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If you've got a little over an hour to spare (just 20 minutes of hands-on time), you can have a batch of this festive, delicious Cranberry Apple Christmas Jam ready to roll out the door. The festive free printable labels make this perfect for gifting!
Although we have a Christmas Marmalade with oranges and cranberries on our site, I thought it would be fun to also have a festive, crimson Christmas Jam with cranberries, apples and hints of warm spices.
A delicious, seasonal combination of ingredients
I picked up apples and a few bags of cranberries a few days ago, then put on my Christmas elf cap and started working. It wasn't a difficult task as the ingredients involved create a delicious combination. I diced the apples (taking just a few minutes with my Vidalia Chopper) and threw them in a pot with sugar to macerate for a bit before cooking. If you're not familiar with the culinary term, macerate, it means "to soften or become softened by soaking in a liquid" (from the Oxford English Dictionary).
After 30 minutes the sugar had drawn lots of liquid from the diced apples and then it was simply a matter of throwing everything else into the pot and simmering the vibrantly-hued mixture until it was perfectly thickened. In addition to the diced apples, I added chopped cranberries (again, using my handy-dandy Vidalia Chopper), a few teaspoons of grated ginger, a scoop of ground cinnamon and a pinch of ground cloves.
No pectin
I love the fact that both apples and cranberries are loaded with natural pectin so there's no need to use additional pectin to thicken this Cranberry Apple Christmas Jam. And unlike other cooked jams that lose their fresh color during the cooking process this retains a gorgeous cherry red hue. Check it out!
No canning skills needed!
Although this jam can be preserved with a hot water bath, it can also be stored in the refrigerator (or freezer for longer storage). So if you're intimidated or not familiar with canning, no worries! But if you enjoy canning or have limited freezer space you can use a hot water bath to make the jam shelf stable for storing. Here's a great article on how to safely preserve jam and jellies.
What to do with this Cranberry Apple Christmas Jam
Oh my, there are so many awesome things to do with this beautiful jam. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- It's delicious on toasted brioche bread, muffins or scones.
- Serve it warm on cold Brie or cold on warm Brie.
- Combine it with finely chopped fresh cilantro and an extra teaspoon or two of finely chopped fresh ginger. Use this combination as a beautiful "crème de la crème" for crostini topped with creamy goat cheese or cream cheese.
- Add a layer of this jam to your next grilled cheese.
- Serve it as a side with grilled or roasted pork or chicken.
- Swirl it into Greek yogurt topped with a handful of crunchy Double Almond Granola.
- Spoon it over ice cream.
- Give it as a gift!
A beautiful holiday gift!
This make a beautiful gift for hostesses, co-workers, friends, neighbors, teachers... anyone you want to spread a little holiday cheer to! And to make your gifts even cheerier (is that a word?), we've created a set free printable labels. To receive the PDFs for the labels, simply request them in the comment section beneath this post. We'll email you the labels along with instructions on how to print them up.
Add cranberries, apples and fresh ginger to your shopping list (you probably everything else in your pantry} and put together a batch of this Cranberry Apple Christmas Jam. It won't take long before a wonderful aroma will be wafting through your kitchen. And when you see the beautiful jars of jewel-toned jam lining your counter, and you'll feel like a little Christmas elf too! You ahead, treat yourself to a piece of buttered toast topped with your festive jam... you deserve it!
Cafe Tips for making this Cranberry Apple Christmas Jam
- What kind of apples to use for this Cranberry Apple Christmas Jam? I use Honey Crisp but Gala, Braeburn, Cortland, Honey Gold, Jonathan, Fuji, Golden Delicious... really any cooking apple will work. I would stay away from really hard apples like Granny Smith.
- As mentioned in the post above, I use my Vidalia Chop Wizard to chop the apples quickly into a perfect ¼-inch dice. I've used one of these little kitchen workhorses for years and it saves me lots of time. The chopper is perfect for onions, peppers, potatoes, carrots, apples, pears... and so much more! This is not a sponsored post and I am not a big gadget person but I do love this chopper.
- I used fresh cranberries but frozen will also work for this holiday jam.
- Cranberries can be a little tricky to chop as they like to roll and bounce all over the place. I also use my Vidalia Chopper for the cranberries! I put about 6-8 berries on the grate at a time, then lower the top, let it engage slightly then give it a good whack. Voila! Perfectly chopped cranberries with no errant berries!
- This recipe calls for a spoonful of finely grated fresh ginger. You can also use Ginger Paste. I love to keep a tube of ginger paste in my refrigerator or freezer. I like Gourmet Garden Ginger Paste which you'll find in the produce area of many larger grocery stores. It's super convenient and tastes just like fresh ginger.
- I like to use a large pot to make this jam to keep the hot simmering jam from spattering up my stovetop.
- Be sure to give this jam an occasional stir while it's cooking to prevent burning.
- If you prefer a low-sugar jam, I would go with a different recipe as you will need to use pectin. It may seem like a lot of sugar but it acts as a thickener in this jam and also as a preservative. I like to think of jam as a sweet treat to be enjoyed in small doses.
- The easiest and least messy way to ladle jam into jars is with a funnel. Funnels are not expensive and are super useful in the kitchen.
- This recipe makes 5-6 cups of jam. The number of jars will depend on the size of your jars.
- Remember, the jam will thicken as it cools so go for a thinner consistency than you want the finished product to be.
- If your jam cools and it's thicker than you would prefer, you can add water and stir well to thin it down.
Thought for the day:
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby,
keeping watch over their flocks at night.
An angel of the Lord appeared to them,
and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were terrified. But the angel said to them,
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news
that will cause great joy for all the people.
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you;
He is the Messiah, the Lord.
