Christmas Jam: 5 Jars of Pure Holiday Joy

You know, the holidays just wouldn’t feel complete without that little something special, right? For me, it’s all about bringing more than just food to the table – it’s about sharing a little bit of pure joy. That’s exactly what this christmas jam does. Imagine a gorgeous, glistening spread of ruby-red strawberries and tart cranberries, all kissed with a hint of warm cinnamon. It’s like bottling up the cozy feelings of the season! I remember the first time I made a batch, it felt so incredibly rewarding, like I’d unlocked a secret to making the holidays even more magical. This recipe is a favorite because it’s so simple, but the flavor? Absolutely unforgettable. It’s the perfect way to add that homemade touch, whether it’s for your own breakfast table or as a thoughtful, edible gift.

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Why You’ll Love This Christmas Jam Recipe

This christmas jam isn’t just another spread; it’s a little jar of holiday happiness! Here’s why it’ll become a favorite:

• So Easy to Make: Seriously, it’s surprisingly simple and comes together fast.
• Incredible Flavor: That perfect blend of sweet strawberries, tart cranberries, and warm cinnamon is just divine.
• Festive & Fun: The vibrant color screams holidays!
• Perfect for Gifting: Wrap it up with a pretty ribbon for beautiful homemade festive jam gifts.
• Canning Made Simple: It’s water-bath safe, so preserving is a breeze.
• Versatile Delight: Tastes amazing on toast, scones, or even as a glaze.

Gather Your Ingredients for the Perfect Christmas Jam

Alright, let’s get down to business! To make this amazing christmas jam, you’ll need just a few simple things. Don’t worry, nothing too fancy here. You’ll need about 2 cups of strawberries, and it doesn’t matter if they’re fresh or frozen – just make sure they’re hulled and chopped up. Then, grab another 2 cups of cranberries, again, fresh or frozen works great. We’ll also need a little water to get things going, some lemon juice for brightness, and of course, that warm hug of flavor from a cinnamon stick, a pinch of orange zest, and a whisper of cloves. The sugar and pectin are super important for that perfect jammy set, plus a little corn syrup to help it along. This recipe should give you about 5 lovely half-pint jars of pure holiday goodness!

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Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Christmas Jam

Alright, let’s dive into making this beautiful christmas jam! It really breaks down into just a few key stages, and trust me, each step is totally doable. We’ll get those gorgeous fruits cooked down, bring in the sweetness and thickening magic, and then happily get them into jars. It’s all about following along, and you’ll have this sparkling jam ready in no time!

Preparing Your Canning Supplies

First things first, we gotta get our canning station ready. This is super important for safe preserving! Make sure you have your water bath canner filled with enough water to cover your jars by at least an inch, and get that heating up. While it’s warming, wash your jars, lids, and bands really well. Jars are usually best sterilized by boiling them in water for about 10 minutes, but you can also run them through the sanitize cycle on your dishwasher. Keep those jars hot until you’re ready to fill them!

Cooking the Fruit Base for Your Christmas Jam

Now for the fun part – making all those yummy flavors come together! In your biggest pot, toss in those strawberries and cranberries. Add in the water, that splash of lemon juice for brightness, and then your flavor stars: the cinnamon stick, orange zest, and those little hints of cloves. Give it a good stir, bring it all up to a boil over medium-high heat, and let it bubble away for about 10 minutes, just to soften everything up and let those spices really bloom. Don’t forget to fish out that cinnamon stick before we move on!

Achieving the Perfect Set with Sugar and Pectin

Okay, this is where the jam really starts to take shape! Stir in your granulated sugar and that light corn syrup. Now, you want to bring this mixture to a full, rolling boil – and I mean a boil that you *cannot* stir down. Keep it there for a moment. Next, quickly stir in your powdered fruit pectin. Get it all mixed in, bring it back up to that rolling boil, and let it boil for exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly. This is what helps it set up perfectly!

