If you’re on the hunt for a sweet, tangy, and utterly cozy treat for the holiday season, you’re going to want to make this Festive Cranberry Strawberry Crockpot Jam Recipe. It’s one of those recipes I stumble on that instantly became a holiday staple in my kitchen — super simple to put together and perfectly captures all the festive flavors you want this time of year. Plus, using the crockpot means you can set it and forget it, freeing up your time for decorating or sipping hot cocoa. Stick with me—I’ll walk you through every step to get that jam just right.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Slow Cooking: The crockpot does all the heavy lifting, so you just add ingredients and walk away.
- Perfect Holiday Flavors: Cranberries and strawberries paired with warm spices create a jam bursting with festive cheer.
- Versatility: It’s fantastic on toast, swirled into yogurt, or even as a topping for desserts.
- Natural Texture: Pulled back on blending so it’s not too smooth—you get that homemade, slightly chunky jam feel.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this jam lies in the fresh fruit and warm spices working together. I usually grab fresh cranberries and strawberries, but frozen works just as well if you want to save a trip to the store.
- Cranberries: Fresh or frozen, cranberries bring that signature tartness you want in this festive treat.
- Strawberries: Sweet and juicy, strawberries balance the tart cranberries beautifully.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness to cut through the tang.
- Light Brown Sugar: Brings a subtle caramel depth that makes the jam extra cozy.
- Ground Allspice: A wonderful warm spice that blends cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves notes—perfect for holiday vibes.
- Ground Cinnamon: Adds that familiar holiday warmth we all crave.
- Ground Ginger: A subtle kick that brightens and rounds out the flavor.
- Orange Zest or Lemon Juice (Optional): A little citrus zest or juice adds a refreshing brightness if you want to elevate the jam.
Variations
One of the things I love about this Festive Cranberry Strawberry Crockpot Jam Recipe is how easy it is to tailor to your tastes—whether you want it spicier, sweeter, or even a bit more citrusy. Feel free to make it your own!
- Less Sweet Version: I sometimes cut back the sugars by a quarter cup when I want a more tart kick—perfect on morning toast with creamy butter.
- Berry Mix-Up: Sometimes I swap strawberries for raspberries or add a handful of blueberries when I find a good deal at the market.
- Extra Citrus Zest: Adding a bit more orange zest really brightens it up if you want a little zing.
- Spice It Up: If you like more warmth, try a pinch of cloves or nutmeg in addition to the allspice.
How to Make Festive Cranberry Strawberry Crockpot Jam Recipe
Step 1: Combine Your Ingredients
This is the easiest part—just toss your cranberries, strawberries, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and all those delicious spices right into your crockpot. Give it a good stir so everything starts mingling nicely. If you’re using citrus zest or lemon juice, add it now for that vibrant lift. I love how the scent hits you already before it even starts cooking.
Step 2: Slow Cook and Stir
Set your crockpot to high and cover it up. You’re going to let it work its magic for about four hours. Around halfway through, pause and give the mixture a good stir. This helps break down the fruit evenly so you get that luscious jam texture without any burnt spots on the edges. When I first made this, I almost forgot that midway stir — it really made a difference.
Step 3: Blend for Jam-Like Texture
Once the jam is nice and soft, pull out your immersion blender (or a countertop blender if you don’t have one). Here’s the trick I discovered: pulse it only two or three times. You want to keep a bit of chunkiness for that authentic, homemade feel. Over-blending will make it too smooth, and I think it loses some of its charm.
Step 4: Jar It Up and Chill
Carefully ladle the hot jam into clean jars—don’t skip wiping the rims before you screw the lids on lightly. Let them cool at room temperature, then pop those jars into the fridge overnight. Waiting isn’t easy here — but this gives the flavors time to meld and thicken up perfectly.
Pro Tips for Making Festive Cranberry Strawberry Crockpot Jam Recipe
- Don’t Skip the Midway Stir: I learned the hard way that stirring halfway prevents burning and keeps the jam texture even.
- Balance Your Sweetness: Taste your berries before adding sugar—some batches are sweeter and might need less sugar than written.
- Use Citrus Zest for Brightness: Adding a bit of orange zest or lemon juice lifts the jam, especially if your cranberries feel extra tart.
- Pulse Don’t Puree: Keep the pulsing short with your blender to preserve texture; it makes all the difference in mouthfeel.
