Jolly Holiday Magic: Festive Christmas Jam Recipe

Sweet, tangy, and bursting with holiday cheer, this Christmas jam brings festive flavors to your seasonal table.

Memories of winter celebrations dance through a classic jam recipe that captures the essence of Christmas spirit.

Vibrant red fruits mingle with warm spices, creating a spread that delights the senses.

The homemade Christmas jam becomes an instant favorite among loved ones gathering for holiday meals.

Berries and seasonal ingredients blend seamlessly into a delectable preserve that brightens any breakfast or dessert.

Each spoonful tells a story of tradition and warmth.

Spread this magical jam and watch faces light up with pure culinary joy.

FAQs

• Why use multiple fruits in this jam?

Different fruits add complexity to the flavor profile. Cranberries provide tartness, strawberries bring sweetness, and apple helps create a smoother texture and natural thickening.

• How do spices impact the jam's taste?

Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves transform this from a basic fruit spread into a festive Christmas-themed jam. These warming spices create a rich, aromatic flavor that captures holiday spirit.

• Can I adjust the sugar amount?

Yes, but reducing sugar might affect jam’s consistency and preservation. If you want less sweetness, consider using low-sugar pectin or reducing by no more than 25% to maintain proper setting.

• What makes this jam different from regular fruit preserves?

The combination of holiday spices and multiple fruits creates a unique, complex jam that’s more sophisticated than traditional single-fruit spreads. It delivers a festive flavor profile perfect for winter celebrations.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 132 kcal

Servings: 12

Spiced Christmas Jam Ingredient Rundown

• Cranberries: Tangy winter berries that provide vibrant color and tart flavor to the jam.
• Strawberries: Sweet summer fruit that adds natural sweetness and smooth texture.
• Raspberries: Alternative berry option with intense flavor and deep red hue.
• Apple: Adds natural pectin for thickening and provides subtle sweetness and depth.
• Orange: Brings bright citrus notes and helps enhance overall fruit flavors.

• Sugar: Essential for preserving and creating jam's classic glossy consistency.
• Cinnamon: Warm, classic holiday spice that adds cozy depth to the jam.
• Nutmeg: Aromatic spice with rich, slightly sweet undertones perfect for winter recipes.
• Cloves: Intense, slightly pungent spice that provides complex warming sensation.

• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out flavors, adding smooth, mellow undertone to the jam.

Tools That Help You Cook and Jar Christmas Jam

• Large Saucepan: Essential for cooking and simmering the fruit mixture.
• Potato Masher or Wooden Spoon: Perfect for mashing fruits to desired texture.
• Chilled Plate: Helps test jam's doneness by checking consistency.
• Ladle: Ideal for transferring hot jam into sterilized jars.
• Sterilized Glass Jars with Lids: Necessary for storing and preserving the jam.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring jam during cooking process.

Make Spiced Christmas Jam with Warm Flavors

• Launch Fruity Symphony

Tumble vibrant cranberries, juicy strawberries, and zesty grated apple into a spacious saucepan. Splash in orange juice and gently coax the mixture to a warm simmer over medium heat.

• Crush and Soften

Dance a wooden spoon through the bubbling fruits, encouraging cranberries to burst and textures to meld. Tenderly mash the concoction into your preferred chunkiness using a potato masher or spoon’s back.

• Spice Up the

Sprinkle sugar and warm spices into the fruity blend. Nudge the heat slightly higher, inviting a gentle boil. Stir frequently as the mixture transforms and thickens over 10-15 minutes.

• Perform the Jam Test

Drop a small dollop onto a chilled plate. Let it rest momentarily. Swipe your finger through – if the jam holds its shape without running, celebration time has arrived!

• Finish with Flair

Lift pan from heat. Stir in vanilla extract for a subtle depth. Carefully ladle the hot jam into sterilized jars, leaving a small breathing space. Seal tightly with love.

• Rest and Preserve

Allow jars to cool naturally. Tuck them into the refrigerator for a 3-week flavor journey or process in a boiling water bath for year-long enjoyment.

