This spiced Christmas jam is more than just a spread; it’s a jar of festive cheer, bursting with warm spices and fruity goodness, perfect for gifting or elevating your holiday baked goods. Its simplicity and incredible flavor make it an indispensable addition to your holiday season, offering a homemade touch that store-bought simply can’t match. Get ready to embrace the fragrant aroma and irresistible taste of this essential holiday preserve.
Key Ingredients for Spiced Christmas Jam
- 2 lbs (approx. 900g) mixed berries (such as cranberries, raspberries, and blueberries, fresh or frozen)
- 1 ½ cups (approx. 300g) granulated sugar (adjust to taste depending on fruit sweetness)
- 1/2 cup (120ml) water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: 1/4 cup chopped candied orange peel or slivered almonds for added texture and flavor
How to Make Spiced Christmas Jam
Whip up a batch of this easy-to-make spiced Christmas jam in under an hour! Its simple cooking process belies an incredibly rich and complex flavor profile, making it a satisfying treat for both yourself and your loved ones. The combination of sweet berries and warming festive spices creates a truly magical aroma and taste that screams the holidays.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Fruit: If using fresh berries, gently wash and pat them dry. If using frozen berries, you can use them directly from the freezer; no need to thaw. Remove any stems or hulls from the berries.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven, combine the prepared mixed berries, granulated sugar, water, and lemon juice. Stir gently to combine.
- Add Spices and Salt: Sprinkle in the ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. These spices are the heart of our spiced Christmas jam, infusing it with that quintessential holiday warmth.
- Bring to a Boil: Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a rolling boil, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Be careful as the jam can bubble up enthusiastically.
- Simmer and Thicken: Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let the jam simmer gently. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and scorching on the bottom of the pot. The jam will start to thicken as it cooks. This process typically takes about 30-45 minutes.
- Test for Set: To check if the jam has reached its setting point, you can use the spoon test. Dip a cold spoon into the jam, lift it out, and let the jam drip back into the pot. If the drips are thick and cling to the spoon, or if the surface wrinkles when you push it with your finger, it’s ready. Alternatively, place a small amount of jam on a chilled saucer and see if it gels within a minute.
- Add Optional Mix-ins (if using): If you’re adding candied orange peel or slivered almonds, stir them in during the last 5 minutes of simmering.
- Skim Foam (Optional but Recommended): As the jam simmers, you may notice foam forming on the surface. You can skim this off with a spoon for a clearer, more appealing jam, though it doesn’t affect the taste.
- Jar the Jam: Once the jam has reached its desired consistency, carefully ladle it into clean, sterilized jars. Leave about ½ inch of headspace at the top of each jar. Wipe the rims clean with a damp cloth.
- Seal the Jars: For short-term storage or immediate gifting, simply screw on the lids tightly. For longer shelf stability, follow proper canning procedures (processing in a water bath) according to your local guidelines.
Why You’ll Love This Spiced Christmas Jam
You’ll absolutely adore this homemade spiced Christmas jam for its vibrant burst of seasonal flavors and its incredible versatility. Unlike thinner, less flavorful store-bought options, this jam offers a rich, thick texture packed with the comforting aroma of cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg, perfectly complementing the natural tartness of the berries. It’s also a wonderfully cost-effective way to add a luxurious touch to your holidays, saving you money compared to purchasing expensive gourmet jams.
This delightful jam is the perfect companion for your morning toast, a luscious filling for scones, or an irresistible glaze for roasted meats. Imagine the joy of gifting a jar of this homemade goodness to friends and family – it’s a truly thoughtful gesture. So, why wait? Gather your ingredients and experience the magic of creating your own spiced Christmas jam today – you might just find it becomes your new favorite holiday tradition!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Proper storage ensures your spiced Christmas jam remains fresh and delicious. Once cooled, refrigerate unopened jars for up to 3 weeks or opened jars for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, consider freezing the jam in freezer-safe containers or bags (leave some headspace as jam expands upon freezing) for up to 6 months. This homemade jam doesn’t require reheating in the traditional sense if you’re using it as a spread. If you’re incorporating it into a warm dish, gently heat it in a small saucepan over low heat until warmed through, stirring frequently.
Final Thoughts
This spiced Christmas jam is the perfect blend of festive flavors and homemade love, making it an ideal gift or personal indulgence. Encourage yourself to dive into this simple yet rewarding recipe and fill your home with the magical scents of the holidays. Happy jamming!
Read more also:
- Strawberry Vanilla Bean Jam Recipe
- No-Sugar Added Strawberry Jam
- Peach and Lavender Jam
- Canning Fruit Syrups Homemade Recipe
- Our Pinterest
Spiced Christmas Jam
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- If using fresh berries, gently wash and pat them dry. If using frozen berries, you can use them directly from the freezer; no need to thaw. Remove any stems or hulls from the berries.2 lbs mixed berries (such as cranberries, raspberries, and blueberries, fresh or frozen)
- In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven, combine the prepared mixed berries, granulated sugar, water, and lemon juice. Stir gently to combine.2 lbs mixed berries (such as cranberries, raspberries, and blueberries, fresh or frozen), 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, 1/2 cup water, 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Sprinkle in the ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, and a pinch of salt.1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves, 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg, Pinch salt
- Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a rolling boil, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Be careful as the jam can bubble up enthusiastically.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let the jam simmer gently. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and scorching on the bottom of the pot. The jam will start to thicken as it cooks. This process typically takes about 30-45 minutes.
- To check if the jam has reached its setting point, you can use the spoon test. Dip a cold spoon into the jam, lift it out, and let the jam drip back into the pot. If the drips are thick and cling to the spoon, or if the surface wrinkles when you push it with your finger, it’s ready. Alternatively, place a small amount of jam on a chilled saucer and see if it gels within a minute.
- If you’re adding candied orange peel or slivered almonds, stir them in during the last 5 minutes of simmering.1/4 cup chopped candied orange peel, 1/4 cup slivered almonds
- As the jam simmers, you may notice foam forming on the surface. You can skim this off with a spoon for a clearer, more appealing jam, though it doesn’t affect the taste.
- Once the jam has reached its desired consistency, carefully ladle it into clean, sterilized jars. Leave about ½ inch of headspace at the top of each jar. Wipe the rims clean with a damp cloth.
- For short-term storage or immediate gifting, simply screw on the lids tightly. For longer shelf stability, follow proper canning procedures (processing in a water bath) according to your local guidelines.