The COZY Spiced Christmas Jam

There is a powerful charm in the tradition of canning and preserving the flavors of the season and nothing captures the essence of Christmas quite like a jar of homemade jam. Forget the store-bought preserves; a beautiful jar of Spiced Christmas Jam filled with ruby-red fruit and warming spices is the ultimate gesture of holiday hospitality.

I find that many people hesitate to try canning believing the process is too complicated or dangerous. Yet with simple water bath canning techniques and careful measuring making jam can be a relaxing and deeply satisfying winter project.

This Spiced Christmas Jam recipe is the definitive guide to mastering this delicious seasonal treat. It perfectly balances the sweetness of strawberries with the tartness of cranberries while infusing the mixture with COZY spices like cinnamon and cloves and a hint of bright orange zest.

This recipe is a must-pin for anyone searching Christmas jam because it delivers a gourmet flavor profile using a reliable canning and preserving method. If you are looking for the BEST homemade holiday gift that will fill your home with wonderful aromas this simple recipe is your guaranteed winner.

Why You’ll Love This Spiced Christmas Jam

This recipe is a massive holiday success because it combines a familiar flavor base (strawberry) with unexpected festive complexity and is perfect for gifting.

• The COZY Aroma and Flavor The flavor blend of strawberry cranberry jam is perfectly balanced—sweet yet tangy. The addition of orange zest cinnamon and cloves ensures that the jam smells as wonderful as it tastes filling your kitchen with a COZY holiday comfort food aroma that immediately says “Christmas.”
• The BEST Homemade Holiday Gift A small jar of this Christmas jam tied with a ribbon makes an elegant and deeply personal gift. It’s perfect for neighbors teachers or as a quick hostess gift. Because it’s a make-ahead dessert item it streamlines your holiday to-do list allowing you to gift something truly special.
• Mastering Canning and Preserving This recipe is ideal for beginners to practice canning and preserving techniques. The high sugar content and acidity provided by the lemon juice ensure a reliable set and a long shelf life. This recipe is designed to walk you through every step from jar preparation to checking the final seal.
• Easy Freezer Alternative If you are not comfortable with canning you can easily freeze this jam. The Spiced Christmas Jam freezes beautifully for up to six months giving you the ULTIMATE flexibility to enjoy its delicious flavor well into the spring.

Ingredients and Instructions The Perfect Set

The key to this Spiced Christmas Jam is using the correct ratios of fruit sugar and pectin—especially given the tartness of the cranberries—to ensure a firm yet spreadable set.

Component	Quantity	Notes
Crushed Strawberries	40 ounces	Frozen unsweetened preferred (with juice)
Fresh Cranberries	1 pound	Fresh or frozen
Orange Zest	2 tablespoons	Zest of about 2 oranges
Bottled Lemon Juice	1/4 cup	Bottled is required for canning safety
Ground Cinnamon	1 teaspoon
Ground Cloves	1/4 teaspoon	Adds a warm spice note
Granulated Sugar	5 pounds	Yes 5 pounds not cups due to tartness
Liquid Fruit Pectin	2 (3 oz) pouches	Essential for setting the jam

• Wash and Warm Jars Wash all jars lids and bands in hot soapy water. Keep the clean jars simmering in the water bath canner to keep them warm and prevent cracking.
• Mix Fruit and Spices Combine the crushed strawberries cranberries and bottled lemon juice in a large deep stainless steel saucepan. Stir in the orange zest cinnamon and cloves.
• Add Sugar and Pectin Add all 5 pounds of sugar and both pouches of liquid pectin at once. Stir vigorously to prevent clumping.
• Boil Hard Bring the mixture to a full rolling boil—meaning the bubbles do not stop even when you stir. Start a timer and boil hard for exactly 1 minute stirring constantly to prevent the sugar from scorching.
• Skim and Fill Jars Remove from heat and skim any foam from the surface. Ladle the hot jam into the prepared warm jars leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Wipe the rims clean with a damp cloth place the lids on and screw the bands on fingertip-tight.
• Process and Seal Place the jars in the water bath canner ensuring they are covered by at least 1 inch of water. Bring to a boil and process for 10 minutes (adjusting for altitude if necessary). Remove the canner lid and let sit for 5 minutes before removing the jars.
• Cool and Check Seals Set the jars on a towel to cool undisturbed for 12-24 hours. Check the seals—the center of the lid should not pop when pressed.

