Homemade Christmas Jam - Health Official Tips

Homemade Christmas Jam – A Festive Blend of Sweet and Spicy Flavors

As the holiday season approaches, there’s nothing more heartwarming than the aroma of homemade Christmas Jam wafting through your kitchen. This delightful jam is a sweet-tart symphony of cranberries, strawberries, oranges, and a hint of warming spices like cinnamon, cloves, and allspice. Not only is it a flavorful spread for your holiday table, but it also makes for a thoughtful and beautifully packaged gift to share with loved ones.

If you’re a fan of all things festive, this Christmas Jam is a must-try recipe. It captures the essence of the season in every jar, with its vibrant red color and a flavor profile that pairs perfectly with toast, biscuits, scones, or even as a glaze for roasted meats.

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Jam

Bursting with Holiday Flavors: The combination of tart cranberries, sweet strawberries, citrusy orange zest, and warming spices is a quintessential holiday treat.
Perfect for Gifting: Homemade jams make personal, heartfelt gifts. A jar of Christmas Jam is sure to delight friends, family, or neighbors.
Simple and Rewarding: While the process involves a few steps, the result is a batch of beautifully preserved jam that can last throughout the season.
Versatile Use: Beyond spreading on bread, this jam can enhance your holiday desserts, serve as a filling for pastries, or even be a topping for cheesecake.

Key Ingredients and Their Role

Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients that make this jam so special:

Cranberries (12 oz): Fresh or frozen cranberries provide the tartness and vibrant color. They’re also packed with antioxidants.
Orange (1): The peeled sections and zest of the orange add a burst of citrusy flavor that balances the tart cranberries.
Strawberries (16 oz): Fresh or frozen strawberries bring sweetness and depth to the jam.
Spices: Ground cloves, cinnamon, and allspice lend a warm, holiday-inspired aroma and taste.
Sugar (4 cups): Pure cane sugar ensures the jam sets properly while balancing the tartness of the fruits.
Fruit Pectin (1 – 1.75 oz): This natural thickening agent helps the jam achieve the perfect consistency.
Butter (½ teaspoon): A small amount of butter reduces foam during cooking, ensuring a smoother jam.
Water (½ cup): Keeps the mixture fluid enough to cook evenly before setting.

Tips for Perfect Christmas Jam

Prepare Your Equipment: Sterilize your jars, lids, and rings before you start. This ensures your jam stays fresh and safe for consumption.
Don’t Overblend the Fruit: You want the fruits finely chopped but not pureed. This gives the jam a delightful texture.
Monitor the Boil: A rolling boil is essential for activating the pectin, but be careful not to overcook, which can alter the texture.
Skim the Foam: Use a metal spoon to remove any foam that forms on the surface of the jam during cooking. This step ensures a clearer, smoother finish.
Check the Seal: After processing the jars in a water bath, ensure the lids are properly sealed. Any unsealed jars should be refrigerated and used within two weeks.

Creative Ways to Use Christmas Jam

Spread on Breakfast Staples: Use it on toast, bagels, or croissants for a festive start to your day.
Dessert Enhancer: Drizzle over cheesecake, ice cream, or pancakes.
Savory Pairings: Use as a glaze for ham, turkey, or pork for a sweet and tangy flavor.
Filling for Pastries: Use it as a filling for thumbprint cookies or turnovers.
Charcuterie Boards: Serve alongside cheeses and crackers for a holiday appetizer.

How to Store Your Jam

Proper storage ensures your homemade jam stays fresh and delicious for months:

Refrigeration: For jars that didn’t seal properly, store them in the refrigerator and use within two weeks.
Pantry Storage: Sealed jars can be stored in a cool, dark place for up to a year.
Gifting Tips: Add a festive ribbon and a personalized tag for a thoughtful holiday gift.

Simple Recipe for Christmas Jam

Ingredients:

12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries (thawed if frozen)
1 orange, peeled and sectioned
2 tsp orange zest
16 oz fresh or frozen strawberries (thawed if frozen)
¼ tsp ground cloves
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp allspice
4 cups pure cane sugar
1 – 1.75 oz package powdered fruit pectin
½ tsp butter (optional, to reduce foam)
½ cup water

Instructions:

Prepare Jars and Equipment:
Wash jars, lids, and rings. Sterilize jars by filling them with water and placing them in a water-bath canner over medium-high heat. Boil the lids in a small saucepan of water.
Blend the Fruit:
In a blender, coarsely chop the cranberries and orange sections. Add strawberries, orange zest, and spices. Blend until finely chopped but not pureed.
Cook the Jam:
Combine the fruit mixture and water in a 5-quart stockpot. Stir in the pectin and butter. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Add the sugar and return to a full boil for 1 minute.
Remove Foam and Fill Jars:
Skim off any foam with a metal spoon. Ladle the hot jam into prepared jars, leaving ¼ inch of headspace. Wipe rims, secure lids, and screw rings on finger-tight.
Process the Jars:
Place the filled jars in the water-bath canner, ensuring they are covered with at least 2 inches of water. Cover and boil for 10 minutes.
Cool and Store:
Turn off the heat and uncover the canner. Let jars sit for 5 minutes before transferring them to a towel-lined counter. Leave undisturbed for 24 hours. Check seals before storing.

Enjoy your festive Christmas Jam as a sweet reminder of the season’s joys!

Nutrition Information:

YIELD:

SERVING SIZE:

1 Amount Per Serving:

CALORIES: 37, TOTAL FAT: 0g, SATURATED FAT: 0g, TRANS FAT: 0g, UNSATURATED FAT: 0g, CHOLESTEROL: 0mg, SODIUM: 1mg, CARBOHYDRATES: 10g, FIBER: 0g, SUGAR: 9g, PROTEIN: 0g

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