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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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