🛒 What You’ll Need: Pantry Staples, Maximum Joy
Grab these cozy ingredients—you probably already have most:
For the Jam:
2 cups (200g) fresh or frozen cranberries
2 cups (300g) fresh or frozen strawberries, hulled and halved
1 cup (240ml) unsweetened apple juice (adds natural pectin + sweetness)
Zest and juice of 1 medium orange (don’t skip the zest!)
2 cups (400g) granulated sugar (balances tartness, helps preserve)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground cloves
½ tsp ground nutmeg
1 (3 oz) pouch liquid fruit pectin (like Ball or Sure-Jell—key for setting!)
That’s it.
No gelatin. No corn syrup.
Just real food, cooked into brilliance.
💡 Pro tip: Use organic fruit when possible—it tastes brighter and preserves better.
🔥 How to Make It: Step-by-Step, Spoon-by-Spoon
Let’s cook this like we’re making edible confetti—one golden jar at a time.
Step 1: Simmer the Fruit
In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan:
Combine cranberries, strawberries, apple juice, orange zest, and orange juice.
Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
Cook 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fruit softens and berries break down.
👉 Use a potato masher or immersion blender to crush to your preferred texture—smooth or chunky!
Step 2: Add Sugar & Spices
Stir in sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
Return to a full rolling boil (one that doesn’t stop bubbling when stirred).
Boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Step 3: Add Pectin & Finish
Remove from heat.
Stir in entire pouch of liquid pectin for 30 seconds (don’t boil after adding!).
👉 This is what makes it set!
Step 4: Jar It Up
Ladle hot jam into sterilized jars, leaving ¼-inch headspace.
Wipe rims with a clean, damp cloth.
Place lids and bands on tightly.
🍽️ How to Store Your Christmas Jam
✅
Refrigerator
Up to
3 weeks
Cool completely, then refrigerate. Use clean spoons!
✅
Freezer
Up to
1 year
Use freezer-safe jars (leave extra headspace). Thaw in fridge.
✅
Water Bath Canning
Up to
1 year in pantry
Process jars in boiling water bath for 10 mins. Seal checks: lid should not flex.
👉 Label each jar with date and name—especially if gifting!
🎁 How to Gift It (And Make It Magical)
Turn your jam into a handmade holiday treasure:
✅ Tie with burlap ribbon, twine, or lace
✅ Add a tag: “Handmade with Love – Open & Share Joy”
✅ Pair with:
Mini wooden spoon
Brie & crackers
Hot cocoa mix in a jar
✅ Bundle three flavors for a “Holiday Trio”
Bonus: Kids love helping—let them decorate labels or stir the pot!
💡 Pro Tips for Next-Level Success
✅
Taste before pectin
Adjust sugar or spice now—can’t change after boiling!
✅
Use a wide pot
Faster evaporation = thicker jam
✅
Test set:
Chill a spoon, drop jam on it—if it wrinkles, it’s ready
Classic trick!
✅
Low-sugar option:
Use low-sugar pectin and reduce sugar to 1 cup
Still delicious!
✅
Add-ins:
Try a splash of vanilla, ginger, or brandy for flair
Festive upgrades!
🍽️ When to Serve These Golden Gems
🎄 Christmas breakfast with scones
🧀 New Year’s Eve cheese board
🎉 Winter brunches and tea parties
🫶 To someone who says, “I don’t eat jam” —watch them ask for seconds
Because once they taste that citrus-spice, berry-burst magic?
They’ll be converted.
❤️ Final Thought: Great Food Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
You don’t need 17 ingredients or a culinary degree to make something magical.
Sometimes, all it takes is:
A few handfuls of fruit
A sprinkle of spice
And the courage to say: “Today, I’m making memories.”
And when your partner says, “Did you buy this?”
Or your friend hugs you after tasting it…
You’ll know:
You didn’t just make jam.
You made love.