If you’re searching for a delightfully cozy and aromatic treat to brighten up your holiday table, this Spiced Christmas Jam is an absolute must-make. Brimming with the natural sweetness of strawberries and the tart zing of cranberries, layered with warming cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and cloves, this jam captures the essence of festive cheer in every spoonful. It’s the perfect homemade gift, a lovely spread for your morning toast, or that extra special touch to your holiday cheese board. Get ready to fill your kitchen with the irresistible scents of Christmas!

Spiced Christmas Jam Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Whipping up this Spiced Christmas Jam is easier than you might think because it relies on simple, wholesome ingredients that each play a vital role in building its rich flavor, vibrant color, and perfect texture.

Fresh or frozen strawberries (1 1/2 pounds / 6 cups): These provide a sweet, juicy base and beautiful red color.
Fresh or frozen cranberries (1/2 pound / 2 cups): Add a bright tartness that balances the sweetness.
Sugar (2 1/2 pounds / 5 cups): Acts as a preservative and sweetener, bringing body to the jam.
Liquid fruit pectin (2 pouches, 170mL each): Essential for helping the jam set with the perfect consistency.
Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Infuses warmth and classic holiday spice notes.
Ground ginger (1 teaspoon): Adds a subtle zing that wakes up the fruit flavors.
Ground allspice (1/4 teaspoon): Brings depth with its complex, sweet-spicy aroma.
Ground cloves (1/4 teaspoon): Rounds out the spice blend with its distinct, cozy flavor.

How to Make Spiced Christmas Jam

Step 1: Prepare the Fruit

Start by pureeing your strawberries and cranberries in a food processor. Don’t worry whether your berries are frozen or fresh; they’ll both work beautifully here. Depending on your food processor size, you might need to do this in batches to get a nice, even puree. Transfer this fruity blend into a large saucepan—this will be the base of your jam.

Step 2: Add Sugar and Spices

Pour in the sugar along with the cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and cloves directly into the saucepan. These spices are the magic that transform simple berries into a festive sensation. Stir everything together well to make sure the sugar and spices are evenly distributed.

Step 3: Bring the Mixture to a Boil

Heat the mixture over medium-high, stirring to prevent scorching. You’re waiting for what’s called a “full boil,” where bubbles are rapidly forming all over the surface even while stirring. This intense boil is crucial to activating the pectin and thickening the jam naturally.

Step 4: Boil for One Full Minute

Once your jam hits a full boil, keep it bubbling for a whole minute. This helps the sugar dissolve fully and melds the flavors together. It’s the point where your kitchen begins to smell like holiday magic!

Step 5: Add Fruit Pectin

Take the saucepan off the heat and stir in the liquid fruit pectin. This ingredient is key for that jammy texture we all love. Mix well to combine, then return the saucepan to the heat.

Step 6: Final Boil

Bring the jam back up to a full boil and maintain it for one more minute, stirring steadily. This last boil activates the pectin completely, ensuring your jam will set beautifully once cooled.

Step 7: Skim Off Foam

Remove the saucepan from heat and watch the bubbling settle. You’ll likely notice some foam on top; use a spoon or ladle to skim it off gently and discard. This step gives your jam a clearer, prettier finish.

Step 8: Jar the Jam

Ladle the hot jam carefully into warm sterilized jars, leaving about 1/4 inch of headspace at the top. Secure clean, warm lids on the jars with a band just snug enough to hold them in place without applying extra pressure.

Step 9: Water Bath Processing

Submerge the jars in a boiling water bath ensuring they’re covered by about two inches of water. Boil the jars for 10 minutes to ensure the jam is sealed and safe for long-term storage.

Step 10: Cool and Store

Carefully remove the jars and place them on a heat-proof surface. Let them cool completely, undisturbed for about 12 hours, which allows the jam to set firm. After that, wipe the jars clean and label them, then store in a cool, dark cabinet to enjoy all season long.

How to Serve Spiced Christmas Jam

Garnishes

A sprinkle of freshly chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts, or a few whole cranberries, really add a festive sparkle and a bit of crunch when serving your Spiced Christmas Jam. Fresh herb sprigs like rosemary or mint can also add an elegant touch.

Side Dishes

This jam pairs beautifully with warm buttered toast, creamy brie cheese, or spiced gingerbread cookies. The fruity, spicy notes complement savory meats like roasted pork or turkey as well, making it a versatile holiday condiment.

Creative Ways to Present

For a charming holiday gift, spoon the jam into small mason jars and decorate the lids with festive fabric and ribbons. You can also swirl a dollop of this jam into vanilla yogurt or oatmeal for a deliciously spiced breakfast treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once opened, keep your Spiced Christmas Jam refrigerated. It will stay fresh and flavorful for up to a month, just make sure to use a clean spoon each time to avoid contamination.

