Introduction

This Christmas Jam made in a crockpot is a festive and easy way to enjoy homemade fruit preserves. Combining tart cranberries and sweet strawberries with warm spices, it captures the holiday spirit perfectly. It’s a simple recipe that fills your kitchen with wonderful aromas and yields a delicious jam.

Several clear glass jars with silver lids are filled with deep red, textured raspberry jam, showing tiny raspberry seeds suspended inside. The jars are closely arranged on a white marbled surface, focusing on the front jar with a clear view of its glossy, jelly-like content. The background is softly blurred, highlighting the rich color and thick consistency of the jam in each jar. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 ½ pounds cranberries, fresh or frozen
1 ½ pounds strawberries, fresh or frozen
1 cup granulated sugar
1 ¼ cups light brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger
Optional: zest of one orange or 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

Step 1: Add cranberries, strawberries, both sugars, and spices to the crockpot. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
Step 2: Cover and cook on high for four hours, stirring once halfway through to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
Step 3: Once cooked, blend the hot mixture using an immersion blender or carefully transfer in batches to a countertop blender. Pulse only two to three times to keep a jam-like texture with some chunks.
Step 4: Ladle the hot jam into clean jars, wipe the rims to remove any residue, and secure lids lightly to allow air to escape while cooling.
Step 5: Let the jars cool to room temperature, then refrigerate overnight before enjoying. This resting time helps the flavors develop fully.

Tips & Variations

For a citrusy twist, add the zest of one orange or a tablespoon of lemon juice before cooking to brighten the flavor.
If you prefer a smoother jam, blend a little longer, but be careful not to over-blend to maintain some texture.
Try adding a splash of vanilla extract after cooking for added warmth and depth.
You can substitute strawberries with raspberries or mixed berries for different flavor profiles.

Storage

Store the jam in the refrigerator for up to two weeks in airtight jars. For longer storage, freeze the jam in freezer-safe containers for up to three months. Reheat gently before serving if desired.

How to Serve

A close-up view of a thick, deep red jam with visible tiny seeds, held on a silver spoon above a glass bowl filled with the same jam. The jam looks glossy and sticky, with a smooth yet textured surface from the seeds. Steam rises gently from the warm jam, showing it is freshly made. The background has a soft, rich red color that complements the jam, while the bowl sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen berries for this recipe?

Yes, you can use either fresh or frozen cranberries and strawberries. Frozen berries work well and will cook down similarly in the crockpot.

Do I need to sterilize the jars before filling?

For short-term refrigeration storage, clean jars thoroughly with hot, soapy water and sterilize if possible. If you plan to preserve the jam long-term, proper sterilization and canning methods are recommended.

Christmas Cranberry Strawberry Spice Jam Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 99 reviews

This festive Christmas Jam Crockpot recipe combines fresh cranberries and strawberries with warm spices to create a deliciously spiced jam perfect for holiday breakfasts or gift-giving. Using a slow cooker, this recipe is easy and hands-off, requiring minimal effort for a delightful homemade jam with a rustic texture.

Author: Cleo
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
Yield: Approximately 4 cups of jam 1x
Category: Condiment
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Fruits

1 ½ pounds cranberries, fresh or frozen
1 ½ pounds strawberries, fresh or frozen

Sweeteners

1 cup granulated sugar
1 ¼ cups light brown sugar

Spices and Flavorings

2 teaspoons ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger
Optional: zest of one orange or 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

Combine Ingredients: Add the cranberries, strawberries, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and all the spices—including allspice, cinnamon, and ginger—into the crockpot. Stir everything together thoroughly to evenly distribute the sugars and spices.
Cook the Jam: Cover the crockpot and set it to cook on high heat for four hours. Be sure to stir the mixture once halfway through cooking to ensure even heat distribution and prevent sticking.
Blend to Desired Texture: Once the mixture is hot and the fruits have broken down, use an immersion blender directly in the crockpot or transfer the mixture in batches to a countertop blender. Pulse just two to three times to achieve a thick jam-like consistency keeping some texture intact.
Jar the Jam: Ladle the hot jam into clean jars, wipe the rims carefully to remove any residue, and lightly secure lids on top to allow some venting.
Cool and Store: Allow the jars to cool to room temperature. Then, refrigerate the jam overnight to fully set and develop its flavors before using.

Notes

You can use either fresh or frozen cranberries and strawberries depending on availability.
Add zest of one orange or a tablespoon of lemon juice to brighten the flavors if desired.
Pulse the blending step briefly—over-blending will make the jam too smooth.
Store jam refrigerated and consume within two to three weeks for best quality.
This jam makes a wonderful homemade holiday gift.

Keywords: cranberry jam, strawberry jam, crockpot jam, Christmas jam, holiday jam, slow cooker jam, homemade jam, spiced jam