Christmas Jam

5 from 16 votes

The combination of strawberries, cranberries, orange zest and cinnamon makes this jam the perfect gift to share with friends during the holiday season!

Course condiment

Cuisine American

Keyword Christmas Jam, Strawberry Cranberry Jam

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 1

Resting Time 12

Total Time 13 10

Servings (8 ounce) jars approximately

Calories 47kcal

Author Blair Lonergan

Ingredients

40 ounces frozen unsweetened strawberries, thawed or partially thawed (or sub with 2-½ quarts fresh strawberries, hulled)
1 lb. fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed or partially thawed
Zest from 2 oranges (about 2 tablespoons)
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon allspice
4 lbs. granulated sugar
2 pouches (3 ounces each) liquid fruit pectin

Instructions

Coarsely chop the strawberries and cranberries in a food processor or grinder (do not puree). It’s fine if you still have some larger chunks of fruit – you can mash them with a potato masher or a wooden spoon while they’re cooking. You don’t want the fruit totally pureed, because this is jam (not syrup or jelly!) – and it should have some chunky pieces of fruit throughout.
Transfer the fruit to a large Dutch oven. Add orange zest, cinnamon, cloves, allspice and sugar. Bring the mixture to a full rolling boil, stirring occasionally. Once the mixture comes to a full rolling boil, continue the boil for exactly 1 minute. Remove from the heat; stir in pectin and return to a full rolling boil. Once the mixture returns to a full rolling boil, set a timer and boil for exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat.
Cool for 5 minutes; skim off the foam. At this point, the mixture will still be quite thin – it will not look like a thick jam. That’s fine! It will thicken and set as it cools. Carefully ladle the hot mixture into hot, sterilized half-pint jars, leaving ¼-inch of headspace. Wipe the rims clean with a damp cloth; secure the lids.
Process in a water bath for 10 minutes. Carefully remove the jars to a towel on the counter.
Let stand, undisturbed, for 12 hours at room temperature. Check the seals after 12 hours by pressing the center of the lids. If the lid gives or the center button remains popped up, store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. Properly sealed jars will keep in a cool, dark place for up to 8 months. Refrigerate after opening.

Video

Notes

A jar of jam and a thoughtful holiday card make a great gift for friends, family, and neighbors throughout the holiday season. If you want to assemble a larger gift basket, try pairing the jam with some fresh ly-baked biscuits and country ham, or with a loaf of Dutch oven bread.

Since this strawberry and cranberry jam is also delicious on a charcuterie board for party appetizers throughout the holiday season, create a hostess gift basket with the jam, a bottle of wine, gourmet crackers, a batch of homemade pimento cheese, or some candied pecans.

How to Decorate Jam Jars for Christmas: I stick with simple, festive decorations on my jars of jam. Just a red and white gingham ribbon tied around the top is my favorite! You can also add a sprig of fresh greens, tie on little gold jingle bells, or create Christmas jam labels. I have these wreath labels that work great!

Nutrition