Top 5 Christmas Jam Recipes – Festive & Delicious to Try This Year!

Top 5 Christmas Jam Recipes You’ll Love

When the holiday season comes around, kitchens transform into bustling hubs of festive creativity. From cookies to cakes, food is a universal language for celebration—and homemade jams are an often-overlooked holiday staple. 

Sweet, tangy, and bursting with seasonal flavors, jams are not just delicious spreads but also make thoughtful, heartfelt gifts. If you’re looking to elevate your Christmas celebrations, these five Christmas jam recipes are sure to bring festive cheer to your table.

Why Homemade Jams Are Perfect for the Holidays

Homemade jams add a touch of magic to the season. They embody care and effort, two things synonymous with the spirit of Christmas. Not to mention, crafting fresh jams at home allows you to control the ingredients and flavors, ensuring a healthier and tastier option compared to store-bought versions. 

Additionally, you can enjoy them as a glaze on a Christmas ham or as a topping for toast at breakfast due to their versatility.

Now, let’s introduce you to five festive jam recipes that are simple to prepare and impossible to resist!

The Top 5 Christmas Jam Recipes You’ll Love

1. Cranberry Orange Spice Jam 

  A tangy burst of cranberries with the warmth of cinnamon and cloves makes this jam the perfect Christmas classic.

2. Apple Cinnamon Maple Jam 

  Sweet apples combined with earthy cinnamon and a dash of maple syrup—fall meets winter in a jar!

3. Mulled Wine Plum Jam 

  Infuse red plums with the flavors of your favorite mulled wine. Think cinnamon sticks, oranges, and star anise.

4. Spiced Pear Ginger Jam 

  Juicy pears paired with fresh ginger and warm spices create an elegant, aromatic spread.

5. Mixed Berry and Vanilla Jam 

This is a medley of berries balanced with a hint of vanilla for a sweet and slightly tart indulgence.

Ready to get cooking? Here’s how to make each one!

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Christmas Jams

1. Cranberry Orange Spice Jam 

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups fresh cranberries 
• 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice 
• Zest of 1 orange 
• 1 cup sugar 
• ½ tsp cinnamon 
• ¼ tsp ground cloves 

Instructions: 

1. Combine cranberries, orange juice, and zest in a pot. Cook over medium heat until the cranberries pop. 
2. Add sugar, cinnamon, and cloves. Simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened. 
3. Transfer to sterilized jars while hot and seal.

2. Apple Cinnamon Maple Jam 

Ingredients: 

• 4 medium apples (peeled, cored, and diced) 
• ½ cup water 
• 1 tbsp lemon juice 
• 1 cup sugar 
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon 
• 2 tbsp pure maple syrup 

Instructions: 

1. Simmer the apples, water, and lemon juice until soft. Mash with a fork or blend for a smooth texture. 
2. Stir in sugar, cinnamon, and maple syrup. Cook over low heat until the jam thickens. 
3. Spoon into jars, seal, and cool.

3. Mulled Wine Plum Jam 

Ingredients: 

• 2 lbs red plums (pitted and chopped) 
• 1 cup red wine 
• 2 cups sugar 
• 2 cinnamon sticks 
• 2 star anise pods 

Instructions: 

1. Add plums, wine, sugar, cinnamon, and star anise to a pot. Bring to a gentle boil. 
2. Reduce heat and simmer for 30–40 minutes, stirring often, until the jam thickens. 
3. Remove the whole spices, pour into jars, and seal.

4. Spiced Pear Ginger Jam 

Ingredients: 

• 4 ripe pears (peeled, cored, and diced) 
• 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger 
• 1 cup sugar 
• ½ tsp nutmeg 
• ½ tsp cinnamon 

Instructions: 

1. Combine pears, ginger, sugar, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Cook over medium heat until the pears soften. 
2. Use a masher to achieve your preferred texture, then cook until it thickens. 
3. Pour into jars while hot and seal to store.

5. Mixed Berry and Vanilla Jam 

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries) 
• 1 cup sugar 
• 1 tsp vanilla extract 

Instructions: 

1. Mash berries in a saucepan and combine with sugar. Cook over medium heat until bubbling. 
2. Reduce heat and simmer for 20–30 minutes, until the mixture reaches your desired consistency. 
3. Stir in vanilla extract before transferring to jars.

Tips for Perfecting Your Jams

• Choose Ripe Fruits: Ripe fruits offer the best flavor and natural sweetness; avoid overripe fruits as they may taste fermented.
• Achieve the Right Consistency: Use a candy thermometer and look for a gel point around 220°F. Alternatively, use the “saucer test” by placing a spoonful on a cold plate—if it wrinkles when pushed, it’s ready.
• Preservation Techniques: Sterilize jars before filling them, and use airtight seals to maintain freshness for months.

Why Homemade Jams Are Healthier

Store-bought jams often contain excessive sugar, preservatives, and artificial flavors. By making jams at home, you control the ingredients, using fresh fruits and moderate amounts of sugar. What’s more, you can incorporate nutrient-dense elements such as fresh ginger, cinnamon, or even chia seeds for added fiber and antioxidants.

Aside from being healthier, homemade jams make excellent gifts, spreading not just cheer but also the joy of healthy eating during the holidays.

Sharing the Love: Packaging and Gifting Ideas

Homemade jams are a thoughtful and personal gift. Here are a few ways to make them even more special:

• Use mason jars with festive fabric covers and ribbons.
• Print or handwrite labels with the name of the jam and the manufacturing date.
• Pair the jar with a mini loaf of bread or scones for a delightful breakfast package.
• Include a small card with the recipe for an added personal touch.

Looking for professional packaging designs? Click here to buy printable jam labels.

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Read more: Top 15 Keto Snacks for Christmas

Bring the Festive Spirit to Your Kitchen

These Christmas jam recipes are more than just spreads for breakfast—they’re a celebration of flavor and tradition, a way to share love and creativity with friends and family. Whether you’re spreading it on toast, glazing a holiday roast, or gifting it to a loved one, your homemade jam will undoubtedly be the highlight of the season.

Which recipe are you trying first? Share your jam-making adventures with us and don’t forget to subscribe for even more holiday-inspired recipes.