Homemade Christmas Jam
Few things capture the warmth and magic of the holiday season quite like a spoonful of Homemade Christmas Jam. This festive spread blends cranberries, strawberries, citrus zest, and cozy spices into a jewel-toned jam bursting with holiday flavor. Sweet, tart, bright, and lightly spiced, it tastes like Christmas morning in a jar.
Whether you’re making holiday breakfast extra special or preparing thoughtful homemade gifts for neighbors, teachers, friends, or family, this Christmas Jam is the perfect choice. It spreads beautifully on toast, biscuits, pancakes, waffles, and scones. It also works wonderfully as a glaze for roasts or a topping for cheesecake and ice cream.
This recipe is simple, beginner-friendly, and requires only basic ingredients. Cranberries bring natural tartness and the signature bright red color, while strawberries (or raspberries) add sweetness and balance. Orange zest, lemon juice, cinnamon, and cloves add classic holiday warmth. When simmered together, the result is a jam that tastes nostalgic, cheerful, and irresistibly bright.
Below is your complete breakdown: ingredients, steps, tips, flavor variations, serving ideas, and your fully customized recipe JSON.
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Jam
- Festive flavor combo of cranberry, citrus, warming spices, and berries
- Perfect for gifting — fills jars beautifully
- Easy to make — no canning experience required
- Versatile uses from breakfast spreads to dessert toppings
- Naturally vibrant color without food coloring
- Holiday aroma that fills your kitchen while it simmers
Ingredients
For the Christmas Jam
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 2 cups strawberries (fresh or frozen)
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 1 tbsp orange juice
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 cup water
Optional Add-Ins
- Extra citrus zest
- A splash of vanilla
- A pinch of nutmeg
- Fresh grated ginger
Instructions
- Rinse and drain cranberries and strawberries.
- Add cranberries, strawberries, sugar, water, orange zest, orange juice, and lemon juice to a saucepan.
- Heat over medium until sugar dissolves and berries begin to soften.
- Add cinnamon and cloves; stir well.
- Bring mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer.
- Cook 12–15 minutes, stirring often, until berries burst and mixture thickens.
- Mash lightly with a fork or potato masher for smoother texture, or leave chunky.
- Simmer additional 5 minutes if jam seems thin — it thickens more as it cools.
- Remove from heat and let cool 10–15 minutes.
- Transfer jam to jars and cool completely before refrigerating.
- Store up to 2–3 weeks in the fridge or freeze up to 3 months.
Homemade Christmas Jam
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Combine cranberries, strawberries, sugar, water, orange zest, orange juice, and lemon juice in a saucepan.
- Heat until sugar dissolves and berries soften.
- Add cinnamon and cloves; stir well.
- Bring to a gentle boil, then simmer 12–15 minutes until thickened.
- Mash lightly for smoother texture.
- Cool 10–15 minutes, then transfer to jars.
- Store refrigerated for up to 3 weeks or freeze up to 3 months.
Notes
Tips for Perfect Christmas Jam
- Use a wide saucepan for faster thickening.
- Don’t overcook — jam thickens as it cools.
- Frozen berries work great and cut down prep time.
- Taste and adjust sweetness — cranberries vary in tartness.
- Use a microplane for fine citrus zest that blends perfectly.
- Blend the jam with an immersion blender for a smoother texture.
Variations
- Raspberry Christmas Jam – swap strawberries for raspberries.
- Cran-Orange Jam – reduce strawberries and double orange zest.
- Spiced Holiday Jam – add nutmeg, ginger, or cardamom.
- Vanilla Christmas Jam – stir in vanilla after removing from heat.
- Mixed Berry Jam – use a blend of strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries.
Serving Suggestions
Use Homemade Christmas Jam on:
- Toast, biscuits, rolls
- Pancakes, waffles, French toast
- Cream cheese + crackers
- Yogurt or cottage cheese bowls
- Ice cream, cheesecake, pound cake
- As a glaze for pork or chicken
- In thumbprint cookies
This jam also makes excellent edible gifts when poured into small decorative jars.
Fun Fact
Cranberries have long been associated with holiday feasts in North America. Their natural tartness and color make them a perfect base for festive preserves — and when paired with strawberries and warm spices, they create a classic holiday jam that feels timeless.