How to Serve Festive Cranberry Strawberry Crockpot Jam Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple with a sprinkle of fresh thyme or a twist of orange peel on top when serving jam on a cheese board—it adds that fresh color and an herbal note that pairs beautifully with the spices in the jam.
Side Dishes
This jam goes fantastic on warm buttered toast for breakfast or paired alongside brie and crackers for an easy holiday appetizer. I also love stirring a spoonful into vanilla Greek yogurt or drizzling it over pancakes or waffles for a sweet seasonal upgrade.
Creative Ways to Present
Once, I filled small mason jars as gifts, tied with a rustic twine bow and a cinnamon stick tucked in—everyone loved the personal touch for holiday gifting. For entertaining, try layering it in parfait glasses with whipped cream and granola for a festive dessert.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep my jam in sterilized glass jars in the fridge, where it happily lasts for up to three weeks. Make sure to use a clean spoon every time to avoid any contamination that might spoil it faster.
Freezing
If I end up making a large batch, I freeze some in freezer-safe containers. It thaws well in the fridge overnight with no loss of flavor or texture, which is perfect for prepping ahead of busy holiday mornings.
Reheating
When I want warm jam, I gently reheat small portions in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. Just be careful not to overheat so it doesn’t break down the lovely texture.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen berries for this Festive Cranberry Strawberry Crockpot Jam Recipe?
Absolutely! Frozen cranberries and strawberries work perfectly and might even give a slightly thicker texture since they release liquid as they thaw and cook. Just add them frozen directly to the crockpot and follow the recipe as usual.
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How long will this jam last in the refrigerator?
Stored in a clean, airtight jar, this cranberry strawberry jam will last about three weeks in the fridge. Always use a clean spoon when scooping to keep it fresh longer.
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Can I make this jam without an immersion blender?
Yes! If you don’t have an immersion blender, transfer the cooked fruit mixture in batches to a regular blender or food processor. Just pulse lightly two or three times to keep some texture instead of pureeing it completely smooth.
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Is this jam suitable for canning and long-term storage?
This recipe is designed for refrigerator storage. If you want to can it for shelf-stable storage, you’ll need to follow proper jam-canning procedures and test acidity carefully. Otherwise, enjoy it fresh from the fridge for best flavor and texture.
Final Thoughts
This Festive Cranberry Strawberry Crockpot Jam Recipe has become one of my favorite holiday treats to make and share. It’s just so easy, flavorful, and versatile that I always feel a little festive boost while making it—and the jar it fills is a thoughtful, homemade gift. I truly hope you give it a try—your kitchen will smell amazing and your taste buds will thank you. Trust me, once you make this, you’ll want to keep it on hand all season long.
Print
Festive Cranberry Strawberry Crockpot Jam Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: About 4 to 5 half-pint jars
- Category: Jam
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This festive Christmas Jam Crockpot Recipe combines fresh cranberries and strawberries with warm spices like allspice, cinnamon, and ginger. Slow-cooked in a crockpot and lightly blended for a perfect jam-like texture, this easy homemade jam is ideal for holiday breakfasts, gifts, or as a flavorful addition to your festive table.
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 cranberries, strawberries, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and all the spices (allspice, cinnamon, and ginger) into the crockpot. Stir all ingredients thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
- Cook in Crockpot: Cover the crockpot and set it to cook on high heat for four hours. Stir the mixture once halfway through the cooking time to prevent sticking and ensure consistent cooking.
- Blend Jam: After cooking, carefully blend the hot fruit mixture using an immersion blender directly in the crockpot or transfer in batches to a countertop blender. Pulse the blender two to three times only to maintain a jam-like chunky texture without pureeing it completely.
- Jar the Jam: Ladle the hot jam into clean, sterilized jars. Wipe the rims to remove any residue and secure the lids lightly to allow cooling without pressure buildup.
- Cool and Refrigerate: Let the jam cool to room temperature on the counter, then refrigerate the jars overnight. This chilling step helps the jam set perfectly before serving.
Notes
- For added citrus brightness, include the optional orange zest or lemon juice before cooking.
- Use clean, sterilized jars to ensure the jam keeps fresh longer.
- Stirring halfway through cooking helps prevent burning and promotes even cooking.
- The blending step is minimal to keep a pleasant chunky texture characteristic of homemade jam.
- This jam should be refrigerated and consumed within 2 to 3 weeks for optimal freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 75
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 2mg
- Fat: 0.1g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 0.2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
