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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Gather fresh cranberries, ripe strawberries (or raspberries), and a crisp apple, carefully grating the apple to release its natural sweetness.
- Transfer the fruits into a generously sized saucepan, introducing orange juice to create a vibrant liquid base that will help break down the fruits.
- Gently heat the mixture over medium temperature, encouraging the cranberries to burst and soften while stirring intermittently to prevent sticking.
- Use a potato masher or spoon to crush the fruits, creating a rustic texture that will define the jam’s character and mouthfeel.
- Incorporate warm baking spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, along with granulated sugar, which will transform the mixture into a glossy, rich preserve.
- Elevate the heat slightly, allowing the mixture to reach a gentle boil while stirring consistently to prevent scorching and ensure even caramelization.
- 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.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and introduce vanilla extract, stirring to distribute its aromatic essence throughout the jam.
- Carefully ladle the hot jam into sterilized glass containers, leaving a small amount of headspace to accommodate potential expansion.
- 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