Christmas Cranberry-Strawberry Crockpot Jam Recipe
Introduction
This Christmas Jam Crockpot Recipe brings together tart cranberries and sweet strawberries for a festive and flavorful homemade jam. Slow-cooked with warm spices, it’s perfect for spreading on toast or gifting during the holiday season.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds cranberries, fresh or frozen
- 1 ½ pounds strawberries, fresh or frozen
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 ¼ cups light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- Optional: zest of one orange or 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Add cranberries, strawberries, both sugars, and spices to the crockpot. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
- Step 2: Cover the crockpot and cook on high for four hours, stirring once halfway through the cooking time.
- Step 3: Once cooked, blend the hot mixture using an immersion blender or transfer in batches to a countertop blender. Pulse just two to three times to achieve a jam-like texture.
- Step 4: Ladle the hot jam into clean jars. Wipe the rims to ensure they are clean and secure the lids lightly. Let the jars cool at room temperature.
- Step 5: Refrigerate the jam overnight before using to let the flavors develop fully.
Tips & Variations
- For added brightness, stir in the zest of one orange or a tablespoon of lemon juice before cooking.
- Adjust the sugar amount to taste if you prefer a less sweet jam.
- Use fresh or frozen fruit depending on the season; frozen fruit works well and saves prep time.
- Blend less for chunky jam or more for a smoother spread.
Storage
Store the jam in tightly sealed jars in the refrigerator for up to three weeks. Reheat gently in a microwave or on the stove if desired before serving. For longer storage, consider freezing the jam in airtight containers.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use only cranberries or only strawberries?
Yes, you can make the jam with just cranberries or just strawberries, but the combination balances tartness and sweetness for the best flavor.
Do I need to sterilize the jars before filling?
For short-term refrigerator storage, clean jars are sufficient. If you plan to preserve the jam long-term, sterilize the jars to ensure food safety.
PrintChristmas Cranberry-Strawberry Crockpot Jam Recipe
This festive Christmas Jam Crockpot Recipe combines tart cranberries and sweet strawberries with warm spices like allspice, cinnamon, and ginger. Slow-cooked to perfection in a crockpot, it yields a delicious, slightly chunky jam that’s perfect for holiday breakfasts, gifting, or adding a seasonal touch to your desserts.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 4 cups of jam (about 2 standard 8 oz jars) 1x
- Category: Jam
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Fruit
- 1 ½ pounds cranberries, fresh or frozen
- 1 ½ pounds strawberries, fresh or frozen
Sugars
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 ¼ cups light brown sugar
Spices
- 2 teaspoons ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
Optional
- Zest of one orange or 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Add cranberries, strawberries, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, ground allspice, cinnamon, and ginger into the crockpot. Stir gently to fully incorporate all ingredients.
- Cook the Jam: Cover the crockpot and set it to cook on high heat for four hours. Halfway through the cooking time, stir the mixture once to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.
- Blend the Mixture: Once cooked, use an immersion blender directly in the crockpot or transfer the mixture in batches to a countertop blender. Pulse two to three times to achieve a jam-like texture with some fruit chunks remaining.
- Jar the Jam: Ladle the hot jam into clean sterilized jars. Wipe the rims to remove any residue, then lightly secure the lids to allow some air to escape as the jam cools.
- Cool and Store: Let the jars cool to room temperature. Once cooled, refrigerate overnight to allow the jam to set properly before serving or gifting.
Notes
- For a citrusy twist, add orange zest or lemon juice to brighten the flavor.
- Use fresh or frozen berries without thawing; the cooking time remains the same.
- Make sure jars are properly cleaned to ensure preservation and avoid spoilage.
- This jam keeps well refrigerated for up to two weeks.
- Adjust sugar quantities to taste if you prefer a less sweet jam.
Keywords: Christmas jam, crockpot jam, cranberry jam, strawberry jam, slow cooked jam, holiday recipes
