Christmas Cranberry Strawberry Spiced Jam Recipe
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.
- 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