Freezing

If you want to keep your jam longer, it freezes beautifully. Just transfer it into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Thaw it slowly in the fridge when ready to use, and stir well before serving.

Reheating

If your jam thickens too much in the fridge or freezer, warming it gently over low heat can restore its spreadable consistency. Stir frequently and avoid boiling during reheating to maintain the fresh fruit flavor.

FAQs

Can I use only fresh berries for this recipe?

Absolutely! Both fresh and frozen berries work wonderfully, so use what’s easiest for you. Just be sure to thaw frozen berries before pureeing for the best texture.

What makes this jam different from regular berry jam?

The addition of aromatic spices like cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and cloves gives this jam a deep, festive flavor that regular berry jams don’t have. It evokes a warm, holiday spirit in every bite.

Is the liquid fruit pectin necessary?

Yes, the liquid fruit pectin helps the jam to set properly. Without it, your jam might be too runny or take much longer to thicken.

How long can I store unopened jars of jam?

Properly sealed and stored in a cool, dark place, unopened jars can last up to one year, allowing you to prepare well ahead of the holidays or keep it for a cozy winter treat.

Can I adjust the spice levels?

Definitely! Feel free to tweak the spices to your liking. If you want it more warming, add a little extra cinnamon or ginger. For a subtler spice note, reduce the cloves or allspice.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend this Spiced Christmas Jam enough if you want to bring a heartfelt and aromatic touch to your holiday celebrations. It’s easy to make, full of comforting flavors, and truly keeps the spirit of Christmas alive in every jar. Give it a try—you might just find it becomes your new holiday tradition!

Spiced Christmas Jam Recipe

★★★★★

5.2 from 22 reviews

Author: Matteo
Total Time: 12 hours 35 minutes
Yield: About 6 half-pint jars 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

This Spiced Christmas Jam is a festive and flavorful blend of strawberries and cranberries, enhanced with warm spices including cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and cloves. Sweetened with sugar and set with liquid fruit pectin, this jam captures the holiday spirit perfectly. Its bright red color and aromatic spices make it a wonderful addition to your holiday breakfast or a delicious gift for loved ones.

Ingredients

Scale

Fruits

1 1/2 pounds fresh or frozen strawberries (6 cups)
1/2 pound fresh or frozen cranberries (2 cups)

Sweeteners

2 1/2 pounds sugar (5 cups)

Spices

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Other

2 pouches liquid fruit pectin (Certo Brand, 2 pouches at 170mL)

Instructions

Puree the Fruits: Begin by pureeing the strawberries and cranberries in your food processor. It doesn’t matter if the berries are frozen or fresh; puree them either way, possibly in batches depending on your processor size. Transfer the pureed fruits to a large saucepan.
Add Sugar and Spices: Measure the sugar and spices (cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and cloves) and add them to the saucepan with the pureed fruit mixture.
Bring to a Boil: Over medium-high heat, bring the mixture to a full boil, ensuring the sugar fully dissolves and ingredients combine well.
Boil for One Minute: Once the mixture reaches a full boil where bubbles continue to form on top even while stirring, maintain the boil for one full minute to activate the thickening properties.
Add Fruit Pectin: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the liquid fruit pectin thoroughly. Return the pan to the heat source.
Second Boil: When the jam returns to a full rolling boil, boil for another full minute, stirring constantly to prevent sticking or burning. Remove from heat.
Skim Foam: Allow bubbling to settle, then use a spoon or ladle to skim off any foam that has formed on the surface and discard it for a clearer jam.
Jar the Jam: Ladle the hot jam into sterilized hot jars, leaving about 1/4 inch of headspace. Seal with warm, sterilized lids and finger-tighten the screw bands without applying pressure.
Process Jars: Submerge the jars in a water bath canner ensuring the water covers the jars by at least two inches. Bring to a boil, cover, and boil for 10 minutes to properly seal and preserve the jam.
Cool and Store: Remove jars carefully and place on a heat-proof surface. Let cool and set undisturbed for 12 hours. Wipe jars clean, label, and store in a cool, dark cabinet.

Notes

Frozen berries can be used directly without thawing to save time and retain flavor.
Ensure jars, lids, and canning utensils are sterilized to prevent spoilage.
Use finger-tight pressure on jar bands to allow for proper sealing during processing.
Skimming foam off results in a clearer, more visually appealing jam.
Use Certo brand or similar liquid fruit pectin for best thickening results.
Jam must be processed in a boiling water bath to preserve and safely store.
Allow jam to cure for the full 12 hours before refrigerating or shelving.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Jam/Preserve
Method: Boiling water bath canning
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 tablespoons (about 40g)
Calories: 110
Sugar: 28g
Sodium: 5mg
Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 29g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: Christmas jam, spiced strawberry cranberry jam, holiday preserves, fruit pectin jam, homemade jam, holiday recipe, fruit preserves, sweet jam