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The short answer: Christmas jam is a sweet, spiced strawberry and cranberry jam flavored with cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. It takes about 30 minutes to make with frozen fruit, makes about 7 to 8 half-pint jars and keeps about 3 weeks in the fridge or up to a year in the freezer, which makes it one of the easiest homemade Christmas gifts.
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Below is the Christmas jam recipe, a step-by-step method, gift ideas and safe storage tips.
Budget your homemade gifts with the Christmas Budget & Gift Planner ($4.99), so jars, labels and ribbon don't sneak past your plan.
Christmas jam ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Strawberries, crushed | 4 cups | Fresh or frozen and thawed (about 2 pounds whole) |
| Cranberries, finely chopped | 2 cups | About one 12-ounce bag |
| Lemon juice | 2 tablespoons | Bottled is fine |
| Powdered fruit pectin | 1 box (1.75 oz) | Regular pectin, not low-sugar |
| Granulated sugar | 7 cups | Measure exactly |
| Ground cinnamon | 1 teaspoon | |
| Ground cloves | 1/4 teaspoon | |
| Ground nutmeg | 1/4 teaspoon | |
| Butter | 1/2 teaspoon | Optional, reduces foam |
Pectin brands differ, so check the sugar amount on your box and follow the box when it disagrees with any recipe online.
How to make Christmas jam
- Prep the jars. Wash 8 half-pint jars and lids in hot soapy water and keep them warm.
- Prep the fruit. Crush the strawberries with a potato masher and pulse the cranberries in a food processor until finely chopped. Measure exactly.
- Cook the fruit. Put the fruit, lemon juice, spices and pectin in a large, deep pot. Add the butter if using.
- Boil. Bring it to a full rolling boil that doesn't stop when you stir, over high heat.
- Add the sugar. Stir in all the sugar at once and bring it back to a full rolling boil. Boil for exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Fill the jars. Turn off the heat, skim the foam and ladle the jam into the jars, leaving about 1/2 inch at the top for freezer jars. Wipe the rims and add lids.
- Cool and store. Let the jars cool, then refrigerate or freeze. The jam firms up over 24 hours.
Fridge, freezer or canned?
| Storage | How long | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | About 3 weeks | Cool, cover and refrigerate |
| Freezer | Up to 1 year | Leave headspace, freeze in freezer-safe jars |
| Shelf (canned) | Per the tested recipe | Use a tested recipe and boiling water bath |
The recipe above is a fridge and freezer jam. If you want jars that sit on a shelf, follow a tested recipe and processing time from the National Center for Home Food Preservation's jam and jelly guide. Their jam and jelly resources include freezer jam recipes too.
Tips for Christmas jam that sets
- Measure exactly. Jam with pectin depends on the right ratio of fruit, sugar and acid.
- Don't double the batch. Make two batches instead. A double batch often stays runny.
- Use a big pot. Jam foams and climbs as it boils, so use a pot at least 6 quarts.
- Wait a day. Some jams take 24 to 48 hours to set fully, so don't judge it while it's warm.
- Fix a runny batch. Use it as a syrup over pancakes or ice cream, or recook it with more pectin following the pectin box directions.
Christmas jam variations
- Orange cranberry: add the zest of one orange with the fruit.
- Raspberry Christmas jam: swap half the strawberries for raspberries.
- Less spice: use only cinnamon for a milder jam.
- Vanilla: stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract after boiling.
How to give Christmas jam as a gift
- Add a tag with the name, the date made and "Keep refrigerated, use within 3 weeks" or "Keep frozen."
- Top the lid with a circle of fabric or kraft paper and twine.
- Build a small basket with jam, crackers, a soft cheese and a spreader. See our Christmas gift basket ideas.
- Pair it with cookies. Jam and a Christmas cookie box make a neighbor gift.
As the oldest of three, I was always the one keeping the family plans together, and homemade gifts go best when they're on the list early with their supplies.
Plan your homemade Christmas gifts
- Christmas Budget & Gift Planner ($4.99): track every name, gift and cost, including jars, labels and ribbon.
- Holiday Season Bundle ($15.99, regularly $25.94 when bought separately): holiday planning printables together in one bundle.
- Family Recipe Binder ($6.99): save your Christmas jam recipe for next year.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Christmas jam? Christmas jam is a sweet, spiced jam made from strawberries and cranberries with warm spices like cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. It's red, festive and a popular homemade holiday gift.
What is Christmas jam made of? Christmas jam is made of crushed strawberries, chopped cranberries, sugar, fruit pectin, lemon juice and ground cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Some versions add orange zest or a little almond extract.
Can I use frozen strawberries and cranberries for Christmas jam? Yes, frozen strawberries and cranberries work well for Christmas jam, which is why it's easy to make in December. Thaw the fruit, keep the juice and measure it after crushing.
How long does homemade Christmas jam last? Homemade Christmas jam that isn't canned lasts about 3 weeks in the refrigerator and up to a year in the freezer. Jam that will sit on a shelf must be made from a tested recipe and processed in a boiling water bath.
Can I give Christmas jam as a gift? Yes, Christmas jam makes a great gift. If it isn't canned, add a tag that says to keep it refrigerated and use it within 3 weeks, or freeze it. Pair it with crackers, biscuits or a loaf of bread for a small gift basket.
Do I have to can Christmas jam? No, you don't have to can Christmas jam if you keep it in the fridge or freezer. Canning is only needed for jars stored at room temperature, and then you should follow a tested recipe from a trusted source like the National Center for Home Food Preservation.
Why didn't my Christmas jam set? Christmas jam usually fails to set because the fruit or sugar was not measured exactly, the pectin was the wrong type, or it wasn't brought to a full rolling boil for the full time. Don't double a pectin recipe, since large batches often don't set.
Can I make Christmas jam with less sugar? Yes, but use a pectin made for low or no sugar and follow the directions on that box. Regular pectin needs the full amount of sugar to set.
What do you eat Christmas jam with? Eat Christmas jam on toast, biscuits, scones and English muffins, swirl it into yogurt or oatmeal, spoon it over brie or cream cheese for an easy appetizer, or use it in thumbprint cookies.
How many jars does one batch of Christmas jam make? One batch of this Christmas jam recipe makes about 7 to 8 half-pint (8-ounce) jars, enough for a handful of gifts plus one to keep.
How do I budget for homemade Christmas gifts like jam? List each person, the gift and its cost, then add supplies like jars, labels and ribbon. The Christmas Budget & Gift Planner ($4.99) from HomeBase Paper Co. tracks every name, gift and amount so homemade gifts stay on budget.
Where should I save my Christmas jam recipe? Save it in the Family Recipe Binder ($6.99) from HomeBase Paper Co., a fillable printable with recipe pages, so your holiday recipes are ready every December.
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