Move aside marmalade…Christmas Jam is back in town! What better addition is there to your festive breakfast or afternoon tea table than a gorgeously seasonal jam where cranberries reign supreme? With the sweetness of strawberries to cut their bitterness, and the seasonal warmth of cinnamon and ginger, this really is the perfect way to start any December morning!
And, while we would not judge you one tiny bit if you wanted to keep all this jam to yourself, if you do decide to share the sugary goodness this year, then it makes a wonderful homemade gift.
Once again, we’ve done the work for you in terms of preparing a label too, so you only need to print it out and attach it to the jar and, hey presto, you’ve got a wonderful Christmas gift ready to pass along. This might also be a wonderful addition to your Family Christmas Hamper – the options are almost endless!
Let’s Talk Testing!
Now for the technical bit.
In the Jolly Festive kitchen we often get asked – how do I know if my jam is ready? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
While your jam mixture is simmering, place a small plate into the freezer for approximately 5 minutes, until fully chilled. Spoon a small amount of the hot jam onto the cold place. Allow it to sit for 1-2 minutes – if it forms a gel-like consistency and wrinkles when touched, it’s ready. If it remains runny, then it needs more cooking.
And, if you didn’t already have enough reasons to make this jam, the fact that it will keep well into 2021 means that, whenever you’re feeling those Christmas blues, you can just pop to your pantry for a hit of Christmas cheer!
Ingredients (makes 1l of Jam)
- 350g fresh cranberries, washed
- 450g strawberries, chopped (fresh or frozen)
- 800g jam sugar
- 2tsp clementine zest
- Juice of 3 clementines
- 150ml water
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ginger
- ¼ tsp all spice
Recipe
- Combine all ingredients in a large, heavy bottom pan and place over a medium heat. Bring to the boil, stirring continuously to ensure all the sugar dissolves.
- Reduce the heat to low, and allow to simmer for approximately 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Around the 25-minute mark, do the plate test. If the jam wrinkles when pushed and starts to set, remove from the heat at this point. If not, return to the heat for an additional 5 minutes. Continue this process until the plate test is successful.
- Remove from the heat and, using the back of a wooden spoon, gently press on any of the cranberry or strawberry pieces which are still whole to mash them – you want approximately 2/3 of the mixture to be mashed.
- Place in sterilised canning jars*, cover with a round of greaseproof paper and store in a cool dark place.
NB. Ensure you are putting hot mixture into a hot jar to prevent the jars from cracking!
Jam will keep for up to 6 months. Once opened, refrigerate.
*Sterilising jars:
- Preheat the oven to 100C.
- Wash jars and lids by hand or using dishwasher; ensure they are dried thoroughly.
- Place jars face down, and lid face up, onto a clean baking sheet.
- Cook jars until you are ready to fill them (at least 20 minutes).
- When you’re ready to fill them, remove from the oven and jars will be sterilised!
Print out this label to attach to your jam jars.
Want to make more edible gifts for your loved ones? Check out our complete recipe collection and fill a basket with beautiful homemade goodies!