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Packed with Christmas time flavors, this easy Cranberry Holiday Jam is great for gifting, and first time canners alike!

The holidays are for making memories, and I always find that small homemade gifts are the best ones of all. It’s always been a big part of my holiday season. The Brandied Fruit Cake is usually top of the list, and people request it again and again. But this year, I wanted to do some canning to spread the holiday cheer with this easy Cranberry Holiday Jam. It tastes just like Christmas, if Christmas had a taste that is.

And your kitchen will smell incredible while doing it. If you’re new to canning, this is also an easy first time canners dream recipe. Super simple and fun to make!

Ingredients for Cranberry Christmas Jam Recipe

  • Cranberries, fresh or frozen
  • Fresh Pears, peeled and shredded
  • Water
  • Orange Zest
  • Orange Juice
  • Sugar
  • Ground Cinnamon
  • Ground Ginger
  • Ground Cloves
  • Ground Nutmeg

How to make Holiday Jam Recipe

In a stock pot or Dutch oven, bring cranberries, pears, water, orange zest, and orange juice to a boil over medium high heat. Simmer the mixture until the cranberries burst, 5-10 minutes. Stir in the sugar, and remaining spices into the mixture, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely.

Crush the fruit with a potato masher until it’s mostly smooth. No need to use a food processor, as the berries will break open as they cook. The fruit will continue to break down as it boils, so don’t worry if it isn’t completely smooth, just crush as many berries as possible.

Continue to boil the jam over medium high heat, adjusting as needed, until it thickens and the temperature registers between 217 to 220F. Remove the pot from the heat.

Place a dish towel flat on the counter. Using a jar lifter, remove jars from a pot of simmering water, and drain the water back into the pot. Place the jars upside down on the towel to drain any remaining water.

Use a funnel and ladle to portion the hot jam into the jars, leaving 1/4″ of headspace. Use a spoon to skim any foam that has been created off the top of the jam. Slide a skewer or chopstick around the inside of each jar to remove any large air bubbles that might be present.

Wipe the rims of the jars clean with a damp paper towel, add lids, and ring bands to the jars.

Place jars into a boiling water bath canner (pot of boiling water that will cover the jars completely with at least 1″ of water). Boil the jars for 15 minutes. Begin timing when the water reaches a rolling boil again after the jars are put in.  You can also use half pints for this recipe as well to extend the gifting quantity. 

Uncover the pot when the time is up, and turn off the heat. Allow the jars to rest in the water bath for 3-5 minutes, and lift them out with a can lifter. Place on a towel on the counter to cool completely.

cranberry holiday jam with jars surrounding it overhead with christmas ornaments

What to put it on!

There is so much you can put this easy Cranberry Holiday Jam on. Think of it as a cheerful spread on a turkey sandwich. Or on a wheel of brie with crackers? It would be delightful on vanilla yogurt or a parfait in the morning. And I’m not opposed to just on toast, too!

Cute Canning Labels

If you’re interested in making your own custom labels for your homemade canned creations, then use my DIY Cute Canning Jar Tutorial. I have a step-by-step guide on my YouTube channel that will walk you through the whole process. Be sure to give the video a thumbs up, and subscribe to get all my new videos.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need added pectin in this recipe?

Nope! Cranberries have a lot of pectin in them, and create a natural jell when they are cooked! So no need for added powdered pectin or liquid fruit pectin here! 

Can this be made as a freezer jam? 

Sure. If you are not sold on the idea of water batch canning, you can make this as a freezer jam. Just follow standard freezer jam process using the appropriate jars. It may freeze harder than standard jam and require some thawing in the fridge before it’s ready to use.

More Canned and Jam Gifts!

Homemade Roasted Garlic Pasta Sauce

Homemade Blueberry Butter + Homemade Blueberry Pancake Syrup (Two recipes in one!)

Italian Plum and Walnut Compote

Smoky Roasted Salsa

Grapefruit Marmalade

Pineapple Apricot Jam

More Homemade Edible Gift Ideas!

Brandied Fruit Cake

Brandied Fruit Cake - homemadehome.com

Homemade Flavored Salts – Cookin Canuck

Christmas Crunch Treat Mix – Iowa Girl Eats

Sweet and Spicy Pepper Relish – Two Healthy Kitchens

Hot Chocolate Bombs – Julie Blanner

Bacon Jam – From Valerie’s Kitchen

Homemade Gluten Free Vanilla Cake Mix – Fearless Dining

DIY Tea Blends

DIY Tea Blends - Five herbs, flowers and fruits that make infinite new blends!

Homemade Marshmallows – Flavor the Moments

No Sugar Added Persimmon Jam – Running To The Kitchen

White Chocolate Liqueur – Masala Herb

Dairy Free Vegan Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix – Allergy Awesomeness

Cranberry Almond Chocolate Bark – Belly Full

Butterscotch Hot Cocoa Mix

Homemade Butterscotch Hot Cocoa Mix
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cranberry holiday jam with jars surrounding it

Cranberry Holiday Jam

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  • Author: Megan Keno
  • Prep Time: 20 MInutes
  • Water Bath: 15 Minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 Minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 5 Jars 1x
  • Category: Canning
  • Method: Stove Top
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe

Description

Packed with Christmas time flavors, this easy Cranberry Holiday Jam is great for gifting, and first time canners alike!

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 pound Cranberries, fresh or frozen
  • 1 pound Fresh Pears, peeled and shredded (about 2 cups)
  • 1 cup Water
  • 2 Tbsp Orange Zest
  • 1/2 cup Orange Juice
  • 3 cups Sugar
  • 2 tsp Cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp Ground Ginger
  • 1/4 tsp Ground Cloves
  • 1/4 tsp Ground Nutmeg

Instructions

  1. In a stock pot or Dutch oven, bring cranberries, pears, water, orange zest, and orange juice to a boil over medium high heat. Simmer the mixture until the cranberries burst, 5-10 minutes. Stir in the sugar, and remaining spices into the mixture, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely.
  2. Crush the fruit with a potato masher until it’s mostly smooth. The fruit will continue to break down as it boils, so don’t worry if it isn’t completely smooth, just crush as many berries as possible.
  3. Continue to boil the jam over medium high heat, adjusting as needed, until it thickens and the temperature registers between 217 to 220F. Remove the pot from the heat.
  4. Place a dish towel flat on the counter. Using a jar lifter, remove jars from a pot of simmering water, and drain the water back into the pot. Place the jars upside down on the towel to drain any remaining water.
  5. Use a funnel and ladle to portion the hot jam into the jars, leaving 1/4″ of headspace. Slide a skewer or chopstick around the inside of each jar to remove any large air bubbles that might be present.
  6. Wipe the rim of the jars clean with a damp paper towel, add lids, and ring bands to the jars.
  7. Place jars into a hot water bath canner (pot of boiling water that will cover the jars completely with at least 1″ of water). Boil the jars for 15 minutes. Begin timing when the water reaches a boil again after the jars are put in.
  8. Uncover the pot when the time is up, and turn off the heat. Allow the jars to rest in the water bath for 3-5 minutes, and lift them out with a can lifter. Place on a towel on the counter to cool completely.

Notes

Original recipe from America’s Test Kitchen Foolproof Preserving Holiday Jam