A festive homemade jam made with juicy berries, apple, orange and warming spices. It’s sweet, tangy and fragrant, perfect for Christmas breakfast, toast, scones, pancakes or gifting in pretty little jars.
Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 25–35 minutes Makes: Approximately 2 small jars
Ingredients
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2 cups strawberries, fresh or frozen
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1 cup cranberries, fresh or frozen
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1 medium apple, peeled and grated
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¾ cup sugar (150 g), adjust to taste
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2 tbsp orange juice
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1 tsp finely grated orange zest
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½ tsp ground cinnamon
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A pinch of ground cloves
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1 tbsp lemon juice
No cranberries? Use extra strawberries, raspberries or chopped cherries.
Instructions
1. Prepare the fruit
Wash the berries. Hull and chop the strawberries. Peel and grate the apple.
2. Combine the ingredients
Place the strawberries, cranberries, grated apple, sugar, orange juice, orange zest, cinnamon and cloves in a heavy-bottomed saucepan.
3. Cook the jam
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring regularly. Reduce the heat and simmer for 20–30 minutes, stirring frequently as it thickens.
Gently mash some of the fruit with a spoon if you prefer a smoother jam.
4. Add the lemon juice
Stir in the lemon juice during the final 5 minutes of cooking. It brightens the flavour and helps balance the sweetness.
5. Check the consistency
Place a small plate in the freezer for a few minutes. Put a teaspoon of jam on the cold plate and let it cool briefly. Push it with your finger; if the surface wrinkles slightly, the jam is ready. Otherwise, cook for a few more minutes and test again.
Remember that the jam will thicken further as it cools.
6. Cool and store
Transfer the hot jam into clean, heat-safe jars. Let it cool, then refrigerate. For this simple refrigerator-jam recipe, don’t store it at room temperature.
Tips for the perfect Christmas jam
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For a festive flavour: Add a small pinch of nutmeg or ginger.
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For a chunky texture: Leave some berries whole.
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For a smoother jam: Blend carefully after cooking, before transferring to jars.
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For edible Christmas gifts: Decorate refrigerated jars with festive ribbons and labels, and include the storage date.
Serving ideas
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Spread on warm toast with butter.
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Serve with scones and clotted cream.
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Swirl into yogurt or porridge.
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Use as a filling for thumbprint cookies or sandwich biscuits.
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Pair with a cheese board, especially mature cheddar or brie.
Storage: Refrigerate and use within about 2–3 weeks, provided clean utensils are used. Discard if you notice mould, fermentation or an unusual smell.
Enjoy your homemade Christmas jam! 🎅
