

A close-up of a thick, rich dark red sauce with a glossy, slightly chunky texture in a white spoon resting in the same sauce, showing some small bits and a deep, almost brownish-red color throughout. The sauce has a shiny surface with areas catching light and looks dense with a bit of oil on top, all in a smooth container with a black edge visible at the bottom. The background is a white marbled texture. 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 the ingredients to the slow cooker and stir to combine.
Step 2: Cook on HIGH for 4 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
Step 3: Transfer the cooked mixture to a blender and pulse until it forms a jam. Be careful not to over blend, or you’ll end up with cranberry butter. An immersion blender works well for this step too.
Step 4: Remember the jam will thicken significantly as it cools due to the natural pectin in cranberries.
Step 5: Let the jam cool completely before storing.

Tips & Variations

Use fresh or frozen berries depending on availability; just adjust cooking time slightly if frozen.
For a smoother texture, strain the jam before cooling to remove seeds and pulp.
Add a splash of orange juice or zest for a bright citrus twist.

Storage

Store the cooled jam in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. For longer storage, freeze in portions and thaw as needed. Reheat gently before serving if preferred warm.

How to Serve

A black slow cooker bowl filled with one thick layer of dark brown chocolate mixture with a slightly glossy and textured surface is shown from above. A white spoon rests inside the slow cooker, partially coated with the same chocolate mixture. Nearby, on a white marbled surface, there is a jar with some chocolate mixture on its rim, a white cloth with red stitching, a red and white striped string, and a decorative branch with red and orange berries. 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. You might need to cook for an extra 15–20 minutes to ensure the jam thickens properly.

How do I prevent the jam from turning into cranberry butter?

Pulse the mixture gently when blending and avoid over blending. Stop as soon as the jam reaches the desired consistency.

Christmas Cranberry Strawberry Spiced Jam Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 147 reviews

This vibrant Christmas Jam is a delightful blend of fresh cranberries and strawberries, infused with warm holiday spices. Slow-cooked to develop rich flavors, then gently pureed to achieve the perfect jam consistency without becoming overly smooth. It’s naturally pectin-rich and perfect for spreading on toast or serving alongside your festive dishes.

Author: Elias
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
Yield: About 4 cups of jam 1x
Category: Condiment
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 the fresh cranberries, strawberries, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and brown sugar into your slow cooker. Stir everything together to evenly distribute the spices and sugar among the fruit.
Cook the Jam: Set the slow cooker to HIGH and cook for 4 hours. Important: do not open the lid during cooking to maintain heat and moisture, ensuring the fruit softens and flavors meld properly.
Blend to Jam Consistency: Once cooking is complete, carefully transfer the hot mixture to a blender or use an immersion blender directly in the slow cooker. Pulse gently until a jam forms; avoid over-blending to prevent turning the jam into cranberry butter. Aim for a slightly chunky, spreadable texture.
Cool and Thicken: Allow the jam to cool at room temperature. The natural pectin in the cranberries will help the jam thicken further as it cools—don’t be alarmed if it seems loose while hot.
Store: Once cooled, store the jam in airtight containers or jars in the refrigerator. It will continue to firm up and develop flavor over time.

Notes

Do not open the slow cooker lid while cooking to ensure proper consistency.
Use fresh cranberries and strawberries for the best flavor and natural pectin content.
Be careful not to over-blend the cooked fruit mixture to avoid turning it into cranberry butter.
This jam thickens more as it cools due to the natural pectin in cranberries.
Store jam in the refrigerator, and consume within 2-3 weeks for optimal freshness.

Keywords: Christmas jam, cranberry jam, slow cooker jam, holiday preserve, strawberry cranberry jam