Christmas jams are a special treat that bring holiday cheer to your kitchen. These sweet spreads capture the flavors of the season and make great gifts for friends and family.

You can enjoy them on toast, scones, or even as a topping for desserts.

Making Christmas jams is a fun way to get creative with festive ingredients. You can mix and match fruits like cranberries, strawberries, and apples to create unique flavor combinations.

Adding spices like cinnamon or nutmeg can give your jams an extra boost of holiday spirit. With so many options, you’re sure to find a recipe that suits your taste.

1. Spiced Cranberry Jam

This festive jam brings Christmas cheer to your table. Start by rinsing fresh cranberries and discarding any damaged ones.

Mix the cranberries with sugar, orange juice, and water in a large saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring now and then.

The cranberries will burst as they cook.

Keep stirring until the mixture thickens, which takes about 10-15 minutes. Add spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for extra flavor.

Once ready, carefully pour the hot jam into clean jars. Leave a bit of space at the top. Seal the jars and process them in boiling water to preserve the jam.

2. Apple Cinnamon Christmas Jam

Apple Cinnamon Christmas Jam brings the cozy flavors of the season to your breakfast table. This sweet and spicy spread is perfect for holiday mornings.

To make it, start by peeling and dicing fresh apples. Mix them with brown sugar, lemon juice, and butter in a large pot.

Add cinnamon and other warm spices like nutmeg or cloves for that festive touch.

Simmer the mixture for about 30 minutes, stirring often. The apples will turn amber and become transparent as they cook down.

Your kitchen will smell amazing!

The jam is ready when it’s glossy and slightly thick. Spread it on toast, muffins, or use it as a topping for pancakes.

You can also give jars as homemade gifts.

3. Orange Ginger Marmalade

Orange ginger marmalade is a zesty twist on a classic spread. You’ll love its bright, citrusy flavor with a spicy kick.

To make it, you’ll need oranges, lemons, fresh ginger, and sugar. Start by slicing the orange peels into thin strips.

Boil the peels with orange juice, lemon juice, and grated ginger. Add sugar and simmer until the mixture thickens.

For extra flavor, try adding a splash of whiskey at the end. This marmalade is great on toast or as a glaze for meats.

It also makes a tasty addition to cocktails. Just a spoonful can liven up a gin or bourbon drink.

4. Berry Holiday Delight Jam

This festive jam combines cranberries and strawberries for a bright, tangy flavor. It’s perfect for spreading on toast or adding to yogurt parfaits.

To make it, grind cranberries and strawberries in a food processor. Mix them with sugar in a large pot and bring to a boil.

Cook for 1 minute, then remove from heat and stir in pectin. Return to a boil for another minute, stirring constantly.

Let the jam cool before transferring to jars. You can gift it to friends or enjoy it yourself throughout the holiday season.

5. Pear Vanilla Christmas Preserve

This festive jam combines the sweetness of pears with the warmth of vanilla. You’ll need ripe Bartlett pears, sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla beans or extract.

Chop the pears, leaving the skin on for added texture and flavor. Mix them with sugar in a large pot.

Cook over medium heat, stirring often.

As the mixture simmers, mash the pears to your desired consistency. Add lemon juice and vanilla.

Cook until it thickens and passes the gel test.

Pour the hot jam into sterilized jars. This preserve makes a great gift and pairs well with cheese or spread on toast.

6. Christmas Plum Pudding Jam

This festive jam brings the flavors of traditional plum pudding to your breakfast table. You’ll love spreading it on toast or scones during the holiday season.

To make this jam, start with ripe plums and add classic pudding spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Mix in some raisins, candied citrus peel, and a splash of brandy for that authentic plum pudding taste.

Cook the mixture until it thickens, then pour into sterilized jars. This jam makes a great homemade gift for friends and family. It’s sure to become a new Christmas favorite in your household.

7. Fig and Walnut Festive Spread

This Christmas jam combines sweet figs with crunchy walnuts for a tasty treat. It’s easy to make and perfect for the holiday season.

Mix chopped figs, walnuts, sugar, and lemon juice in a pot. Cook the mixture until it thickens. Add a pinch of cardamom for a hint of spice.

Spread this jam on toast or crackers. It goes great with cheese plates too.