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Jarring and Processing Your Festive Jam

Almost there! Carefully ladle that hot, gorgeous jam into your prepared, hot jars. Make sure you leave about a quarter-inch of space at the top, called headspace. Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp cloth – this is crucial to make sure they seal properly. Then, screw on the bands fingertip tight. Place your filled jars into your simmering water bath canner. Make sure they’re covered by water, pop a lid on your canner, and process them for 10 minutes. Just remember to adjust that time if you’re at a higher altitude! Once they’re done, carefully lift them out and let them cool completely on a towel-lined counter. You’ll hear those delightful little pings as they seal!

Tips for Canning Christmas Jam Success

You’ve made it this far, and you’re so close to jam perfection! To ensure your christmas jam turns out beautifully every time, a couple of little things can make a big difference. Skimming off any foam that rises to the top while your jam is cooking helps give you that crystal-clear, gorgeous finish. And after processing, don’t forget to check those seals! Give the lid a gentle press – if it doesn’t flex, you’ve got a perfect seal. If you prefer a smoother texture instead of whole fruit pieces, try giving the cooked fruit mixture a quick whiz with an immersion blender before you add the sugar and pectin. It’s these little touches that really elevate your homemade preservative game!

Creative Ways to Use Your Christmas Jam

This beautiful christmas jam is way more than just something to slather on toast, though it’s amazing for that too! Think of it as your secret weapon for holiday entertaining and gifting. It’s fantastic on a cheese and charcuterie board – that pop of festive color and flavor is such a wow-factor! I also love swirling a spoonful into yogurt or oatmeal for a quick, special breakfast. Feeling fancy? It makes an incredible glaze for roasted pork loin or chicken. And don’t forget about desserts! A dollop on vanilla ice cream or as a filling for shortbread cookies? Pure magic. It’s seriously so versatile!

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Storing Your Homemade Holiday Jam

Now that you’ve made this incredible Christmas jam, let’s talk about keeping it lovely! Properly sealed jars can hang out in your pantry for a whole year, maybe even longer, and still taste fantastic! Just make sure they’re stored in a cool, dark place. Once you’ve opened a jar, pop it into the fridge. It should stay delicious for a good 3 to 4 weeks. So you have plenty of time to enjoy it on toast, yogurt, or even with some roasted meats!

Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Jam

Share Your Festive Creations!

I just LOVE hearing from you! Have you made this gorgeous christmas jam? I’d be thrilled if you’d share your thoughts in the comments below, or even give the recipe a star rating! Let me know if you tried any fun variations or how you used your festive jam. Happy cooking!

Christmas Jam

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A festive strawberry-cranberry jam with cinnamon, perfect for holiday gifts or breakfast.

• Author: purejoyalex
• Prep Time: 20 min
• Cook Time: 30 min
• Total Time: 50 min
• Yield: 5 half-pint jars 1x
• Category: Preserves
• Method: Water Bath Canning
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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• 2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries, hulled and chopped
• 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 4 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1 packet (1.75 oz) powdered fruit pectin

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Instructions

1. Prepare your water bath canner, jars, lids, and bands.
2. In a large pot, combine strawberries, cranberries, water, lemon juice, cinnamon stick, orange zest, and cloves.
3. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.
4. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick.
5. Stir in the sugar and corn syrup. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil that cannot be stirred down.
6. Stir in the pectin and bring back to a rolling boil. Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
7. Remove from heat. Skim off any foam.
8. Ladle the hot jam into prepared jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace.
9. Wipe rims and screw on bands fingertip tight.
10. Process in a water bath canner for 10 minutes (adjust for altitude if necessary).
11. Remove jars and let cool completely on a towel-lined counter. Check seals.

Notes

• This recipe makes approximately 5 half-pint jars.
• For a smoother jam, you can blend the cooked fruit mixture before adding sugar and pectin.
• Ensure your jars are properly sterilized for safe canning.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
• Calories: 50
• Sugar: 12g
• Sodium: 0mg
• Fat: 0g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 13g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg