Make-Ahead Christmas Jam Recipe (Cranberry-Strawberry Jam)

Name: Cranberry-Strawberry Jam With Warm Spices
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 ¾ lb. granulated sugar (800 g.); 2 lb. strawberries (hulled and quartered (900 g.)); 1 ½ lb. frozen cranberries (680 g.); 2 large oranges (juiced and zested); 1 large lemon (juiced); 4 whole cloves; ½ tsp nutmeg; ½ tsp. cinnamon

May 19, 2025 Master Canner

We’re proud to say that our cranberry-strawberry jam recipe isn’t your average Christmas jam canning recipe. It’s inspired by mulled wine and all those cold December nights when all you want to do is sip hot cocoa and watch bad Hallmark movies in your pajamas.

We get it, it’s 85°F out and you’re more interested in spritzers than spice right now, but trust us: this is the best time to make Christmas Jam.

Of course, you could wait until December to make it. Sure. You could also wait until December 23 to start shopping, bake 12 kinds of cookies, and wrap gifts at 1 a.m. But why would you want to do that? Why not make your Christmas jam when strawberries are juicy and sweet, frozen cranberries are easy to find, and you still have brain cells to spare?

Feel free to skip straight to the recipe, or hang out a bit for some handy tips, ingredient recommendations, and tricks to make this jam truly exceptional. Promise, no grandma stories here!

Jump to Recipe

What Exactly Is Christmas Jam?

In its most basic version, Christmas jam is a cranberry-strawberry jam spiced with cinnamon, cloves, and sometimes ginger. It’s got the sweet-tart vibe of a cranberry sauce and the festive pop of a holiday fruitcake, but in a spreadable form. It’s a jam made to be gifted – homemade, charming, just a little different.

And no, even though the Christmas jam recipes beginning popping up on Instagram in the early December, you don’t need to wait that long to make it. In fact, if you do wait until December and use frozen strawberries, we’ll just say it: it won’t be as good. The flavor gets muddy. The texture is off. The color is dull. It’ll still taste like a Christmas jam, but more like a 6/10 jam on a day when you needed an 11.

An Easy Way to Make Christmas Jam Without Wrecking Your Schedule

Unquestionably, between work, life, and trying to remember if you fed the cat this morning, spending hours in the kitchen to make a jam isn’t always realistic. And we get that! That’s why all our jams are created in a way that you break the work into phases and build these phases into your busy life. Actually, our Christmas jam recipe for canning works better when you break it into chunks of time and do not rush to make it all at once. It’s a jam canning recipe for busy people, planners, and the perpetually overbooked.

Here’s how to make it work for you:

Step 1: Maceration

For starters, once you mix your strawberries, cranberries, sugar, orange and lemon juices, walk away for at least 3 hours. Go do your thing! Seriously. In the meantime, sugar will draw out the natural juices and the cranberries can thaw fully. You’ll come back to a glossy, ruby-red mix swimming in its own syrupy goodness.

Too busy for even that? In that case, let the mixture macerate overnight in the fridge. Better yet, start it Saturday morning, go about your day, and pick it up again later. No stress. No timer anxiety.

Step 2: The Quick Boil

When you’re ready, bring the jam mixture to a boil and let it cook for just 5 minutes. That’s it! Indeed, 5 minutes is just enough to soften the cranberries and strawberries and kick-start the jelling process.

Of course, you could keep cooking right away. But if you have a day job or a life (or both), you’ll love our next jam making hack.

Step 3: Let It Cool (Yes, Really)

Let this cranberry and strawberry jam mixture cool completely after the initial boil. This makes mashing the fruit easier, reduces splatter, and actually improves the set. Most important, the pectin in the cranberries thickens better when it’s not rushed.

Time permits, do the quick boil before work, then come back to the pot in the evening to finish the jam. Or, do it on a Friday night and finish on Saturday morning! It’s flexible jam. We are not here to ruin your schedule and make your life stressful.

Gift Like a Pro

A jar of this Christmas jam wrapped in parchment with a ribbon is perfect for:

Teacher gifts
Neighbors who let you borrow their hedge trimmer (or any other power tools)
Stocking stuffers
Cheese board upgrades
That person who gives you socks every year (and deserves jam in return)

When gifting a jar of this jam we recommend to pair it with:

Homemade scones or biscuit mix
A mini cheese knife
A cute wooden spoon
A card that says “Made this in Summer while thinking of you. You’re welcome.”

