Christmas Jam (Cranberry Orange, Small Batch)
By Emily Carter ·
Published
Quick answer
Simmer fresh cranberries with sugar, orange juice and zest, cinnamon and a clove for about 20 minutes, until the berries burst and the jam sheets off a spoon. Mash lightly, cook 5 minutes more, then ladle into warm jars, seal and cool. Makes 2 small jars that keep 3 weeks in the fridge.
Christmas Jam is the small gift that looks like you planned it for weeks: two jars of deep red cranberry and orange, warm with spice, from one saucepan and half an hour. It pairs with cheese, toast and roast meats, and it travels well in a gift basket.
Why you’ll love it
- Two giftable jars from one saucepan in about half an hour.
- No added pectin needed, cranberries set on their own.
- Tart, sweet and warmly spiced, a real Christmas flavor.
- Pairs with cheese boards, toast and roast meats alike.
- Keeps 3 weeks in the fridge, so make it early.
Ingredient notes
Fresh cranberries: the star. They are full of natural pectin, so the jam sets on its own as it cools, with no added pectin needed.
Orange juice and zest: the brightness. Wide strips of zest lift out cleanly before jarring, while grated zest stays in and clouds the jam.
Cinnamon stick and clove: the warmth. One stick and one clove give clean spice flavor, but both must come out before jarring or the jam turns bitter.
Sugar: the set and the sweetness. It balances the tart cranberries and helps the jam thicken as it cooks.
Salt: the quiet lift. A pinch rounds out the flavor so the jam tastes bright instead of just sweet.
The mash rule that makes or breaks it
One rule decides whether this jam looks homemade or dull, and it is the mash. Press the soft berries lightly with a potato masher, leaving plenty whole, and the jam keeps a lovely texture with whole berries that spread beautifully. Mash it fully and the jam turns smooth and dull, like a store jar. The second rule is the spices. Fish out the cinnamon stick and the clove before jarring, since left in they keep flavoring the jam and turn it bitter within days. Test the set by watching how it sheets off the back of a spoon: a slow, thick layer means it is ready, while a thin running stream means it needs 5 more minutes.
Variations
- Cranberry pear jam: swap half the cranberries for diced pear for a softer, sweeter jam.
- Spiced cherry jam: use frozen cherries instead of cranberries and add a pinch of almond extract.
- Hot jam: add a small dried chili to the simmer for a warm heat that suits a cheese board.
- Orange marmalade style: add thin strips of orange peel with the zest for a marmalade texture.
What we learned testing it
- A light mash beat a full mash clearly in the side by side test. The lightly mashed jam kept whole berries and a lovely texture, while the fully mashed batch turned smooth and dull.
- Removing the spices beat leaving them in. The jar with the cinnamon stick left in turned bitter by day three, while the jar with spices removed stayed bright and fresh.
- Orange zest strips beat grated zest here. The strips lifted out cleanly before jarring, while grated zest stayed in and made the jam cloudy.
Read how we test recipes.
Christmas Jam (Cranberry Orange, Small Batch)
Makes 2 small jars, about 16 servings · 4 hr 35 min total · Easy
Ingredients
Equipment
Medium saucepan · Wooden spoon · Small jars with lids · Potato masher
Instructions
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Simmer the cranberries and orange
Put the cranberries, sugar, orange juice, orange zest, cinnamon stick, clove, water and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring now and then, and cook for about 15 minutes. The berries will start to pop and burst, which is exactly what you want to hear.
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Mash and cook to set
Press the soft berries lightly with a potato masher, leaving some whole for texture, then cook 5 minutes more. The jam is ready when it sheets off the back of a spoon in a slow, thick layer instead of running off in a thin stream. Fish out the cinnamon stick and the clove before jarring.
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Jar it hot
Ladle the hot jam into warm, clean jars, leaving a little space at the top, and wipe the rims clean so the lids seal well. Put the lids on snugly and let the jars cool on the counter. You will hear a small pop as each lid seals, which tells you the jar is good for the fridge.
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Cool, label and gift
Let the jars cool fully, at least 4 hours, before moving them to the fridge. Label each jar with the name and the date, and tie a ribbon around the lid if it is a gift. Serve with cheese, on toast, or beside roast meats, and keep the jar in the fridge once opened.
Notes
- Cranberries set on their own, since they are full of natural pectin. No added pectin is needed for this jam.
- Fish out the cinnamon stick and clove before jarring. Left in, they keep flavoring the jam and turn it bitter within days.
- Warm the jars before filling them. Cold jars can crack when hot jam goes in, and warm jars seal better.
- Leave some berries whole when you mash. A jam with whole berries looks homemade and spreads with more texture.
Nutrition per serving
Nutrition information is being calculated.
Substitutions
- Fresh cranberries
- Use frozen cranberries instead, straight from the freezer. Add 5 minutes to the simmer time, since frozen berries need longer to burst.
- Orange juice and zest
- Use clementine or tangerine juice and zest instead. Both give the same bright citrus flavor with a slightly sweeter edge.
- Granulated sugar
- Use the same amount of honey instead, but add it after the berries burst, so it does not darken. The jam will be a little softer set.
Storage and make-ahead
Keep sealed jars in the fridge for up to 3 weeks. Once opened, keep the jar in the fridge and use within 2 weeks. Do not leave this jam at room temperature once opened, since it has no added preservatives.
Frequently asked questions
How do you make christmas jam without pectin?
You do not need added pectin. Cranberries are full of natural pectin, so they set on their own as they cool. Simmer until the jam sheets off a spoon, then jar it hot and let it cool fully.
How long does christmas jam keep?
Sealed jars keep 3 weeks in the fridge, and an opened jar keeps 2 weeks in the fridge. Label each jar with the date so you know when it was made.
What do you serve christmas jam with?
Serve it with a cheese board, on toast or scones, or beside roast turkey, ham or pork. The tart sweet flavor cuts through rich meats and creamy cheese alike.
Can I use frozen cranberries for christmas jam?
Yes. Use them straight from the freezer and add 5 minutes to the simmer time, since frozen berries need longer to burst. The jam sets the same way.
Is christmas jam a good gift?
Yes, it is one of the best small gifts. Two small jars from one batch, a label with the date, and a ribbon around the lid make a gift that looks thoughtful and costs very little.
