Good morning, friends! Welcome back to the kitchen. Today, we're whipping up a sweet and slightly spicy treat that's perfect for the holidays — Christmas Jam with a little extra kick! If you have cranberries tucked away in the freezer and love making homemade gifts, you’ll want to save this recipe.
Let’s dive into how you can make your own Christmas Jam, plus a few tips to customize it just the way you like.
Why You'll Love This Homemade Christmas Jam
Perfect for gifting during the holidays.
Uses frozen cranberries — great for cleaning out the freezer!
Customizable with your favorite peppers for a spicy twist.
Simple ingredients: strawberries, cranberries, sugar, and Sure-Jell.
This jam is not only festive but also incredibly versatile. Whether you spoon it over cream cheese or spread it on hot cornbread, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients for Christmas Jam
Here’s what you’ll need:
3 cups crushed strawberries (fresh or thawed from frozen)
2 cups crushed cranberries (fresh or thawed)
7 cups of sugar
1 box Sure-Jell fruit pectin
Optional: diced jalapeños, Hatch peppers, or your favorite mild peppers for a little heat.
Tip: If you like a bit of spice, you can crush dried Hatch peppers like I did, or finely chop seeded jalapeños or serranos.
Step-by-Step Christmas Jam Recipe
1. Prepare Your Fruit
First, blend your strawberries and cranberries in a food processor. Leave the mixture a little chunky — you want some nice fruit pieces in your jam!
Pro Tip: You can process extra fruit and measure out exactly what you need.
2. Get Your Canning Supplies Ready
Wash and sterilize your jars. Keep them warm in a 200°F oven.
Simmer your lids in hot water (not boiling) to soften the seals.
Set up your water bath canner and start heating the water.
3. Cook the Jam
In a large pot, combine the crushed strawberries and cranberries.
Add the box of Sure-Jell and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring frequently.
Once boiling, stir in the 7 cups of sugar all at once.
Bring the jam back to a full rolling boil (one that you can’t stir down) and boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
If you’re adding peppers for a spicy version, toss them in with the fruit!
Note: Be careful — jam splatters are HOT!
4. Jar and Process Your Jam
Ladle the hot jam into sterilized half-pint jars, leaving about ½ inch of headspace.
Wipe the jar rims with vinegar water to ensure a good seal.
Apply the lids and rings, tightening to fingertip tight.
Process the jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
After processing, set your jars on a towel and let them cool undisturbed overnight.
How Much Jam Will This Make?
This batch yielded:
10 half-pints
1 almost full pint jar
Perfect for gifts, holiday gatherings, or treating yourself on a cozy winter morning.
Serving Ideas for Christmas Jam
Spread over warm cornbread with butter — a true Southern treat!
Serve with cream cheese and crackers for a quick holiday appetizer.
Spoon over pancakes, waffles, or biscuits for a sweet surprise.
Add a little to baked goods or thumbprint cookies for festive flavor.
And remember, if gatherings are smaller this year, make a special night for your family — any day can be a party day when you open a jar of homemade jam!
Customize Your Christmas Jam
If you love a little heat, you can easily adapt this recipe:
Add 3 finely chopped, seeded jalapeños.
Or crush in some dried Hatch peppers for a smoky bite.
Prefer no spice? Stick to the traditional version — it's delicious either way!
Homemade jam is all about making it your own.
Final Thoughts
Making homemade Christmas Jam is not just about filling your pantry — it’s about making sweet memories with your loved ones. Whether you’re gifting jars to friends, saving them for cozy family breakfasts, or keeping a few stashed for emergencies, this recipe is a keeper.
Thank you for joining me in the kitchen today. Be sure to stock your pantry whenever you can — storms and unexpected events can pop up, and you’ll be thankful for those jars of homemade goodness.
Until next time, God bless you and happy canning! ??
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