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To make your Festive Spiced Christmas Jam, gather these simple ingredients: - 4 cups mixed berries (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries) - 2 cups sugar - 1/2 cup fresh orange juice - Zest of 1 orange - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1/4 cup lemon juice - 1 pouch fruit pectin (like Sure-Jell) You can add a few items to boost the flavor of your jam: - A splash of brandy or rum for warmth - A few cloves for a bold spice kick - A pinch of black pepper for a surprising twist These optional ingredients can make your jam even more festive and fun. If you can’t find some ingredients, here are some swaps: - Use any combination of berries you prefer, like blueberries or cranberries. - Swap sugar with honey or maple syrup for a natural sweetness. - If you lack fresh orange juice, bottled juice will work too. These substitutions will keep your jam delicious and allow you to customize it to your taste. Enjoy making your jam! {{ingredient_image_1}} To start, gather all your ingredients. You will need mixed berries, sugar, orange juice, and spices. I prefer using strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries. They mix well and taste great together. You will also need lemon juice and fruit pectin to help the jam set. 1. In a large pot, combine the mixed berries. Use a fork or potato masher to mash them lightly. This helps release the juices. 2. Next, add the sugar, orange juice, orange zest, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and vanilla extract. Let this sit for about 10 to 15 minutes. This time allows the sugar to pull out more juice from the berries. 3. Now, stir in the lemon juice and fruit pectin. Make sure everything is well mixed. 4. Place the pot on medium-high heat. Bring the mixture to a rapid boil while stirring often. Once it boils, cook for 10 to 15 minutes. The jam will thicken and become gel-like during this time. To check if your jam is ready, take a small amount and place it on a cold plate. Let it cool for a minute. If it holds its shape, the jam is done. If it spreads too much, boil it for a few more minutes. This simple test helps ensure your jam has the right consistency. When making festive spiced Christmas jam, start with fresh berries. I love using strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries. They mix well together and create a great flavor. Use a fork or potato masher to mash the berries slightly. This step helps release their juices. After mixing in the sugar and spices, let everything sit for about 10-15 minutes. This allows the sugar to pull out more juice from the berries. Stir often while cooking. This keeps the jam from sticking to the pot. To get the right jam consistency, watch the cooking time closely. Cook the mixture over medium-high heat until it boils rapidly. Stir frequently to prevent burning. After about 10-15 minutes, test if it thickens. Use a cold plate; drop a bit of jam on it. If it holds its shape after cooling for a minute, it’s ready. If it’s still runny, boil for a few more minutes. Remember, the jam will thicken more as it cools. Sterilization is key for safe storage. First, wash your jars in hot, soapy water. Then, place them in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. This kills any germs. After making your jam, pour it into the warm jars while still hot. Seal them tightly. For long-term storage, process the jars in a boiling water bath for 5-10 minutes. This helps keep the jam fresh. Let the jars cool completely before storing them in a cool, dark place. Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: The quality of your berries and citrus will greatly affect the flavor of the jam, so opt for the freshest options available. Adjust Sweetness to Taste: Depending on the natural sweetness of your berries, you may want to adjust the amount of sugar used in the recipe. Check for Gel Consistency: If your jam doesn't seem to thicken, you can add a little more pectin and boil for a few additional minutes. Label Your Jars: Don't forget to label your jars with the date and contents; homemade jam makes great gifts and it's nice to know when it was made! {{image_2}} You can switch up the fruit in your jam for fun. Instead of mixed berries, try using peaches or apples. These fruits add a sweet twist. Mix in some cranberries for a tart flavor. Pairing fruits gives your jam a unique taste. You can even use pears or cherries. Each fruit brings its own charm to the jam. Spices can change the flavor of your jam. If you love warm spices, add cardamom or allspice. A hint of cloves can also warm up the taste. You could even toss in some chopped fresh mint for a fresh kick. Another good idea is to add a splash of rum or brandy. This gives a cozy holiday feel to your jam. If you want a healthier jam, think about sugar swaps. You can use honey or maple syrup instead of sugar. These natural sweeteners can cut down on refined sugar. Stevia or agave syrup are good choices too. Just remember to adjust the amount based on the sweetness. These alternatives keep the jam tasty without all the sugar. To store your festive spiced Christmas jam, first, make sure it cools completely. Once cooled, transfer the jam into clean, sterilized jars. Seal the jars tightly with lids. Keep the jars in a cool, dark place, like a pantry. If you plan to use the jam soon, the fridge works too. Always use a clean spoon when scooping out jam. This helps keep it fresh longer. Homemade jam can last up to one year if stored properly. If you refrigerate it, it can last up to three weeks once opened. Check for signs of spoilage, like mold or off smells. If you notice any, it's best to throw it out. Always label your jars with the date you made them. This way, you know how long they’ve been stored. Gifting homemade jam is a sweet gesture. For a lovely presentation, use cute jars with colorful lids. You can tie a ribbon around the jar for a festive touch. Add a small tag with the jam's name and date made. This personal touch makes the gift special. You can also include a recipe card for a dish that pairs well with the jam. Yes, you can use frozen berries. They work well in jams. Just thaw them first. This helps them mix nicely with the other ingredients. Frozen berries may also give your jam a nice texture. To check if the jam is set, use a cold plate. Place a small amount of jam on it. Wait a minute. If it holds its shape, it is ready. If it spreads too much, boil it a little longer. Testing this way gives you the perfect jam texture. Processing jars in a boiling water bath is not always needed. It helps seal the jars for longer storage. If you plan to eat the jam quickly, you can skip this step. For long-term storage, I recommend processing them for about 5-10 minutes. This keeps your jam safe and fresh. Making homemade jam is fun and rewarding. You learned about key ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and helpful tips. Using optional flavors or alternative fruits can boost your jam's taste. Proper storage keeps it fresh longer. Remember, using frozen berries works well, and testing for doneness is crucial. With practice, you'll feel confident in your jam-making skills. Enjoy the process and share your tasty creations with friends and family!

Festive Spiced Christmas Jam

A delightful jam made with mixed berries and warm spices, perfect for the holiday season.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Condiment
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups mixed berries (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries)
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 0.5 cups fresh orange juice
  • 1 unit zest of 1 orange
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 0.25 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 0.25 cups lemon juice
  • 1 pouch fruit pectin (like Sure-Jell)

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot, combine the mixed berries and mash them slightly with a fork or potato masher to release some juices.
  • Stir in the sugar, fresh orange juice, orange zest, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and vanilla extract. Let the mixture sit for about 10-15 minutes to allow the sugar to draw out the juices from the berries.
  • Add the lemon juice and fruit pectin to the berry mixture and stir until well combined.
  • Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a rapid boil, stirring frequently. Once boiling, continue to cook for about 10-15 minutes, or until the jam thickens and reaches a gel-like consistency.
  • To test if the jam is ready, place a small amount on a cold plate; if it holds its shape after cooling for a minute, it's done. If not, boil a few minutes longer.
  • Remove the pot from heat and let the jam cool slightly before transferring it to sterilized jars.
  • Seal the jars tightly and process in a boiling water bath for 5-10 minutes for preservation (optional). Allow the jam to cool completely.

Notes

Optional boiling water bath for preservation.
Keyword berry, holiday, jam