Introduction

If you’re looking for the perfect homemade jam filled with tasty holiday spices, then this Christmas Jam is a must-try. It’s a vibrant blend of fresh cranberries and strawberries simmered with warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves for a festive treat.

A close-up image of a white spoon filled with thick, rich, dark red sauce that looks smooth and glossy with small chunks and a slightly sticky texture. The spoon is resting inside a pot full of the same dark red sauce, which has a wet and shiny surface. The background shows the edge of the pot around the sauce. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

24 oz. fresh cranberries (about 6 cups)
16 oz. fresh strawberries
1½ tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
½ tsp. ground cloves
¼ tsp. ground ginger
2 cups brown sugar

Instructions

Step 1: Add all ingredients to the slow cooker and stir to combine.
Step 2: Cook on HIGH for 4 hours without opening the lid during cooking.
Step 3: When done, transfer the contents to a blender or use an immersion blender. Pulse until a jam forms, being careful not to over-blend to avoid turning it into cranberry butter.
Step 4: Allow the jam to cool; it will thicken significantly as it cools due to the natural pectin in cranberries.
Step 5: Once cooled, transfer the jam to jars or containers for storage.

Tips & Variations

Use an immersion blender for easier blending straight in the slow cooker.
Adjust sugar to taste if you prefer a sweeter or tarter jam.
Try adding a splash of orange juice or zest for a citrus twist.
For a smoother texture, blend a little longer but avoid over-processing.

Storage

Store the cooled jam in airtight containers or jars in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, freeze the jam in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. To reheat, gently warm the jam on low heat stirring occasionally.

How to Serve

A close-up view of a thick, dark red sauce with a chunky texture, showing small bits and a glossy surface. A smooth white spoon is scooping up the rich sauce, which looks dense and slightly oily, with some small bubbles and seeds visible in the mixture. The background is blurred but appears to be the same deep red sauce, contained in a pot or bowl with dark, muted edges. The whole scene is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen berries instead of fresh?

Yes, you can substitute frozen cranberries and strawberries. Thaw them before adding to the slow cooker for best results, and reduce cooking time slightly if needed.

Do I need to add pectin to this jam?

No, the cranberries naturally contain pectin, which helps the jam thicken as it cools without the need for added pectin.

Christmas Cranberry Strawberry Spice Jam Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 147 reviews

This Christmas Jam Recipe combines fresh cranberries and strawberries with warm holiday spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger, slow-cooked to create a perfectly spiced, naturally pectin-rich jam. It’s an easy, festive spread ideal for the holiday season and makes a delicious addition to toast, desserts, or gifts.

Author: Lena
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
Yield: Approximately 4 cups of jam 1x
Category: Jam, Spread
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Fruits

24 oz. fresh cranberries (about 6 cups)
16 oz. fresh strawberries

Spices

1½ tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
½ tsp. ground cloves
¼ tsp. ground ginger

Sweetener

2 cups brown sugar

Instructions

Combine Ingredients: Add the fresh cranberries, strawberries, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, ground ginger, and brown sugar into the slow cooker bowl. Stir thoroughly to mix all the ingredients together evenly.
Cook the Mixture: Set the slow cooker to HIGH and cook the mixture for 4 hours. Do not open the lid during this time to allow the jam to cook properly and develop its flavors.
Blend to Jam: Once cooking is complete, transfer the hot mixture carefully from the slow cooker into a blender or use an immersion blender directly in the slow cooker. Pulse the mixture just enough to form a jam consistency. Avoid over-blending to prevent turning the mixture into cranberry butter.
Cool the Jam: Allow the jam to cool at room temperature. It will thicken as it cools due to the natural pectin from the cranberries.
Store: Once cooled, transfer the jam into clean jars or containers and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Notes

Do not open the slow cooker lid during cooking to ensure proper thickening and flavor development.
Avoid over blending the jam to prevent turning it into a butter-like consistency.
The jam thickens significantly as it cools because cranberries naturally contain pectin.
This jam is perfect for gifting in small jars during the holiday season.
Store the jam in the refrigerator and consume within 2 weeks or freeze for longer storage.

Keywords: Christmas jam, holiday jam recipe, cranberry strawberry jam, slow cooker jam, festive jam, homemade jam