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Christmas Jam Recipe
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Christmas Jam Recipe

Learn how to make homemade Christmas jam with this detailed recipe featuring 3 secrets for the perfect holiday spread. Includes spiced cranberry, orange, and apple jam with step-by-step instructions, canning tips, and serving suggestions for festive gatherings.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Preserves
Cuisine: American
Calories: 75
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Fruits
  • 4 cups fresh cranberries
  • 2 cups diced apples (approximately 3-4 medium apples)
  • 1 cup  orange juice (freshly squeezed preferred)
Sweeteners & Thickeners
  • 3 cups  granulated sugar
  • 1 package (1.75 oz) fruit pectin
Spices
  • 1 teaspoon  ground cinnamon
  • ½  teaspoon  ground cloves
  • ¼  teaspoon ground ginger

Equipment

  • 1 Water Bath Canner with a rack
  • 6 Half-pint (8 oz) Canning Jars with new lids and rings
  • 1 Large, heavy-bottomed Pot or Dutch oven (at least 6-8 quarts)
  • 1 Canning Funnel
  • 1 Jar Lifter
  • 1 Ladle

Method
 

  1. Step 1: Prepare Your Fruits
    Wash and prepare fruits by chopping apples into small pieces and rinsing cranberries thoroughly. Wash fruits under cold water. Peel skins if necessary, especially for tougher fruits. Chop fruits into uniform pieces to allow for even cooking throughout the process.
  2. Step 2: Combine Fruits & Juice
    Combine cranberries, apples, and orange juice in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Bring mixture to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes until fruits soften and release their natural juices.
  3. Step 3: Add Sugar & Spices
    Add sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves completely. Mix thoroughly to ensure even distribution of spices throughout the mixture.
  4. Step 4: Add Pectin & Boil
    Stir in pectin and bring to a rolling boil for 1-2 minutes while stirring continuously. This ensures proper thickening and consistency for your finished jam.
  5. Step 5: Remove Foam
    Remove from heat and skim off any foam from the surface using a wooden spoon. This creates a clear, professional-looking jam.
  6. Step 6: Fill Jars
    Ladle hot jam into sterilized jars, leaving ¼-inch headspace at the top. Use a canning funnel to prevent spills and ensure clean jar rims.
  7. Step 7: Seal Jars
    Clean the jar rims with a clean, damp cloth. Apply sterilized lids and screw bands until just finger-tight (not fully sealed yet).
  8. Step 8: Process in Water Bath
    Place jars in a water bath canner filled with boiling water, ensuring jars are covered by 1-2 inches of water. Process for 10 minutes to ensure proper sealing and food safety.

Notes

  • Gifting: This jam makes a wonderful homemade gift for the holidays. Simply tie a ribbon and a gift tag around the sealed jar.
  • Serving Suggestions: Serve with scones, toast, or English muffins. It's also delicious as a topping for cheesecake, yogurt, or vanilla ice cream. For a savory twist, use it as a glaze for roasted pork or chicken, or serve it on a cheese board with brie or goat cheese.
  • Do Not Reduce Sugar: The amount of sugar is essential for a proper set and for preserving the jam. Reducing it may result in a runny, unset jam that will not be shelf-stable.