There is something truly magical about a homemade Christmas Jam Recipe that fills your kitchen with the warm aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg, and freshly cooked berries. This festive jam combines tart cranberries and sweet strawberries with a blend of cozy spices, creating a luscious, vibrant preserve perfect for spreading on toast, dolloping on desserts, or even gifting to loved ones. Making this delightful jam in a slow cooker not only simplifies the process but also lends the flavors time to deepen and marry beautifully, giving you a Christmas treat that tastes like holiday cheer in every spoonful.

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients are straightforward yet essential, each contributing to the classic taste, enticing texture, and festive color that make this Christmas Jam Recipe so special and inviting.

24 oz. fresh cranberries: Provide natural tartness and pectin to help the jam set beautifully.
16 oz. fresh strawberries: Add sweetness and a lush, fruity depth that balances the cranberries perfectly.
1½ tsp. ground cinnamon: Gives that unmistakable warm, cozy note typical of holiday flavors.
1 tsp. ground nutmeg: Introduces subtle earthiness that enhances the spice profile.
1/2 tsp. ground cloves: Infuses a robust aromatic element that truly evokes the Christmas spirit.
1/4 tsp. ground ginger: Adds a gentle kick and bright undertone to round out the spices.
2 cups brown sugar: Sweetens and enriches the jam with molasses undertones for a deeper flavor.

How to Make Christmas Jam Recipe

Step 1: Combine Ingredients

Simply add all fresh cranberries, strawberries, spices, and brown sugar directly into your slow cooker. Give everything a good stir to mix and coat the berries evenly with the spices and sugar, setting the stage for a perfectly balanced jam.

Step 2: Slow Cook the Mixture

Set your slow cooker on HIGH and let it work its magic for 4 hours. It’s important not to open the lid during this time so the heat and moisture stay locked inside, encouraging the fruit to release their juices and soften into that luscious jam texture.

Step 3: Blend to Jam Perfection

Once cooked, transfer the mixture into a blender or use an immersion blender right in the pot. Pulse gently until you reach a spreadable jam consistency—be careful not to over-blend, or you’ll end up with cranberry butter, which is a different kind of delicious but not what we’re aiming for here!

Step 4: Cool and Thicken

After blending, allow the jam to cool completely. Thanks to the natural pectin in cranberries, it will thicken nicely as it cools, turning into that perfect spreadable texture we all crave during the holiday season.

Step 5: Store and Enjoy

Once cooled, transfer your Christmas jam into clean jars or containers. Now it’s ready to enjoy or gift—either way, you’re in for a treat that embodies the spirit of Christmas.

How to Serve Christmas Jam Recipe

Garnishes

Top your serving with a sprig of fresh rosemary or a few whole cranberries to echo the festive flavors and add a lovely visual touch. A little extra sprinkle of cinnamon on top can also amp up the warmth and spice.

Side Dishes

This jam pairs wonderfully with warm buttered toast or fluffy scones for breakfast, but don’t stop there. Try it alongside cream cheese on a bagel or spread over pancakes and waffles to make holiday mornings feel extra special.

Creative Ways to Present

Use your Christmas Jam Recipe as a glaze over roasted turkey or pork to add a sweet and tangy layer of flavor. You can also swirl it into yogurt parfaits or dollop it on top of cheesecake for a festive dessert burst. And if you’re feeling crafty, create charming mason jar gifts layered with granola and jam—holiday cheer that tastes as good as it looks!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your jam in the refrigerator in airtight containers where it will stay fresh for up to two weeks. The flavors often deepen the longer it rests, making leftovers just as delightful, if not more so.

Freezing

If you want to preserve your Christmas Jam Recipe longer, you can freeze it. Use freezer-safe jars or bags and leave some room for expansion. Frozen jam maintains its wonderful flavor and texture for up to three months, perfect for enjoying well beyond the holiday season.

Reheating

When ready to use frozen or chilled jam, simply thaw it in the refrigerator overnight or warm it gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally. Reheating helps restore its spreadable consistency and amplifies that cozy, festive aroma.

FAQs

Can I use frozen berries instead of fresh for this Christmas Jam Recipe?

Absolutely! Frozen berries work well and can be a convenient alternative, especially if fresh cranberries or strawberries aren’t available. Just be sure to thaw them slightly before cooking to help the jam come together evenly.

What can I substitute for brown sugar?

If you prefer, you can use white granulated sugar or coconut sugar instead of brown sugar. Keep in mind brown sugar adds a rich, molasses undertone that’s lovely in this jam, but substitutions will still yield delicious results.

Is it possible to make this jam without a slow cooker?

Yes, you can prepare this jam on the stovetop using a heavy-bottomed pot. Simmer the ingredients on low heat for about an hour, stirring occasionally until the fruit softens and thickens. Just keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn.

How long does the Christmas Jam Recipe keep once opened?

Once opened, store the jam in the fridge and try to consume it within two weeks for optimal freshness and safety. Always use a clean spoon to avoid introducing bacteria.

Can this jam be canned for shelf storage?

This recipe can be canned using proper water bath canning techniques, as cranberries are naturally high in acid. Make sure to use sterilized jars and follow safe canning guidelines to preserve your Christmas Jam Recipe for months.

Final Thoughts

There’s something incredibly heartwarming about sharing a spoonful of homemade Christmas Jam Recipe with people you love. This jam captures the essence of the holiday season with its perfect balance of tart and sweet flavors fragrant with festive spices. Whether you spread it on toast, gift it in pretty jars, or get creative in the kitchen, this recipe is sure to become a cherished staple in your holiday traditions. Give it a try—you won’t regret filling your home with its joyful flavor!

Christmas Jam Recipe

★★★★★

5.1 from 24 reviews

Author: Harper
Total Time: 4 hours 15 mins
Yield: About 3 cups 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

This homemade Christmas Jam is a festive, flavorful spread made with fresh cranberries, strawberries, and warm holiday spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. Slow-cooked to perfection, it offers a perfectly textured, sweet-tart jam ideal for holiday breakfasts, gifts, or savory pairings.

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

Prepare Ingredients: Rinse the fresh cranberries and strawberries thoroughly to remove any debris. Hull and quarter the strawberries if large for even cooking.
Combine in Slow Cooker: Place cranberries, strawberries, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger into the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
Cook: Set the slow cooker to HIGH and cook for 4 hours. Keep the lid closed during cooking to allow the fruit to soften and release natural pectin, which helps the jam set.
Blend the Jam: After cooking, transfer the contents carefully into a blender or use an immersion blender. Pulse gently until a jam-like consistency forms. Avoid overblending to prevent turning the mixture into cranberry butter.
Cool and Thicken: Pour the jam into a container and allow it to cool. The jam will thicken as it cools due to the natural pectin in cranberries.
Store: Once cooled, store the jam in sterilized jars or airtight containers, and refrigerate. It will keep well for up to two weeks or can be frozen for longer storage.

Notes

Do not open the slow cooker lid during cooking to ensure proper setting.
If you prefer a chunkier texture, pulse the blender less.
This jam pairs wonderfully with toasted bread, cheese boards, or as a glaze for meats.
Use brown sugar to add a deeper molasses flavor compared to white sugar.
For longer preservation, process jars in a water bath for canning or freeze the jam.

Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 4 hours
Category: Jam, Spread, Condiment
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American, Holiday