Description
Christmas Jam is a vibrant, sweet-and-tangy holiday preserve made with fresh cranberries, strawberries, sugar, and liquid pectin. Perfect for spreading on toast, muffins, and biscuits, serving with cheese, or packaging in festive jars as a homemade holiday gift.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz cranberries, fresh or frozen, rinsed and coarsely chopped
- 20 oz frozen strawberries, slightly thawed and coarsely chopped
- 4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon butter, to reduce foaming
- 1 package (3 oz) liquid pectin
Instructions
- Prepare the fruit: Rinse and sort the cranberries. Coarsely chop the cranberries and slightly thawed strawberries.
- Combine ingredients: Add the cranberries, strawberries, and sugar to a large, heavy-bottomed pot. Stir well and let stand for 10–15 minutes to release the fruit juices.
- Bring to a boil: Place the pot over medium-high heat. Stir in the butter and bring the mixture to a full, rolling boil, stirring frequently.
- Add the pectin: Stir in the liquid pectin. Return the mixture to a full boil and boil for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly, following the pectin package directions.
- Fill the jars: Remove the pot from the heat. Carefully ladle the hot jam into clean, prepared jars, leaving appropriate headspace if freezing or processing.
- Cool and store: Let the jam cool, then refrigerate or freeze. For shelf-stable storage, use a tested canning recipe and follow its specified processing instructions.
Notes
- Fruit: Fresh or frozen cranberries work well. Keep the fruit quantity consistent for the best results.
- Pectin: Use the specified 3-ounce package of liquid pectin and follow its instructions for the correct boiling time.
- Sugar: The full amount helps the jam set properly. Reducing it may affect the texture and setting.
- Canning safety: Simply pouring hot jam into sterilized jars and sealing them does not guarantee shelf stability. Refrigerate or freeze unless you use a tested water-bath canning procedure.
- Serving ideas: Enjoy with toast, pancakes, muffins, brie, goat cheese, or a holiday cheese board.
- Storage: Refrigerate and use within a few weeks, or freeze in suitable containers with room for expansion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Condiment, Jam
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 45 kcal
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 2 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: Christmas Jam, cranberry strawberry jam, holiday jam, homemade preserves, Christmas food gifts