There's just something magical about this old-fashioned Christmas Jam recipe. It tastes like the holidays in a jar - a blend of sweet strawberries and tart cranberries with a touch of warm spice that makes every bite merry and bright.
Why This Recipe is the Best
This is the kind of homemade jam that fills your kitchen with the smell of Christmas morning while it simmers on the stove. It's festive, perfectly red, and makes the most wonderful gift for friends, neighbors, or family.
It's spiced just enough to feel cozy but not overpowering, and the combination of strawberries and cranberries gives it the perfect balance of tart and sweet. We love that it's simple to make and easy to can, so you can stock your pantry or share it as a homemade holiday gift. It's also a great make-ahead recipe - just a few jars of this on hand means you've always got a little Christmas cheer to spread.
For more Christmas smells and flavors, try our Christmas Simmer Pot, Christmas Bread, and Cranberry Sauce.
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Key Ingredients
With just a few ingredients, you can make this tasty Christmas Jam all year round.
- Fruit- Use strawberries, cranberries, and oranges. The combination is the perfect taste of Christmas.
- Sugar- Yes, you really need 4 ½ pounds of sugar! It helps the jam set properly.
- Fruit Pectin- We love using liquid fruit pectin for this jam recipe. It gives it that just-right texture.
- Spices (optional)-½ teaspoon cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon cloves
How to make Christmas Jam
Learn how to mix Christmas Jam with these easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions.
- Add the fruit to a food processor and chop until there are small chunks. You don't want it to puree.
- Add the fruit, sugar, and orange zest and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat after 1 minute of boiling.
- Add the pectin. Stir and add the pot back to the heat and boil for another minute. Let the jam cool for 5 minutes and skim off the foam from the top.
- Add the jam to clean jars to set properly.
Hint: Don't worry if the jam looks runny when you pour it into the jars - it will thicken beautifully as it cools.
Common Mistakes
One of the biggest mistakes is not draining or thawing the fruit properly. If your strawberries or cranberries are too icy, the jam won't cook evenly, and you'll end up with a runny consistency. Also, don't reduce the sugar - we tested it multiple times, and 4 ½ pounds is the minimum needed to help the jam set and stay shelf-stable.
Top tip
Always skim all of the foam off the top before ladling the jam into jars. It's tempting to skip, but the foam hardens and creates an unpleasant texture later on. A few extra seconds with a spoon makes a big difference.
Recipe
Easy Christmas Jam
Ingredients
- 40 ounces frozen whole strawberries thawed or partially thawed, see notes 1 & 2
- 1 pound cranberries, fresh or frozen thawed or partially thawed if using frozen
- zest from one orange optional, see note 3
- 4 ½ pounds sugar yes, 4 ½ POUNDS, see note 4
- 6 ounces liquid fruit pectin in 3 ounce pouches
- spices for a Christmas spiced version optional, see note 5
Instructions
- Place strawberries and cranberries in a food processor and chop. Leave small chunks of fruit, and do not puree. Jelly is pureed and perfectly smooth, jam is not and has chunks of fruit in it.
- Place chopped fruit in a large heavy bottom pot - I use a dutch oven pot. Add sugar and orange zest. Stir while it heats up and bring it to a full rolling boil. Once it reaches a full boil, boil for exactly 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in pectin. Return to heat and return to a full rolling boil and boil for exactly one more minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
- Let cool about 5 minutes then skim off the foam. Carefully ladle the mixture into sterilized half pint size jars, leaving ¼" space at the top. Wipe the rims clean with a cloth damped with warm water. Place lids on top and secure.
- Process in a water bath for 10 minutes. See note 6. Carefully remove the jars and place somewhere they can sit completely undisturbed.
- Let stand, completely undisturbed for 12-24 hours. After 12 hours you can check the seals to check for sealing. If the lid gives or remains popped up, place it in the fridge for immediate use. If the jars have properly sealed they can be stored in a cool, dark place.
Notes
- I set mine out on the counter for about 2 hours before starting. You could also get yours out the night before and place them in the refrigerator. If you use the microwave to thaw, be very careful not to heat them up.
- You can also use 10 cups fresh strawberries, hulled.
- The orange gives it a little more of Christmas-y type of flavor. I like the strawberry cranberry jam as it is a little bit better without the orange, but for gifts for neighbors I like to add the orange for that little flair of Christmas.
- The sugar helps it set up. While testing this recipe, I couldn't guarantee a setup with any less than 4 ½ pounds of sugar.
- For a spiced variation, add zest from one more orange, then add ½ teaspoon cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon cloves at the same time as the sugar and zest.
- To process jam jars in a water bath, simply place in a pot of boiling water, making sure the jars are covered by at least 1 inch of water.
- The jam will be super runny when you put it in the jars. Don't worry! It will thicken as it cools.
Nutrition
Storing and Canning Christmas Jam
Once sealed, your jars of Christmas Jam can be stored in a cool, dark pantry for up to a year. After opening, refrigerate and use within three weeks. It's wonderful spread on toast, served with cream cheese and crackers, or even sandwiched between cookies for a festive treat.
Variations and Substitutions
You can play with this recipe to make it your own. Add a touch more orange zest for a brighter flavor, or increase the cinnamon if you love that spiced Christmas warmth. If you prefer a non-spiced version, leave out the cloves and cinnamon - it will taste like a classic strawberry cranberry jam.
FAQs
Christmas Jam is a sweet and slightly spiced strawberry cranberry jam that tastes just like the holidays. It's known for its beautiful red color, cozy flavor, and versatility - you can use it on toast, in cookies, or as a glaze for meats.
Traditional Christmas Jam includes strawberries, cranberries, sugar, pectin, and sometimes orange zest and warm spices like cinnamon and cloves.
You cook down strawberries and cranberries with sugar and orange zest, then add liquid pectin and boil briefly to thicken. Skim off the foam, pour into sterilized jars, and process in a water bath for canning.
Yes! This recipe is perfect for canning - just follow standard canning safety guidelines and process jars for 10 minutes in boiling water
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