Jolly Spiced Christmas Jam Recipe: Festive Homemade Magic

Winter’s crisp mornings call for a delightful spiced christmas jam that brings warmth to your kitchen.

Festive aromas will dance through your home as you blend rich seasonal fruits with warming spices.

Cinnamon and cloves mingle beautifully with sweet berries, creating a spread that captures holiday memories.

Each spoonful tells a story of cozy gatherings and cherished traditions.

Homemade preserves connect us to generations of kitchen creativity, turning simple ingredients into something magical.

Jars of this vibrant jam make heartfelt gifts that show you care deeply about sharing joy.

Let’s craft a preserve that will become your new holiday signature.

Christmas Jam That’s Sweet, Spicy, and Perfect for Gifting

• Festive Flavor Explosion: This homemade jam captures the magical essence of holiday celebrations with its vibrant blend of seasonal fruits and warm spices.
• Whip up this delectable jam in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want to create something special without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Package this beautiful jam in decorative jars for a thoughtful, personal gift that shows loved ones how much you care, transforming a simple recipe into a heartwarming present.
• Capture the essence of winter berries and festive spices in a jar, allowing you to enjoy the taste of Christmas long after the holiday season has passed.

Spiced Jam Ingredients for Holiday Flavor

• Cranberries: Tart berries that provide the classic holiday flavor and deep red color.
• Strawberries or Raspberries: Sweet berries that balance the tartness of cranberries, choose ripe and fresh.
• Grated Apple: Adds natural pectin and helps thicken the jam, use firm and crisp varieties.

• Orange Juice: Brings bright citrus notes and helps break down fruits, fresh is best.

• Sugar: Essential for sweetness and jam preservation, granulated white sugar works perfectly.
• Cinnamon: Warm and classic Christmas spice that adds depth to the jam.
• Nutmeg: Provides a subtle, nutty background flavor typical in holiday recipes.
• Cloves: Intense, aromatic spice that enhances the Christmas feel of the jam.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds rounded sweetness and complexity to the final jam, pure extract recommended.

Make Spiced Jam That’s Smooth and Festive

Step 1: Create Fruity Base

Toss cranberries, strawberries, and grated apple into a large saucepan. Pour orange juice and warm the mixture over medium heat, letting the fruits start their magical transformation.

Step 2: Crush and Soften Fruits

Cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, until cranberries burst and fruits become tender. Mash everything with a potato masher, creating a delightful chunky texture that hints at the festive flavors to come.

Step 3: Introduce Warm Spices

• Sugar
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Cloves

Gently increase heat and bring to a soft boil. Stir frequently as the mixture thickens and the kitchen fills with wonderful holiday aromas.

Step 4: Verify Jam Consistency

Test jam’s readiness by dropping a small amount on a chilled plate. Let it cool briefly, then run your finger through it. If the jam holds its shape without running, it’s perfectly done.

Step 5: Enhance with Vanilla

Pull the pan off the heat and stir in vanilla extract, adding a smooth, rich undertone to the jam.

Step 6: Preserve Your Creation

Carefully ladle the hot jam into sterilized jars, leaving a small space at the top. Seal tightly with lids.

Step 7: Final Storage

Let jars cool to room temperature. Refrigerate for three weeks or process in a boiling water bath for year-long preservation.

Pro Tips for Thick, Spreadable Christmas Jam

• Choose Ripe Fruits: Select fully ripe, fresh cranberries and strawberries for maximum flavor and natural sweetness in your jam.
• Master Consistency Control: Use a potato masher or spoon to create your preferred jam texture, from chunky to smooth, depending on personal preference.
• Prevent Burning Trick: Stir frequently during cooking to avoid scorching and ensure even heat distribution for perfect jam development.
• Seasonal Spice Balance: Adjust cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves quantities to create a personalized Christmas flavor profile that suits your taste.
• Refrigeration and Preservation: Process jars in a water bath for long-term storage or keep in the refrigerator for quick consumption within three weeks.

Store Jam the Right Way for Long-Lasting Flavor

• Store your homemade Christmas jam in airtight glass containers in the refrigerator for maximum freshness, keeping it cool and sealed tightly.
• Enjoy the jam within 3 weeks when refrigerated, or process jars in a water bath to extend shelf life up to 1 year in a cool, dark pantry.
• Gently warm small portions in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, stirring midway to distribute heat evenly and maintain jam's smooth texture.
• Remove jam from refrigerator 10 minutes before serving to soften slightly, making it easier to spread on toast, scones, or holiday desserts.

