This Christmas jam crockpot recipe is your secret weapon for spreading holiday cheer (literally!). Making rich, festive jam in your slow cooker is incredibly easy, allowing you to create personalized gifts or stock your pantry with a delicious taste of the season.
Key Ingredients for Christmas Jam Crockpot
Here’s everything you’ll need to create this delightful Christmas jam crockpot:
- 2 lbs (approx. 6 cups) Fresh or Frozen Cranberries: Rinsed and picked over. If using frozen, no need to thaw.
- 2 Large Oranges: Zest of both, and juice of one.
- 2 Green Apples: Peeled, cored, and finely diced (about 2 cups). Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well for tartness and texture.
- 1 ½ cups Granulated Sugar: Adjust to your sweetness preference.
- ½ cup Brown Sugar (packed): Adds depth and a hint of caramel.
- ½ cup Water: To help with the initial cooking process.
- 2 Cinnamon Sticks: For warm, aromatic spice.
- 1 inch Fresh Ginger: Peeled and finely grated or minced.
- ¼ teaspoon Ground Cloves: A little goes a long way for classic holiday flavor.
- Pinch of Salt: To balance the sweetness and enhance flavors.
- 1 packet (1.75 oz) Liquid Pectin: Or 2 tablespoons powdered pectin, dissolved as per package directions if using powdered. This is crucial for proper jam set.
How to Make Christmas Jam Crockpot
Get ready to effortlessly create a vibrant, flavorful Christmas jam crockpot that tastes like pure holiday magic! Its simplicity lies in letting your slow cooker do all the hard work, resulting in a perfectly textured jam with minimal effort. This recipe is incredibly satisfying, showcasing bright fruit and warming spices that will make your kitchen smell amazing, all while only requiring about 15 minutes of active preparation time.
● Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Prepare Your Fruit: In a large bowl, combine the cranberries, finely diced apples, orange zest, and orange juice. Give it a good stir to evenly distribute the flavors.
- Combine Ingredients in Crockpot: Transfer the fruit mixture to your slow cooker. Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, water, cinnamon sticks, grated ginger, ground cloves, and pinch of salt. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours. The cooking time will vary depending on your slow cooker. You’re looking for the cranberries to burst, the apples to soften, and the mixture to thicken. Stir occasionally, especially during the last hour, to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Remove Spices & Mash (Optional): Once the jam has reached your desired consistency, carefully remove the cinnamon sticks. If you prefer a smoother jam, use a potato masher or an immersion blender (carefully) directly in the crockpot to break down the fruit further. For a chunkier jam, skip this step or mash lightly.
- Add Pectin: This is the critical step for setting. If using liquid pectin, stir it directly into the hot jam. If using powdered pectin, ensure it’s dissolved in a small amount of warm water first (as per package instructions) before stirring into the jam. Stir vigorously for 1-2 minutes to fully incorporate the pectin.
- Test for Set: To check if your jam will set, place a small spoonful of hot jam on a chilled plate. Let it cool for a minute, then push your finger through it. If it wrinkles, it’s ready! If not, continue to cook on HIGH for another 15-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, and re-test.
- Jarring: Carefully ladle the hot jam into sterilized jars, leaving about 1/4 inch headspace. Wipe the rims clean, apply lids, and screw on bands until fingertip tight.
- Process (Optional for Shelf Stability): For shelf-stable jam, process the filled jars in a boiling water canner for 10 minutes (adjusting for altitude as necessary). If not processing, store the jam in the refrigerator.
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Jam Crockpot
You’ll adore this Christmas jam crockpot for its unparalleled ability to bring the festive spirit directly to your table with minimal effort. The main feature here is the incredible symphony of bold cranberry, sweet apple, and aromatic holiday spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, all slow-cooked to perfection. This isn’t just a spread; it’s a jarred celebration, far superior to anything store-bought, offering a genuinely homemade touch that screams “happy holidays.”
Beyond its deliciousness, making this jam at home is a significant cost-saver, especially when you need multiple batches for gifts or holiday gatherings. The rich, vibrant flavors of fresh fruit and meticulously chosen spices truly set it apart, making it more dynamic and flavorful than a simple cranberry sauce. Think of it as a more sophisticated, spoonable cranberry experience. It’s significantly easier than traditional stovetop jam making, and yields a larger batch, perfect for sharing. We urge you to skip the supermarket jam isle this year and try this delightful recipe; your taste buds (and wallet) will thank you!
What to Serve Christmas Jam Crockpot With
This versatile Christmas jam crockpot is the ultimate holiday spread, and it pairs beautifully with an array of dishes. For breakfast or brunch, slather it generously on warm, buttered toast, fluffy biscuits, scones, or even a stack of pancakes or waffles. It also makes an exceptional topping for yogurt or oatmeal, instantly elevating your morning meal.
Beyond breakfast, consider it a gourmet accompaniment to your holiday cheese board, offering a bright, sweet, and tangy counterpoint to creamy brie, sharp cheddar, or goat cheese. It’s fantastic alongside roasted meats like turkey, pork loin, or even ham, providing a festive alternative to traditional fruit sauces. Don’t forget to mix a spoonful into cocktails for a festive twist, or swirl it into plain cream cheese for a delectable dip. A warm mug of spiced cider or a robust black tea makes the perfect drink pairing.