You can also use it as a topping for desserts or mix it into yogurt.

This spread makes a nice gift for friends and family. Put it in small jars with pretty labels for a festive touch.

8. Peppermint Strawberry Jam

This festive jam combines sweet strawberries with cool peppermint for a unique holiday treat. You’ll need fresh strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, and peppermint extract.

Start by washing and hulling the strawberries. Mash them in a large pot.

Add sugar and lemon juice, then bring the mixture to a boil.

Reduce heat and simmer until the jam thickens. Stir in a few drops of peppermint extract near the end of cooking.

Be careful not to add too much, as peppermint can overpower quickly.

Pour the hot jam into sterilized jars. This bright red jam with a minty twist makes a great gift or addition to your holiday table.

9. Pomegranate and Lime Jam

Pomegranate and lime jam brings a burst of festive flavor to your holiday table. This bright and tangy spread combines the sweet-tart taste of pomegranate with zesty lime.

To make this jam, you’ll need fresh pomegranate arils, lime juice, and sugar. Some recipes add pectin for thickening.

Start by simmering the pomegranate arils with sugar and lime juice. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens.

This process usually takes about 20-30 minutes.

Once done, pour the jam into sterilized jars. It will keep in the fridge for several weeks.

Enjoy this vibrant spread on toast, scones, or as a glaze for meats.

10. Holiday Spiced Chutney

Holiday Spiced Chutney brings a tangy twist to your Christmas jam collection. This festive spread combines fruits like apples and cranberries with warming spices.

To make it, chop apples and mix them with cranberries in a large pot. Add orange zest and juice for a citrusy kick. Stir in sugar and spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.

Cook the mixture over medium heat until it thickens. Stir often to prevent sticking.

Once it reaches the right consistency, ladle the chutney into clean jars.

You can enjoy this spicy-sweet chutney on toast, with cheese, or as a side for roasted meats.

Tips for Preparing Christmas Jam

Making Christmas jam takes care and attention to detail. These tips will help you create a delicious homemade spread for the holidays.

Selecting Fresh Ingredients

Pick ripe, firm fruits for your jam. Avoid bruised or overripe berries.

Frozen fruit can work too, but fresh is best for flavor. Wash all fruits well before use. Remove any stems or leaves.

For cranberries, look for bright red berries that are firm to the touch. Apples should be crisp and free of blemishes.

Oranges need to be heavy for their size, with smooth skin. Buy whole spices like cinnamon sticks and star anise for the best taste.

Use them within a year for top quality. Check expiration dates on pectin packages to make sure it’s fresh.

Balancing Sweetness and Tartness

Taste your fruit before adding sugar. Ripe fruit needs less sugar than tart fruit.

Start with less sugar than the recipe calls for. You can always add more later.

Use a mix of sweet and tart fruits for depth of flavor. Cranberries and oranges add tang, while apples bring sweetness.

Lemon juice brightens the taste and helps the jam set. Add it a little at a time and taste as you go.

For a less sweet jam, try low-sugar pectin. It lets you use less sugar without affecting the texture.

Spices like cinnamon and nutmeg can add warmth without extra sugar. Be careful not to add too much, as they can overpower the fruit flavor.

Storing and Preserving Christmas Jam

Proper storage and preservation techniques keep your Christmas jam safe and delicious for months. Learn how to can jams correctly and understand their shelf life to enjoy your festive creations year-round.

Proper Canning Techniques

Start by sterilizing your jars in hot, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and keep warm until ready to use.

Fill clean jars with hot jam, leaving 1/4 inch of headspace at the top. Wipe jar rims clean and apply lids.

Process filled jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. Remove jars and let cool completely.

Check that lids have sealed by pressing the center – it should not flex. Label jars with contents and date.

Shelf Life Expectations

Properly canned Christmas jams can last up to 1 year when stored in a cool, dry place. Keep unopened jars away from direct sunlight and heat sources.

Once opened, refrigerate the jam and use within 1-2 weeks for best quality.

For jams not processed in a water bath, store in the fridge and consume within 2-3 weeks.

Check jams before eating. Discard if you see mold, off-odors, or changes in color or texture.

Freezer jams can last 6-12 months in the freezer. Thaw in the fridge before using.