Bonus points if you add a note: Best served while ignoring relatives and watching “Die Hard” instead of “A Royal Christmas.”

How to Make Christmas Jam with Cranberries, Strawberries, and Spices, Step-by-Step:

cranberry-strawberry jam ingredients — cranberry-strawberry jam recipe ingredients

mix all ingredients before setting them aside to macerate — cranberry-strawberry jam recipe ingredients

Cranberry-Strawberry Jam With Warm Spices

Make the best Christmas Jam with fresh summer strawberries and cranberries. This jam recipe is full of warm baking spices for that classic Christmas flavor. It’s perfect for gifting and you don’t need pectin to make it!

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 10

Resting Time 3

Yield: 12 x 8 oz. (250 ml.) mason jars

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Ingredients

1 ¾ lb. granulated sugar 800 g.
2 lb. strawberries hulled and quartered (900 g.)
1 ½ lb. frozen cranberries 680 g.
2 large oranges juiced and zested
1 large lemon juiced
4 whole cloves
½ tsp nutmeg
½ tsp. cinnamon

Instructions

Combine strawberries, frozen cranberries, sugar, orange zest and juice and lemon juice in a large, heavy-bottomed wide pot.
Stir well to coat everything with sugar.
Cover with a lid and let the mixture macerate for at least 3 hours, or overnight in the fridge.
Once macerated, add spices and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir occasionally.
Let it boil for 5 minutes then blend it with an immersion blender or mesh with a potato masher.
Skim any foam off the top if needed.
We recommend breaking up the strawberries and cranberries but leaving some chunks for texture.
Return the pot to the stove and simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the jam thickens and clings to a cold spoon, about 10-15 minutes.
You’ll know it’s ready when it passes the cold plate test.
Ladle the hot Christmas jam into sterilized jars, leaving ¼-inch headspace.
Process the jars in a water bath or steam canner, following the canning times in the table below.
Remove jars and let cool completely. Check seals after 12–24 hours.

Want this to be freezer jam instead? Skip the canning and freeze the cooled jam in freezer-safe containers.

Learn how to prepare mason jars and lids for canning

Preserve Type Jam

Cuisine American | European

Keyword Christmas jam recipe | Christmas jams and preserves recipe | Cranberry and strawberry jam | cranberry jam with strawberries | cranberry sauce Christmas recipe

FAQ

Can I make Christmas Jam with frozen strawberries?

Yes, but it won’t taste as good. Use them only if you must. If you do, thaw and drain them first to avoid excess water.

Can I use pectin?

You could, but you don’t need to. Strawberries and cranberries have enough natural pectin for a firm set. Plus, this is meant to be a soft, spreadable jam.

How Long Does Christmas Jam Last?

Unopened, Christmas jam lasts 12 months. Once opened, store in the fridge and use within 3 weeks.

Can I Double the Recipe?

Yes, but make sure you use a suitably-sized wide pot to match your larger batch. Stir often and do a cold plate check for the proper set of your jam. If necessary, increase the cooking time by 5 – 10 minutes.

Can I make this Cranberry and Strawberry Jam Recipe Sugar-free?

We advise against it! Sugar helps the jam set, preserves it, and balances the tartness of the cranberries. Low-sugar alternatives often won’t gel properly without commercial pectin.

Can I Process This Cranberry and Strawberry Jam Using Open Kettle Method?

In our opinion this jam is suitable for open kettle method. We recommend reading our post about open kettle canning (link) and how to can jams and juices with open kettle canning (link) first.

Should I Use Atmospheric Steam Canner or Water Bath Canner For This Recipe?

In our opinion, canning with an atmospheric steam canner is simpler and more forgiving than using a water bath. If you’re new to canning and haven’t invested in a water bath canning equipment yet, you might want to consider starting with an atmospheric steam canner. Check out our Steam Canning Guide—it’s a great place to begin. Below, you’ll find some of our recommended steam canner options.

We can’t wait to learn how this preserve recipe worked out for you. Leave us a comment below, like us on X, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Blue Sky. And remember, sharing is caring!

Make-Ahead Christmas Jam Recipe (Cranberry-Strawberry Jam)

What Exactly Is Christmas Jam?