Step by Step Mastering Canning and Preserving

The challenge with this Spiced Christmas Jam is ensuring a perfect seal and a firm set especially with the large volume of fruit and sugar. I learned that precise timing and temperature are critical.

Here is the detailed human-written guide to mastering this spectacular homemade holiday gift recipe:

• Use Bottled Lemon Juice for Safety When canning it is vital to use bottled lemon juice not fresh. Bottled juice has a standardized acidity level which is necessary to ensure the jam is acidic enough to prevent bacterial growth and achieve a safe seal during processing.
• Crush All the Fruit To get the BEST jam texture crush both the strawberries and the cranberries. Crushing the cranberries helps them release their natural pectin and blend seamlessly with the strawberries. You can use a potato masher or briefly pulse them in a food processor.
• The Rolling Boil Timer The 1-minute hard boil is the most important step for setting the jam. Pectin requires high heat and a specific amount of time to properly activate. Watch the clock and do not stop stirring during that crucial minute to prevent burning the sugar on the bottom.
• Wipe the Rims Clean Before placing the lids on meticulously wipe the jar rims clean of any jam residue. Even a tiny bit of sticky sugar can prevent the lid from creating a vacuum seal leading to an unsealed jar.
• Freezing Jam (The Easy Way) If skipping the water bath canning step let the jam cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers. Leave 1/2 inch of headspace in the container because the jam will expand when frozen. Frozen jam is a simple make-ahead dessert option.

Variations Serving and Storage Tips

This core Spiced Christmas Jam recipe is a stunning homemade holiday gift that can be enjoyed in many ways throughout the winter.

Delicious Variations to Try

• Gingerbread Jam Add 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger and a pinch of ground allspice along with the other spices for a deeper COZY gingerbread treats flavor.
• Brandy or Bourbon Stir 1 tablespoon of brandy or bourbon into the finished jam after boiling and before filling the jars (only if you are freezing or refrigerating and not water bath canning).
• Low Sugar Option If you are concerned about the sugar level you must use a specialized low-sugar pectin (like Pomona’s Universal Pectin) and follow its instructions for adding the sugar substitute. The standard recipe needs the sugar for both flavor and preservation.
• Cranberry Orange Focus Increase the orange zest to 3 tablespoons and add 1/4 cup of fresh orange juice for an intense citrus BRIGHT flavor.

Serving Suggestions

This delicious jam is perfect for:

• Holiday Breakfast Serve slathered generously on warm biscuits scones or toast.
• Charcuterie Board Add a small bowl to your holiday charcuterie board alongside soft cheeses like brie or goat cheese.
• Baking Filling Use as a filling for jam thumbprint cookies holiday layer cakes or simple jam tarts.

Storage and Recipe Notes

Item	Details
Shelf Life Canned	Up to 1 year stored in a cool dark pantry
Refrigeration	Once opened store in the fridge and use within 3 weeks
Freezing Life	Up to 6 months in freezer-safe containers
Yield	Makes approximately 8 half-pints (4 pints)

Conclusion Your Most COZY Christmas Jam

The Spiced Christmas Jam recipe is the perfect blend of complex delicious flavor and the satisfying tradition of preserving. It’s the BEST homemade holiday gift that guarantees a COZY holiday comfort food experience every time.

By mastering this simple canning and preserving technique you ensure your holiday season is filled with beautiful handmade gifts and wonderful aromas.

Pin this Christmas jam recipe today and enjoy the BEST COZY Spiced Christmas Jam