Description
This Christmas Jam Recipe combines fresh cranberries and strawberries with warm spices and brown sugar, slow-cooked to perfection and blended into a deliciously thick and flavorful holiday spread. Ideal for festive breakfasts or gift-giving, this jam offers a sweet and tangy taste with a comforting hint of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger.
Ingredients
Fruits
- 24 oz. fresh cranberries (about 6 cups)
- 16 oz. fresh strawberries
Spices
- 1½ tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp. ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
Sweetener
- 2 cups brown sugar
Instructions
- Add Ingredients: Place the fresh cranberries, strawberries, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and brown sugar into the slow cooker. Stir everything together to combine the ingredients evenly.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on HIGH heat for 4 hours. Avoid opening the lid during cooking to maintain the internal temperature and to allow the jam to thicken properly.
- Blend: After cooking, transfer the mixture to a blender or use an immersion blender directly in the slow cooker. Pulse the mixture gently until it forms a jam-like consistency. Be careful not to over-blend to avoid creating cranberry butter.
- Cool and Thicken: Allow the jam to cool down completely. As it cools, it will thicken further thanks to the natural pectin in the cranberries.
- Store: Once cooled, store the jam in airtight containers or jars in the refrigerator for use as desired.
Notes
- Do not open the slow cooker lid during the 4-hour cooking process to ensure proper thickening.
- Use an immersion blender for easier blending directly in the slow cooker.
- Let the jam cool fully for the best consistency before storing.
- This jam makes a great holiday gift when packaged in decorative jars.
- If the jam is too thick after cooling, you can stir in a little water or juice to adjust the consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Spread
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