This will be a sign to you:
You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel,
praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Luke 2:8-14
What we're listening to for inspiration:
If you enjoy this recipe, please come back and leave a star rating and review! It’s so helpful to other readers to hear your results, adaptations and ideas for variations.
If you've got a little over an hour to spare (just 20 minutes of hands-on time), you can have a batch of this festive, delicious Cranberry Apple Christmas Jam ready to roll out the door. The festive free printable labels make this perfect for gifting!
- 3 cups diced apples (I use my Vidalia Chopper - see Café Tips) about ¼-inch dice, you'll need about 3 large apples, I use Honey Crisp but other apples will also work. See the Café Tips in the post.
- 5 cups fresh cranberries (I use my Vidalia Chopper - see Café Tips) chopped (frozen will also work)
- 4 cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon finely grated fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
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Wash your jars and lids in hot, soapy water then rinse all and set aside.
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Peel, core and dice the apples into ¼-inch pieces then combine them with the sugar and lemon juice in a large pot. Stir well and allow the mixture to sit for at least 30 minutes (or up to an hour).
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Add all remaining ingredients to the pot and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce to a steady simmer. Cook for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally until the mixture is thickened to your preference. Take note that it will thicken more as it cools.
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Ladle the jam into the prepared jars, (leave a half-inch headspace at the top) then screw the lids on tightly. Allow the jam to cool completely then store in the refrigerator or freezer when not in use.
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Prepare the jars according to these instructions.
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Peel, core and dice the apples into ¼-inch pieces then combine them with the sugar and lemon juice in a large pot. Stir well and allow the mixture to sit for at least 30 minutes (or up to an hour).
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Add all remaining ingredients to the pot and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce to a steady simmer. Cook for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally until the mixture is thickened to your preference. Take note that it will thicken more as it cools.
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Ladle the jam into the prepared jars then follow these instructions for processing the jam in a hot water bath.
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This jam will be stable at room temperature before being opened but should be refrigerated after opening.
See Café Tips above in the post for more detailed instructions and tips to ensure success.
If you prefer to use Metric measurements there is a button in each of our recipes, right above the word “Instructions”. Just click that button to toggle to grams, milliliters, etc. If you ever come across one of our recipes that doesn’t have the Metric conversion (some of the older recipes may not), feel free to leave a comment and I will add it.
This recipe makes 5-6 cups of jam. The number of jars will depend on the size of your jars.
Bonnie says
Please send me the labels. I have everything to make this tomorrow.
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sending them your way, Bonnie!
Willow says
Can one make this recipe omitting the honey and still safely canning it? Thank you! Looks delicious!
Chris Scheuer says
Yes, that will be fine.
Vicki Van Allen says
Hi, I found your wonderful website right before Christmas. I made your lemon pound cake…delicious! I can’t wait to try this jam. If not too late could i get the labels download? Thanks in advance. I love that you post a verse and link to songs you like.
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Thanks, Vicki! Sending the labels your way.
Ethel Renner says
I am looking forward to making this Jam and would love to have the free labels as I intend on giving some of this for gifts. Thank you!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sending them your way, Ethel!
Connie says
Jam looks wonderful going to make it this afternoon
Would love the great labels. I enjoy your posts and recipes
Thank you
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Thanks, Connie! Sending them your way.
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Hi Connie, the labels could not be delivered. Could there be an error in your email address?
SUSARAH B WILLIAMS says
I enjoy making the food from your recipes. May I have the labels for this holiday treat.
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
So glad to hear that, Susarah! We will send the labels.
K says
I’ve made many of your jams and they are delicious. Eager to try this one too and would love to have the pdf for the labels. Thanks so much!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Thanks, K! Sending them your way!
Paula says
Could I please have the labels for that beautiful cranberry apple jam?
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Of course, Paula! Enjoy!
Jeannie Hafer says
Could I have the pdf for the labels? Thanks!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Jeannie!
Laurie says
Saw this and just had to add it to my gift bags which have several other of your jellys and chutneys in. I have enjoyed and made so many of your reciepes. Always looking forward to seeing what you have coming next. Would love to have the labels.
Thank you Laurie
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
That's awesome, Laurie! Sending the labels your way!
Ann Nelson says
I printed out your recipe & can’t wait to try it. Every recipe of yours that I have tried has been a hit.
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Thanks so much, Ann! Hope you enjoy it!
Debbi K. says
Looks so good and love the label, very pretty. Can you send to me please? Merry Christmas 🎄
Carolyn Jonee says
Pleaswe send me the link to the labels
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Carolyn!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Debbie!
Brenda says
I asked for the labels a few days ago but don't see my comment here (nor did I get the email with the labels) so I'm assuming maybe I didn't click send or something? Anyway, please send me the labels-am looking forward to making this jam, it looks wonderful. Thanks
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Hi Brenda, just sent them to you!
Angela says
Looking forward to making this. Please send the labels. Thank you
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sending them your way, Angela!
Kathleen says
Can you please send me the labels for the Cranberry Apple Jam? This looks so beautiful and I'd like to give small jars as "sock" presents on Christmas Eve at my mother's house. Thanks and Merry Christmas!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sending them your way, Kathleen!
Jane Tanaka says
Made apple butter this year. Next is your apple cranberry jam. Please send the labels.
Mary Ellen Lilly says
Making this today please send labels. Thank you. Enjoy your daily bible verses and inspiration. Thanks loads.
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sending them your way, Jane!
Elizabeth says
Made this wonderful jam, but accidentally deleted the labels you sent me. If possible please send again. Currently, marinating a pork loin with this jam that I think will be divine. Other jars are for gifts. They look like little jewels! Thanks!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Elizabeth!