Christmas Jam

 🎄 Christmas Jam is a lovely, festive preserve that’s usually made with cranberries and strawberries, giving it a bright red color and a sweet-tart flavor. It’s spiced with warm holiday flavors like cinnamon and cloves. Perfect for spreading on toast, biscuits, or even serving with a cheese board.

Here’s a tried-and-true recipe:

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🎄 Christmas Jam Recipe

Ingredients (makes about 6 half-pint jars):

• 2 cups cranberries (fresh or frozen, chopped)
• 2 cups strawberries (fresh or frozen, chopped)
• 1 cup orange juice (or apple juice for a milder taste)
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• 4 cups granulated sugar
• 1 box (1.75 oz) powdered pectin
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• ¼ tsp ground allspice

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Instructions:

1. Prepare fruit: Chop cranberries and strawberries. If you like a smoother jam, pulse them in a food processor.

2. Cook the fruit: In a large pot, combine cranberries, strawberries, orange juice, lemon juice, and spices. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring often.

3. Add pectin: Stir in the powdered pectin. Bring the mixture to a full rolling boil (one that can’t be stirred down).

4. Add sugar: Stir in all the sugar at once. Return to a rolling boil and boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly.

5. Check set: Remove from heat. Skim off any foam. If you want to test the set, put a spoonful on a chilled plate—if it gels, it’s ready.

6. Jar it up: Ladle hot jam into sterilized half-pint jars, leaving ¼ inch headspace. Wipe rims, apply lids and bands.

7. Process: Process jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes (adjust for altitude if needed).

8. Cool: Remove and let jars rest undisturbed for 24 hours. Check seals before storing.

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✨ This jam keeps about a year in sealed jars. Once opened, refrigerate and use within 3–4 weeks.