Top Tips for Perfecting Christmas Jam Crockpot
To ensure your Christmas jam crockpot is absolutely perfect every time, keep these valuable tips in mind. Firstly, while the recipe calls for liquid pectin, read the package directions carefully – some require adding it to boiling liquid, making the powdered form (dissolved in a small amount of warm water first) easier to incorporate into the Crockpot without overcooking. If you prefer a less sweet jam, you can reduce the granulated sugar by up to ½ cup, but be aware that sugar can also aid in the setting process and acts as a preservative. For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a splash of orange liqueur or rum at the very end of cooking, just before jarring, for an adult twist.
Don’t be afraid to adjust the spices; if you love ginger, add a little more! Conversely, if cloves aren’t your favorite, reduce them. A common mistake is not cooking the jam long enough before adding pectin, which results in a runny jam. Make sure the fruit mixture has visibly thickened and the fruit is completely broken down before the pectin goes in. Another tip for setting: don’t rush the chill plate test. Allow the small dollop of jam to truly cool down before checking its consistency, as it thickens significantly as it cools.
Storing and Reheating Tips
Proper storage is key to enjoying your homemade Christmas jam crockpot for weeks or even months. If you processed your jars in a boiling water canner, sealed jars can be stored in a cool, dark pantry for up to 1 year. Once opened, or if you didn’t process them, the jam should be stored in the refrigerator, where it will stay fresh for up to 3-4 weeks. To store it in the refrigerator, ensure the jam has cooled completely before covering the jars with lids.
For longer-term storage beyond refrigerating, you can freeze the jam. Ladle cooled jam into freezer-safe containers or jars (leaving at least ½ inch headspace to allow for expansion) and freeze for up to 6 months. To reheat frozen jam, simply thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. If you prefer it warm, gently heat a portion in a small saucepan over low heat until it reaches your desired temperature, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. Avoid microwaving jars directly from the freezer, as temperature shocks can cause glass to break. Instead, microwave small, individual portions of thawed jam in a microwave-safe bowl.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas jam crockpot offers a delightful,fuss-free way to infuse your home with the joyous flavors of the holiday season. Give this recipe a try; you’ll be amazed at how easily you can create such a delicious and heartwarming treat to share or savor all your own.
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Christmas Jam Crockpot FAQs
Q1: Can I make this Christmas jam crockpot without pectin?
A1: While possible, getting a firm set without pectin is much harder and often requires significantly longer cooking times, which can lead to a darker, less fresh-tasting jam and risks scorching. Pectin is highly recommended for the best texture and consistency.
Q2: What if my jam doesn’t set after adding pectin?
A2: Don’t panic! This can happen if the fruit wasn’t cooked long enough or if the pectin wasn’t properly incorporated. You can try reheating the jam gently, ensuring it comes to a rolling boil for 1-2 minutes, and then re-testing. Some also suggest adding a bit more pectin (dissolved properly) if you cooked it for a while after the initial pectin addition. Also, remember that jam takes time to set; check again after a day in the fridge.
Q3: Can I use other fruits in this Christmas jam crockpot recipe?
A3: Absolutely! While cranberries and apples are classic, feel free to experiment. Pears, pomegranate seeds, or even a small amount of dried apricots rehydrated in apple juice could be interesting additions, but be mindful that altering the fruit ratios might affect the pectin’s ability to set, so start small.
Q4: How long does it take for the jam to cool and fully set?
A4: While the jam will thicken as it cools, it typically takes 12-24 hours for it to fully set to its final consistency once bottled and refrigerated. Don’t judge the final set too quickly!
Q5: Is it safe to skip the boiling water bath canning process?
A5: Skipping the boiling water bath means your jam will not be shelf-stable. It must be stored in the refrigerator and consumed within 3-4 weeks, or frozen for longer storage. The canning process creates a vacuum seal that makes the jam shelf-stable.
Christmas Jam Crockpot
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Combine frozen cranberries, diced strawberries, diced apple, granulated sugar, orange juice, cinnamon, ground cloves, and nutmeg in a 6-quart or larger crockpot. Stir well to combine.2 lbs frozen cranberries, 2 cups diced strawberries, 1 cup diced apple, 3 cups granulated sugar, 1/2 cup orange juice, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground cloves, 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- Cover and cook on low for 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
- After 3 hours, remove the lid and use a potato masher or immersion blender to mash the fruit to your desired consistency. For a smoother jam, blend longer; for a chunkier jam, mash less.
- Stir in the lemon juice. Continue to cook uncovered on low for another 30-60 minutes, or until the jam reaches your desired thickness. The jam will thicken further as it cools.1 tbsp lemon juice
- Carefully ladle the hot jam into sterilized jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Seal with lids and rings. Process in a boiling water bath if desired for longer storage, or refrigerate immediately for up to 3 weeks.