Tips That Enhance Spice in Your Holiday Jam

• Toast whole spices briefly before grinding to intensify their warm, rich flavors.
• This jam can be prepared up to a week in advance, making holiday entertaining stress-free and delightful.
• For a lower-sugar version, replace half the sugar with a sugar-free sweetener or use low-sugar pectin to reduce overall sweetness.
• Decorate sealed jars with festive ribbons and custom labels for a personal homemade holiday gift that feels extra special.
• Experiment with different berry combinations like blackberries or blueberries to create unique seasonal jam variations that surprise and delight taste buds.

Serve This Jam on Toast or Cheese Boards

• Festive Breakfast Bliss: Spread this spiced Christmas jam generously on warm, buttered toast or freshly baked croissants for a delightful morning treat.
• Holiday Cheese Pairing: Serve alongside a cheese board with soft brie, sharp cheddar, or creamy goat cheese to create a stunning appetizer that wows guests at holiday gatherings.
• Baking: Swirl into thumbprint cookies, use as a filling for pastry tarts, or fold into muffin batter to add a burst of festive flavor and vibrant color to your holiday baking.
• Gourmet Gift Idea: Package in decorative mason jars with festive ribbons and personalized labels, creating a heartwarming homemade gift that friends and family will treasure.

Store Christmas Jam in Jars for Gifting

• Keep your homemade Christmas jam in clean, airtight glass containers in the refrigerator. Tightly sealed jars maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth for about 3 weeks.
• Transfer small amounts into individual smaller jars for easy gifting or convenient personal use. This method helps control serving sizes and reduces potential spoilage from repeated opening.
• Always store jam at consistent cold temperatures between 35-40°F. Sudden temperature changes can impact texture and potentially compromise the jam's delicious flavor profile.
• For extended storage beyond 3 weeks, freeze your jam in freezer-safe containers, leaving slight expansion room. Frozen jam maintains quality for up to 6 months when properly sealed and protected from freezer burn.

Festive Christmas Jam Recipe

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4.9 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Festive holiday Spiced Christmas Jam combines Mediterranean flavors with winter spices, creating a luxurious spread perfect for seasonal celebrations. Warm notes of cinnamon and clove complement sweet fruit, inviting you to savor Christmas morning traditions.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (250 g / 8.8 oz) strawberries or raspberries, hulled
• 2 cups (250 g / 8.8 oz) fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1 medium apple, peeled, cored, and grated
• 2 cups (400 g / 14.1 oz) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (120 mL / 4 fl oz) orange juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Grate the apple and combine cranberries, strawberries (or raspberries), and grated apple in a large saucepan with orange juice, creating a vibrant fruit base.
2. Cooking Process: Gently heat the mixture over medium temperature, encouraging cranberries to burst while stirring intermittently to prevent sticking and carefully mashing the fruits to develop a rustic texture.
3. Spice Infusion: Blend warm baking spices including cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves with granulated sugar, gradually transforming the mixture into a glossy, rich preserve with deepening flavors.
4. Boiling Stage: Elevate the heat, allowing the mixture to reach a gentle boil while stirring consistently to prevent scorching and ensure even caramelization of sugars and fruits.
5. Jam Readiness: Test the consistency by placing a small amount on a chilled plate, observing how the jam holds its shape when a finger is drawn through it, indicating perfect setting.
6. Finishing Touches: Remove from heat, stir in vanilla extract to distribute its aromatic essence, and carefully ladle the hot jam into sterilized glass containers, leaving minimal headspace.
7. Storage and Preservation: Seal jars tightly, allow to cool at room temperature, then refrigerate for short-term storage or process in a water bath for long-term preservation, ensuring maximum flavor retention.

Notes

• Choose Ripe Fruits: Select perfectly ripe, fresh cranberries and strawberries to ensure maximum natural sweetness and robust flavor profile.
• Master Spice Balance: Add baking spices gradually, tasting carefully to prevent overwhelming the delicate fruit essence while maintaining a warm, festive undertone.
• Prevent Burning Technique: Stir continuously during boiling stage and maintain medium heat to avoid scorching, which can create bitter undertones in the jam.
• Sterilization Safety: Thoroughly clean glass jars with hot water or sanitize in boiling water to prevent bacterial growth and extend jam’s preservation potential.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 130
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 0 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 33 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg