Description

This festive Christmas Jam combines the tartness of cranberries with the sweetness of strawberries and warm holiday spices, creating a perfect seasonal spread for toast, pastries, or gifts. Using a quick cooking method with fruit pectin, it’s a simple recipe that yields multiple pint jars of delicious homemade jam bursting with rich flavors of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.

Ingredients

Scale

Fruit

1.5 pounds unsweetened strawberries (frozen)
½ pound fresh or frozen cranberries

Sweetener and Pectin

5 cups white granulated sugar
2 pouches liquid fruit pectin

Spices

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon cloves

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Instructions

Prepare Fruit: Begin by thawing the frozen strawberries if using frozen, and rinse fresh cranberries. Combine the strawberries and cranberries in a large heavy-bottomed pot suitable for jam making.
Add Sugar and Spices: Pour in the 5 cups of white granulated sugar along with the ground cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Stir thoroughly to evenly distribute the sugar and spices with the fruit mixture.
Cook the Jam: Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a rolling boil while stirring frequently to prevent sticking. Once boiling, continue to cook for approximately 10-15 minutes or until the fruit breaks down and the mixture thickens.
Add Liquid Fruit Pectin: Stir in the two pouches of liquid fruit pectin. Bring the jam back to a full rolling boil and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes while stirring continuously. Remove from heat and skim off any foam that appears on the surface before ladling into sterilized jars for canning and storage.

Notes

Use sterilized jars and lids to preserve the jam safely for long-term storage.
The combination of thawed frozen and fresh fruit works well to maintain texture and flavor.
Adjust spices slightly based on your taste preferences for warmth and intensity.
Allow the jam to cool before sealing jars to prevent spoilage.
Jam consistency can vary based on the ripeness and amount of natural pectin in the fruit; cooking times may need slight adjustment.