Description
A festive and flavorful Spiced Christmas Jam featuring cranberries, strawberries, and apple, enhanced with warm spices and citrus notes. Perfect as a holiday gift or a delicious addition to toast, cream cheese, or roasted meats.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit and Juices
- 3 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 2 cups strawberries, hulled and chopped
- 1 medium apple, peeled, cored, and finely diced
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
Spices
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Other Ingredients
- 1 (1.75 oz) package fruit pectin
- 5 cups granulated sugar
Instructions
- Combine Fruit and Juices: In a large saucepan, combine cranberries, strawberries, apple, orange juice, lemon juice, and orange zest. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the fruit begins to soften and break down, about 10 minutes.
- Mash Fruit: Use a potato masher or immersion blender to lightly mash the fruit to your desired consistency, creating the base texture for the jam.
- Add Spices: Stir in ground cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg until evenly incorporated to infuse warm, festive flavors.
- Incorporate Pectin: Sprinkle in the fruit pectin and stir well to combine thoroughly ensuring proper setting of the jam.
- Boil Mixture: Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly to prevent burning or sticking.
- Add Sugar: Add the granulated sugar all at once and stir continuously. Return to a rolling boil and boil vigorously for exactly 1 minute to activate the pectin and thicken the jam.
- Remove Foam: Remove the saucepan from heat and skim off any foam from the surface for clear jam.
- Jar the Jam: Ladle the hot jam into sterilized half-pint jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace to allow for expansion.
- Seal and Process: Wipe rims clean, seal jars with lids, and process them in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes to ensure preservation and safety.
- Storage: Allow jars to cool completely. Store sealed jars in a cool, dark place. Refrigerate after opening or if not processed immediately for future use.
Notes
- This jam makes an excellent homemade holiday gift for friends and family.
- Try the jam spread on toast, over cream cheese with crackers, or as a flavorful glaze for roast meats.
- If fresh fruit is unavailable, frozen fruit works well. Be sure to thaw before using.