Best Things to Pair with Spiced Christmas Jam

• Slather this spiced Christmas jam on warm, crispy sourdough or brioche toast for a morning treat that captures holiday cheer. The jam's vibrant cranberry and berry flavors dance perfectly with buttery, golden bread.
• Create a stunning cheese board featuring brie, camembert, or goat cheese alongside this jam. The sweet-spicy notes complement the rich, creamy textures of soft cheeses, making an elegant appetizer or dessert pairing.
• Swirl a spoonful into sparkling prosecco, mulled wine, or a festive non-alcoholic cider for an instant flavor boost. The jam's warm spices and fruity base add depth and complexity to holiday beverages.
• Fold the jam into thumbprint cookies, swirl into cheesecake, or use as a filling for holiday tarts. Its vibrant color and robust flavor transform simple desserts into stunning seasonal showstoppers.

Jam Variants You’ll Want to Jar All Year

• Low-Sugar Version: Replace regular sugar with a sugar-free alternative like stevia or monk fruit sweetener, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining the festive flavor profile.
• Diabetic-Friendly Option: Use sugar substitutes and add chia seeds for natural thickening, creating a jam suitable for individuals managing blood sugar levels.
• Vegan Adaptation: Swap honey or gelatin with pectin or agar-agar to create a plant-based jam that maintains the traditional Christmas spice blend.
• Gluten-Free Alternative: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free and use cornstarch or arrowroot as a potential thickening agent if needed, making the recipe safe for those with gluten sensitivities.

Spiced Christmas Jam Recipe

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• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Festive holiday spirits come alive with spiced Christmas jam, a delightful preserve that brings warmth and cheer to winter gatherings. Seasonal spices and tangy fruits combine in this quick recipe, offering you a delicious homemade gift that sparks joy and celebration.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Fruits:

• 2 cups (250 grams / 8.8 ounces) fresh or frozen cranberries
• 2 cups (250 grams / 8.8 ounces) strawberries or raspberries, hulled
• 1 medium apple, peeled, cored, and grated

Sweeteners and Liquid:

• 2 cups (400 grams / 14.1 ounces) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (120 milliliters / 4 fluid ounces) orange juice (freshly squeezed, if possible)

Spices and Flavoring:

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Gather fresh cranberries, ripe strawberries (or raspberries), and a crisp apple, carefully grating the apple to release its natural sweetness.
2. Transfer the fruits into a generously sized saucepan, introducing orange juice to create a vibrant liquid base that will help break down the fruits.
3. Gently heat the mixture over medium temperature, encouraging the cranberries to burst and soften while stirring intermittently to prevent sticking.
4. Use a potato masher or spoon to crush the fruits, creating a rustic texture that will define the jam’s character and mouthfeel.
5. Incorporate warm baking spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, along with granulated sugar, which will transform the mixture into a glossy, rich preserve.
6. Elevate the heat slightly, allowing the mixture to reach a gentle boil while stirring consistently to prevent scorching and ensure even caramelization.
7. Conduct the readiness test by placing a small amount on a chilled plate, observing how the jam holds its shape when a finger is drawn through it.
8. Remove the saucepan from heat and introduce vanilla extract, stirring to distribute its aromatic essence throughout the jam.
9. Carefully ladle the hot jam into sterilized glass containers, leaving a small amount of headspace to accommodate potential expansion.
10. Seal the jars tightly and allow them to cool naturally at room temperature, then refrigerate for short-term storage or process in a water bath for long-term preservation.

Notes

• Select ripe, fresh fruits for maximum flavor intensity and natural sweetness in your jam.
• Use a wide, heavy-bottomed pan to prevent burning and ensure even heat distribution during cooking.
• Adjust sugar levels based on fruit ripeness and personal preference, keeping in mind that less sugar means a tangier jam.
• Experiment with alternative spices like cardamom or ginger for unique flavor profiles that complement the traditional Christmas spices.
• For a lower-sugar version, consider using pectin or adding chia seeds to help thicken the jam naturally without excessive sweetening.
• Create a vegan-friendly option by ensuring all ingredients are plant-based and using alternative thickening agents if needed.
• Sterilize jars thoroughly to prevent bacterial growth and extend the jam’s shelf life, using boiling water or a dishwasher’s sanitize cycle.
• Consider gifting small jars as homemade holiday presents, adding a personal touch with decorative labels and ribbon-wrapped lids.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 132
• Sugar: 24g
• Sodium: 1mg
• Fat: 0g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 33g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg