Christmas jams are a special treat during the holiday season. These flavorful preserves combine festive ingredients like cranberries, strawberries, and warm spices to create sweet and tangy spreads.
They’re perfect for adding a touch of holiday cheer to your breakfast table or giving as homemade gifts.
These versatile preserves can elevate your holiday meals in many ways. You can spread them on warm biscuits, use them as fillings for thumbprint cookies, or pair them with cheese platters for entertaining.
From classic combinations like Spiced Christmas Jam to unique creations like Fig Rosemary Red Wine Jam, these recipes offer something for everyone to enjoy during the most wonderful time of the year.
1. Strawberry-Cranberry Bliss
Strawberry-Cranberry Bliss jam combines sweet strawberries with tart cranberries for a perfect holiday spread. This festive jam brings bright color and flavor to your Christmas table.
To make this jam, put cranberries and strawberries in a large pot with sugar. Add warm spices like cinnamon and cloves for that holiday feeling.
You’ll also want to include orange zest for a citrus kick. Bring the mixture to a boil for about a minute until the cranberries begin to pop.
Some recipes suggest using an immersion blender for a smoother texture. This jam makes a wonderful homemade gift during the holiday season.
2. Cinnamon-Orange Spice Jam
This festive jam combines the bright flavor of oranges with warm cinnamon for a perfect holiday spread. The orange zest adds a burst of citrus that balances the sweetness.
You can make this jam with just a few simple ingredients: oranges, sugar, and cinnamon. Some recipes also include a touch of ginger, allspice, or cloves for extra warmth.
This jam works well on morning toast, scones, or as a glaze for holiday ham. You can also use it as a thoughtful homemade gift for friends and family during the Christmas season.
Store in decorative jars with a pretty label for a personal touch that brings holiday cheer to any kitchen.
3. Classic Christmas Bing Cherry Jam
This deep red, chunky jam bursts with fresh cherry flavor and a hint of almond. It’s a blue ribbon winner that will impress your holiday guests.
To make this festive jam, you’ll need ripe Bing cherries, sugar, lemon juice, and a touch of almond extract. The rich color makes it perfect for Christmas gift-giving.
For best results, use 3 parts sugar to 4 parts fruit puree instead of equal amounts. This gives you a less sweet, more fruit-forward jam that lets the cherry flavor shine.
Pair this jam with buttery scones, toast, or use it as a topping for holiday desserts.
4. Cranberry-Orange Wine Jelly
This festive jelly combines the tartness of cranberries with the bright flavor of oranges and a splash of wine. The wine adds depth while complementing the fruit flavors perfectly.
You’ll need fresh cranberries, orange zest, and a dry white or red wine of your choice. Some recipes call for cinnamon or star anise to add holiday warmth.
This jelly sets beautifully with a vibrant ruby color that looks stunning in clear glass jars. It makes an elegant addition to your holiday cheese board or as a glaze for roasted meats.
The balance of sweet, tart, and subtle wine notes creates a sophisticated spread that’s perfect for gift-giving during the Christmas season.
5. Apricot Honey Holiday Spread
This delicious jam combines sweet apricots with natural honey for a festive spread that’s both healthy and flavorful. The recipe uses about 1½ pounds of apricots and ¾ cup of honey.
Adding fresh thyme leaves creates a unique flavor profile that elevates this jam beyond ordinary fruit preserves. The herb adds a subtle earthiness that pairs wonderfully with the bright apricot flavor.
This spread makes a thoughtful homemade Christmas gift. Package it in small decorative jars with festive labels for a personal touch. Your friends and family will appreciate this sweet treat during the holiday season.
6. Ginger Peach Festive Preserve
Ginger Peach Festive Preserve brings warmth and brightness to your holiday table. This jam combines sweet, juicy peaches with spicy ginger for a perfect balance of flavors.
The recipe typically calls for about 12 cups of peeled and chopped peaches mixed with both fresh and candied ginger. Some versions include vanilla beans for added depth and complexity.
This preserve makes an excellent gift for friends and family during the Christmas season. Package it in decorative jars with festive labels for a homemade touch that everyone will appreciate.
You can spread this jam on toast, scones, or use it as a glaze for holiday ham or roasted poultry.
7. Spiced Raspberry Delight
This festive jam combines sweet raspberries with warm holiday spices for a perfect Christmas treat. Fresh raspberries provide a bright base while cinnamon, ginger, and cloves add that cozy winter feeling.
Making Spiced Raspberry Delight is simple. You’ll need about 4 cups of raspberries, sugar, lemon juice, and your favorite holiday spices. A touch of vanilla extract enhances the flavor profile.
This vibrant red jam makes a beautiful homemade gift. Package it in small jars with decorative labels and fabric toppers for a thoughtful present. Your friends and family will appreciate this sweet, spiced spread on Christmas morning toast or scones.
8. Winter Apple-Cranberry Jam
Winter Apple-Cranberry Jam brings together sweet apples and tart cranberries for a perfectly balanced festive spread. This four-ingredient jam captures the essence of holiday flavors in each spoonful.
You can easily make this seasonal treat with red apples, cranberries, sugar, and a hint of lemon for brightness. The combination creates a beautiful ruby-red color that looks stunning in glass jars.
This jam pairs wonderfully with turkey sandwiches, breakfast pastries, or simply spread on warm toast. The festive flavor profile makes it an excellent homemade gift option during the holiday season.
For gift-giving, consider adding decorative labels to your jars to highlight this special seasonal creation.
9. Holiday Fig and Walnut Conserve
This festive jam combines the rich sweetness of figs with the nutty crunch of walnuts. It’s perfect for your holiday table or as a thoughtful homemade gift.
The basic recipe requires just a few ingredients: fresh figs, walnuts, honey, and a splash of lemon juice. You don’t need pectin for this jam as figs naturally contain enough to set properly.
For the best flavor, choose ripe figs that yield slightly to pressure. Chop them coarsely before cooking to maintain some texture in the final product.
This conserve pairs wonderfully with cheese boards, morning toast, or even as a glaze for holiday ham.
10. Mulled Wine Marmalade
Mulled Wine Marmalade combines the warming spices of mulled wine with the brightness of citrus. This festive spread captures the essence of holiday cheer in every jar.
To make this marmalade, you’ll need frozen raspberries, red wine, orange juice, mulled wine spices, orange peel, and sugar. Simply combine these ingredients in a pot and heat over medium-high.
The tartness of cranberries can also be added to complement the citrusy sweetness of oranges. This creates a balanced flavor that’s both refreshing and comforting.
This jam makes a wonderful homemade gift or a special addition to your holiday breakfast table. Spread it on toast or scones for a taste of Christmas morning.
11. Peppermint Sweet Twist
This refreshing jam brings the cool taste of the holidays to your breakfast table. Peppermint jam combines fresh mint leaves with sugar and water for a simple but festive spread.
To make this unique jam, gather about a cup of fresh mint leaves, a cup and a quarter of water, and half a cup of sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil, then simmer until it reaches the right consistency.
The bright mint flavor pairs wonderfully with chocolate desserts or spread on buttered toast. You can also add a drop of red food coloring for a more festive appearance.
This jam makes a perfect homemade gift that stands out from traditional fruit varieties.
12. Holiday Persimmon Preserve
Persimmon jam is a wonderful holiday treat that requires minimal ingredients. Unlike other preserves, ripe persimmons have enough natural sweetness and pectin that you don’t need to add sugar or thickeners.
This winter delight works perfectly as a homemade gift during the Christmas season. The rich, honey-like flavor of Fuyu persimmons creates a jam that’s both unique and festive.
You can spread this bright orange preserve on toast or add a dollop to your morning yogurt or oatmeal. Some recipes include warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and cloves to enhance the holiday feel.
For best results, make sure your persimmons are fully ripened before turning them into this delicious preserve.
13. Winter Berry Fusion
Winter Berry Fusion jam captures the essence of the holiday season in a jar. This festive mixture combines cranberries, blueberries, and sweet apples for a balanced flavor profile.
You’ll need about 350g of cranberries, 750g of blueberries (fresh or frozen work equally well), and 500g of grated sweet apples. Add some citrus brightness with the zest and juice of 3 clementines.
The cooking process takes only about 30 minutes, making this an efficient holiday gift option. The deep red color with hints of blue creates a visually striking jar that looks as good as it tastes.
This jam pairs wonderfully with holiday breads, cheeses, or simply spread on toast for a festive breakfast treat.
14. Ginger Orange Winter Jam
Ginger Orange Winter Jam brings warmth to cold winter days with its bright flavors. This jam combines fresh oranges with spicy ginger for a perfect balance of sweet and zesty notes.
To make this jam, you’ll need oranges, sugar, fresh ginger, and a touch of cinnamon. The orange zest adds extra flavor and a beautiful aroma to the mixture.
This jam works wonderfully on morning toast, scones, or as a glaze for holiday ham. You can also use it as a thoughtful homemade gift during the Christmas season.
The vibrant orange color and warming ginger make this jam a festive addition to your holiday table or breakfast spread.
15. Pineapple Cranberry Relish
Pineapple Cranberry Relish offers a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors that brightens any holiday table. This vibrant condiment combines fresh cranberries with chunks of juicy pineapple for a festive touch.
To make this relish, combine cranberries, pineapple chunks with juice, sugar, lemon juice, and orange zest in a pot over low heat. Stir until the mixture begins to simmer and the cranberries start to pop.
This versatile relish works wonderfully alongside turkey or ham. You can also use it as a topping for crackers with cream cheese for an easy holiday appetizer.
Store in decorative jars to create thoughtful homemade gifts for friends and family during the Christmas season.
16. Nutmeg Pear Jam
Nutmeg Pear Jam brings a warm, spicy flavor to your holiday table. This jam combines ripe pears with nutmeg for a festive treat that’s perfect for Christmas morning.
You can make this simple jam by cooking chopped pears with sugar and a generous sprinkle of freshly grated nutmeg. The nutmeg adds a distinctive warmth that pairs beautifully with the sweet pears.
Spread this jam on toast, biscuits, or use it as a glaze for holiday ham. You can also add it to cheese boards for a sweet contrast to savory cheeses.
For extra flavor, try adding a hint of vanilla or cinnamon to complement the nutmeg. This jam makes a thoughtful homemade gift for friends and family.
17. Cranberry-Hibiscus Blend
This festive jam combines tart cranberries with floral hibiscus for a unique holiday treat. The hibiscus (also known as Jamaica or roselle) adds a deep ruby color and slightly tangy flavor that complements the cranberries perfectly.
To make this jam, you’ll need fresh cranberries, sugar, orange juice, orange zest, and dried hibiscus flowers. The hibiscus can be added in a tea pouch or small cloth bag for easy removal after cooking.
The process is simple – combine the ingredients in a saucepan and simmer until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens. The natural pectin in cranberries helps this jam set beautifully.
This vibrant red jam makes gorgeous gifts in small jars with festive ribbons. Try it on toast, scones, or as a glaze for holiday meats.
18. Cherry-Vanilla Spirit Jam
Cherry-Vanilla Spirit Jam brings together sweet cherries and warm vanilla for a festive treat. This jam combines fresh or frozen cherries with vanilla extract and a splash of your favorite spirit for depth.
To make it, bring cherries, lemon juice, pectin, and vanilla to a rolling boil. Mash the cherries as they cook.
Let the mixture boil for one minute, then stir in sugar.
For a holiday twist, add a tablespoon of rum or bourbon. The alcohol enhances the vanilla notes and adds complexity to the flavor.
This jam makes a thoughtful homemade gift. Package in small jars with festive ribbons for Christmas giving.
19. Pomegranate Spiced Jelly
Pomegranate spiced jelly brings a festive touch to your holiday table with its gorgeous ruby color. This jelly combines the tart flavor of pomegranate juice with warming spices perfect for Christmas celebrations.
To make this seasonal treat, you’ll need to combine pomegranate juice with sugar and bring it to a boil. Some recipes add cinnamon, cloves, and allspice to enhance the holiday flavor profile.
For a twist, you can incorporate chili powder or flakes for a subtle heat that contrasts with the sweetness.
This jelly makes an excellent homemade gift during the holidays when presented in decorative jars with festive labels.
20. Cranberry-Mango Medley
This bright and flavorful jam combines tart cranberries with sweet mango for a perfect balance. The contrasting flavors work wonderfully together, creating a spread that’s both festive and unique.
You can enhance the flavor by adding orange juice, which complements both fruits nicely.
This jam comes together quickly, making it ideal for busy holiday preparations.
Consider using this colorful medley as a holiday gift. The vibrant red cranberries and golden mango create a visually appealing jar that recipients will appreciate.
This recipe is great for beginners since cranberries naturally contain pectin, helping the jam set properly without much fuss.
21. Maple-Apple Delight
This festive jam combines the sweetness of apples with rich maple syrup for a truly seasonal treat. Fresh apples form the base of this delicious spread.
To make this jam, you’ll need about 4 cups of diced apples, maple syrup, lemon juice, and a bit of cinnamon. The maple syrup replaces traditional sugar for a more complex flavor.
The cooking process is simple, with apples simmering until soft before adding the maple syrup.
This jam works wonderfully on toast, scones, or as a topping for vanilla ice cream.
It makes a thoughtful homemade gift that captures the essence of winter flavors. Store in decorative jars with festive labels for a personal touch.
The Art of Making Christmas Jam
Creating a beautiful jar of Christmas jam involves more than just following a recipe. The perfect balance of tart and sweet flavors, along with proper preservation techniques, will ensure your holiday spread is both delicious and festive.
Ingredients That Make a Difference
The foundation of any Christmas jam starts with cranberries, which provide that signature tartness and vibrant red color. For a basic recipe, you’ll need about 4 cups of fresh cranberries, 2 cups of sugar, and 1 cup of water. Adding citrus elements like orange and lemon zest brings brightness and complexity to your jam.
Many recipes include strawberries for sweetness to balance the tartness of cranberries. Warming spices make a significant difference too. Consider adding:
- Cinnamon (1/2 teaspoon)
- Cloves (1/4 teaspoon)
- Nutmeg (a pinch)
The sweetness level is adjustable based on your preference. Sugar not only sweetens but also helps with preservation and texture. Some recipes incorporate diced apples, which add natural pectin to help your jam set properly.
Canning and Storing Techniques
Proper canning ensures your Christmas jam remains fresh and gift-worthy throughout the holiday season. Start by sterilizing your jars and lids in boiling water for 10 minutes. This prevents bacteria growth and spoilage.
When your jam reaches setting point (it coats the back of a spoon without immediately running off), it’s ready for canning.
Fill your jars leaving 1/4 inch headspace at the top. Wipe the rims clean before securing the lids.
Process filled jars in a water bath for 10 minutes to create a proper seal. You’ll hear a satisfying “pop” as jars cool, indicating a successful seal.
Properly canned Christmas jam can be stored for up to 1 year in a cool, dark place. Refrigerate after opening and use within 3 weeks. Label each jar with the date and ingredients for easy identification, especially if you’re giving them as gifts.
Pairing Christmas Jams With Foods
Christmas jams shine brightest when paired with the right foods. The sweet and spiced flavors can transform ordinary meals into festive experiences throughout the holiday season.
Perfect Breakfast Spreads
Christmas jams make breakfast extra special during the holiday season. Spread spiced Christmas jam on warm, fresh-baked biscuits for a simple yet satisfying morning treat.
For a classic pairing, toast some sourdough bread and top it with creamy butter and a dollop of cranberry or strawberry Christmas jam. The tangy-sweet flavor balances perfectly with the rich butter.
Try these popular breakfast pairings:
- Eggnog jam on vanilla scones
- Cinnamon-spiced berry jam on buttermilk pancakes
- Apple jam swirled into warm oatmeal
- Spiced Christmas jam on English muffins
Homemade jam also works wonderfully in yogurt parfaits. Layer plain Greek yogurt with granola and your favorite Christmas jam for a festive breakfast that’s both delicious and pretty.
Holiday Appetizer Combinations
Your Christmas jams can elevate holiday appetizers beyond the ordinary.
Spoon tart cranberry jam over a block of cream cheese and serve with crackers for an instant crowd-pleaser.
Create an impressive charcuterie board featuring:
- Aged cheddar with spiced apple jam
- Brie with cranberry-orange jam
- Goat cheese with fig jam
- Manchego with quince jam
The sweet-tart flavors of Christmas jams balance the richness of cheeses perfectly.
The spice notes in many holiday jams also complement savory meats like prosciutto or country ham.
For elegant bite-sized appetizers, fill mini pastry shells with brie and top with a small amount of Christmas jam before warming in the oven.
The melted cheese and warm jam create a delightful flavor combination your guests will love.
