If you’re looking to make something special for the holidays or just want a cozy, fruity treat that feels like a warm hug in a jar, then you’re in the right place. I’m super excited to share my Festive Cranberry Strawberry Crockpot Jam Recipe with you — it’s one of those sweet little wonders that makes everything feel just a bit more magical. The blend of tart cranberries and juicy strawberries, mixed with warming spices and cooked gently in the crockpot, is pure happiness. Promise you’ll love how simple it is and how fantastic it tastes!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Prep: Toss everything in the crockpot and forget about it—hands-off cooking at its finest.
- Balanced Flavors: The tart cranberries and sweet strawberries with warm spices create that perfect festive flavor.
- Versatile Use: Great spread on toast, stirred into yogurt, or as a holiday gift from your kitchen.
- Keeps Well: Refrigerates and freezes beautifully, so you can enjoy it well after the holidays.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Festive Cranberry Strawberry Crockpot Jam Recipe brings something unique to the table. The fruit combination gives a lovely balance of sweet and tart, while the warm spices add depth. Let me walk you through what to look for when picking these out.
- Cranberries: Fresh or frozen works perfectly; just make sure they’re firm and vibrant if fresh.
- Strawberries: Go for ripe but firm berries — frozen strawberries are great in the off-season and save prep time.
- Granulated Sugar: Helps balance the tartness of the cranberries and strawberries beautifully.
- Light Brown Sugar: Adds a subtle caramel note that makes this jam feel extra cozy.
- Ground Allspice: Just a pinch gives this jam that festive, holiday warmth.
- Ground Cinnamon: Cinnamon’s classic warmth ties all the flavors together.
- Ground Ginger: Adds a tiny zing that lifts the jam without overpowering it.
- Orange Zest or Lemon Juice (optional): I like to add orange zest sometimes—it brightens the jam right up, but lemon juice works well too.
Variations
I’m all about making recipes your own, and this Festive Cranberry Strawberry Crockpot Jam Recipe is no exception. Whether you want to dial back the sugar or amp up the spice, here are a few tweaks I’ve tried that give the jam a little personal flair.
- Spice it up: I once added a dash of cayenne pepper for a little kick, and my family got a real kick out of it—just a pinch, though!
- Sweeten Naturally: Swap out half the sugar for honey or maple syrup to add complex sweetness and a touch of natural goodness.
- Fruit Swap: Adding some fresh or frozen raspberries gives it an extra berry punch that’s delicious.
- Chunky vs. Smooth: Blend less for chunkier jam or more for smoother spreads—I’m a fan of a little texture, so I tend to pulse just a couple of times.
How to Make Festive Cranberry Strawberry Crockpot Jam Recipe
Step 1: Combine Ingredients in the Crockpot
This part couldn’t be simpler. Toss your fresh or frozen cranberries and strawberries into the crockpot. Add both sugars, allspice, cinnamon, and ginger. If you’re using orange zest or lemon juice, now’s the time to add it. Give everything a good stir so the sugars and spices are evenly mixed in. I like to do this with a big wooden spoon—it feels more homestyle that way!
Step 2: Slow Cook and Stir
Cover your crockpot and set it to high for four hours. About halfway through cooking, set a reminder to open the lid and give everything a stir. This helps the fruit break down evenly and keeps the jam from sticking to the sides. You’ll notice the cranberries start to pop and the mixture bubbles away — that’s when you know it’s becoming that jammy magic you want. Don’t rush this step; slow cooking brings out all those deep flavors.
Step 3: Blend to the Perfect Texture
After cooking, use an immersion blender right in the crockpot or carefully transfer the hot jam in batches to a regular blender. Here’s where you decide how smooth or chunky you want your jam. I usually pulse it just 2-3 times — that way you get a spreadable jam with some delightful bits of fruit still intact. If you over-blend, it turns more like a jelly, and I prefer having a bit of texture.
Step 4: Jar and Cool
Spoon your piping hot jam into clean jars, wipe the rims clean, and lightly screw on the lids. Let them cool completely at room temperature — this step lets flavors settle and the jam thicken just right. I usually let the jars rest overnight in the fridge before digging in; it’s worth the wait.
Pro Tips for Making Festive Cranberry Strawberry Crockpot Jam Recipe
- Choosing Your Fruit: When I first tried this, using frozen berries straight from the freezer saved prep time without sacrificing flavor or texture.
- Don’t Skip the Stir: I once forgot to stir halfway and ended up with burnt fruit on one side—so set a timer and stir to keep everything cooking evenly.
- Blend with Care: Pulsing instead of fully blending keeps a lovely jam texture rather than turning it too jelly-like.
- Jar Cleanliness Matters: Wiping the rim before sealing stops jarring issues and keeps your jam tasting fresh longer.
How to Serve Festive Cranberry Strawberry Crockpot Jam Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping a dollop of this jam with a light sprinkle of fresh thyme or a tiny pinch of grated orange zest right before serving—it adds a subtle herbal touch that really elevates the flavor. If you’re serving it on brunch waffles or toast, a sliver of cream cheese or a swirl of mascarpone is a game changer.
