Mouthwatering Christmas Cranberry Orange Jam Recipe
This mouthwatering Christmas Cranberry Orange Jam combines the tartness of fresh cranberries with the bright citrus flavor of sweet oranges, enhanced by warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Perfect for holiday breakfasts or as a delicious homemade gift, this jam is easy to prepare on the stovetop and captures the festive spirit in every jar.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: About 4 cups (approximately 2 standard 8 oz jars) 1x
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh cranberries
- 2 medium sweet oranges, peeled and sectioned
- 1 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed from 1 orange)
- 1 tbsp orange zest (about 1 whole orange)
Spices and Sweeteners
- 2 cups white sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Prepare the Oranges and Cranberries: Thoroughly wash one orange, then zest it and juice it to yield about 1 cup of freshly squeezed juice. Wash the cranberries under cold running water. Peel the two oranges carefully, removing any white pith, then section and cut them into smaller pieces to ensure even cooking.
- Combine Ingredients in Saucepan: Place the washed cranberries, prepared orange pieces, orange zest, and orange juice into a saucepan. Add the white sugar, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and ground nutmeg. Stir everything together well to evenly distribute the flavors.
- Cook the Jam: Set the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low. Stir every 2-3 minutes, gently pressing on the cranberries so they burst and release their juices. Continue to simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the mixture thickens to a jam-like consistency. Taste and adjust spices if needed.
- Jar and Seal the Cranberry Orange Jam: Carefully pour the hot jam into sterilised jars, filling up to the brim. Cover the jars immediately with their lids to create an airtight seal. Let the jars cool completely before storing.
Notes
- Use freshly squeezed orange juice and zest for the best flavor impact.
- Pressing the cranberries gently while cooking helps release natural pectin for thickening.
- Make sure to use sterilised jars to ensure the jam stores safely.
- Adjust spices according to taste preferences after cooking but before jarring.
- This jam pairs wonderfully with toast, cheese boards, or as a festive glaze for meats.
Keywords: Christmas jam, cranberry orange jam, holiday preserves, stovetop jam, homemade jam, Christmas recipes, festive jam