Side Dishes
This jam pairs beautifully with warm buttered toast, freshly baked scones, or even simple vanilla yogurt for breakfast. During holiday breakfasts, I like serving it alongside fluffy pancakes or drizzled over oatmeal—it gives a wonderful burst of flavor and color.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday gifting, I like to jar this jam in pretty mason jars, tie them with festive ribbon, and include a handwritten label with serving ideas. Another fun idea I tried was layering this jam in parfait glasses with whipped cream and crushed ginger cookies for an easy, show-stopping dessert that’s perfect for parties.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover jam stored in airtight jars in the fridge, where it lasts up to two weeks. I always recommend storing in small jars or containers so you don’t have to open a large batch at once—keeping the rest fresh longer.
Freezing
This jam freezes wonderfully; I portion it out in freezer-safe containers or bags. When you’re ready to enjoy more, just thaw in the fridge overnight. The texture stays nice and the flavor holds up perfectly.
Reheating
If the jam firms up too much in the fridge or freezer, a gentle warm-up in a saucepan or microwave for 20-30 seconds loosens it back up nicely without changing the flavor. Just be sure to stir it gently as it heats to keep that lovely texture.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen fruit for the Festive Cranberry Strawberry Crockpot Jam Recipe?
Absolutely! Frozen cranberries and strawberries work just as well as fresh in this recipe. I actually prefer them sometimes because they save prep time and give consistent results. Just no need to thaw them—put them in the crockpot frozen and they’ll cook down perfectly.
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How long does this jam keep in the fridge?
It keeps fresh in the refrigerator for about two weeks when stored in a clean, airtight jar. I recommend using clean spoons each time to avoid contamination and maximize shelf life.
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Can I make this jam without the spices?
Yes! The spices add depth and a festive touch, but the jam will still taste delicious without them. If you want a more straightforward berry flavor, simply skip the spices or add just a small amount of cinnamon for warmth.
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Do I need to sterilize jars before storing the jam?
I recommend using clean jars that have been washed thoroughly in hot, soapy water. For longer storage or gifting, sterilizing jars is a great idea, but for refrigerator jams that will be used within a couple of weeks, cleaning thoroughly is enough.
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Can I adjust the sweetness of this jam?
You can! Feel free to experiment with the sugar amounts to suit your taste. Just keep in mind reducing sugar too much can affect the jam’s consistency. Using alternatives like honey or maple syrup adds sweetness with a different flavor profile you might enjoy.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how the Festive Cranberry Strawberry Crockpot Jam Recipe captures all the cozy warmth of the holidays in a simple jar. Whenever I make it, it brings back memories of chilly mornings and festive gatherings, and my family always goes crazy for it. I hope you find this recipe as comforting and fun to make as I do. Trust me, once you’ve tried making jam this easy and flavorful, you’ll want to keep it in your recipe arsenal for every season. So grab your crockpot, your favorite jar, and let’s get cooking — your tastebuds will thank you!
Print
Festive Cranberry Strawberry Crockpot Jam Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: About 4 cups of jam
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This festive Christmas Jam Crockpot Recipe combines fresh cranberries and strawberries with aromatic spices and sugars, slow-cooked to perfection in a crockpot. The result is a rich, flavorful homemade jam with a warm holiday twist, perfect for spreading on toast, gifting, or adding to your seasonal meals.
Ingredients
Fruit
- 1 ½ pounds cranberries, fresh or frozen
- 1 ½ pounds strawberries, fresh or frozen
Sugars
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 ¼ cups light brown sugar
Spices
- 2 teaspoons ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
Optional
- Zest of one orange or 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cranberries, strawberries, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and the ground spices (allspice, cinnamon, and ginger) into the crockpot. Stir thoroughly to blend all the ingredients evenly.
- Cook the Mixture: Cover the crockpot with the lid and set it to cook on high for four hours. Be sure to stir the mixture once halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.
- Blend the Jam: After cooking, use an immersion blender directly in the crockpot or transfer the hot fruit mixture in batches to a countertop blender. Pulse just two to three times to break up the fruit while maintaining a slightly chunky, jam-like texture.
- Jar the Jam: Carefully ladle the hot jam into clean glass jars. Wipe the rims to remove any spills, then lightly secure the lids without overtightening to allow for cooling.
- Cool and Refrigerate: Let the jars cool at room temperature until fully cooled. Once cooled, refrigerate the jam overnight to allow the flavors to meld and the jam to thicken further before serving.
Notes
- Using fresh or frozen berries works equally well; there is no need to thaw frozen fruit before cooking.
- If desired, add the zest of one orange or a tablespoon of lemon juice to brighten the flavor profile.
- Make sure the jars and lids are sterilized to extend the shelf life of the jam.
- Stirring the jam during cooking helps prevent burning and encourages even softening of the fruit.
- This jam can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks or frozen for longer storage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 2mg
- Fat: 0.1g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 0.3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
