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    Home » Breakfast/Brunch » Cranberry Rosemary Christmas Jam

    Cranberry Rosemary Christmas Jam

    Published: Dec 2, 2021 · Modified: Nov 22, 2022 by Andrea Howe · This post may contain affiliate links.

    35 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Christmas jam recipe combines tart cranberries, sweet strawberries and herby rosemary, to make a wonderful seasonal treat. And because it’s stored in the freezer, it’s a much simpler process than traditional jam making.

    Cranberry rosemary Christmas jam jars on a wooden background, surrounded by oranges and cranberries

    Homemade jam makes the perfect hostess gift and is one of those homemade gifts that is truly made with love. I’ve been making freezer jam for the last year, and I love how simple of a process it is, and so much less intimidating than using traditional canning techniques. I also love how customizable it is. You can swap out different kinds of berries and use holiday spices like ground cloves and cinnamon instead of the rosemary. It tastes wonderful topped on baked brie, alongside sugared cranberries.

    Jump to:
    • Why this recipe works
    • Ingredients
    • Step-by- step instructions
    • Recipe FAQ’s
    • Other helpful tips
    • Cranberry Rosemary Christmas Jam (Freezer Jam)

    Why this recipe works

    • Quick and easy! Freezer jam takes the intimidation out of traditional canning because there’s no need for hot water baths. Safety concerns arise out of traditional jam making because you must make it shelf-stable for storing. Freezer jam is stored in the freezer and can therefore be made quickly, without the need of high pressure or water bath finishing methods.
    • Delicious and fresh! Unique flavors combine with fresh fruit to make a really beautiful looking and delicious tasting jam that you will love gifting.
    • Healthyish! Free of artificial flavors, color and preservatives, this homemade jam is also loaded with rich antioxidants and nutrients thanks to the strawberries and cranberries.
    white bowls filled with cranberries and strawberries on a wood background

    Ingredients

    • Fresh cranberries – feel free to also use frozen, but since fresh is so plentiful and inexpensive during the holidays, I suggest using fresh.
    • Fresh strawberries – you can use frozen fruit if your local store doesn’t have a good selection of fresh, just make sure to first thaw them.
    • Sugar – homemade jam requires sugar, lots of it! Sugar acts as a powerful preservative in the canning process, and while you can safely use less sugar, it may compromise the jam’s ability to set up. This is a pretty thorough explanation of the role sugar plays in making jam.
    • Orange juice and zest – the orange juice and zest helps cut down on the tartness of the cranberries and also gives it a lovely flavor.
    • Powdered or liquid pectin – I used Sure Jell powdered pectin but you can also use liquid pectin if that’s all you have. They go in at different times of the jam making process though, so read the recipe notes for details about using liquid pectin.
    • Fresh rosemary – most holiday jams call for cinnamon and cloves, but I wanted to switch it up and infuse this jam with the earthy, herby flavor of fresh rosemary. Do not use dried rosemary, as it would be too difficult to extract from the jam.
    Sliced cheese and crackers topped with cranberry jam

    Step-by- step instructions

    Traditional freezer jam typically does not require cooking fruit, one of the reasons it is so convenient and wonderful! But because we’re making a strawberry cranberry jam, we will need to cook the cranberries for a bit.

    Begin by preparing the strawberries. Remove the stems and add them to a medium sized bowl. and crush them with a potato masher. If your berries aren’t super ripe, you can add 1 tbsp of sugar to help release the juices a bit. Strain off the excess liquid by pushing through a fine mesh strainer, and set aside.

    step by step process pictures of making Christmas jam recipe

    Next, prepare the cranberries. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven set to high heat, add 4 cups of sugar, 1 cup of orange juice (you can add water to the squeezed juice to make 1 cup), orange zest and the powdered pectin. Whisk well to combine and bring to a gentle boil, then add the cranberries and rosemary sprigs.

    Bring the cranberries to a full rolling boil and cook for about 5-7 minutes, and with a wooden spoon, smash some of the cranberries as they cook. This will create a nice mix of whole and crushed fruit, yielding a slightly chunky jam texture.

    Pull cranberries off the heat and carefully fetch out the rosemary sprigs. Add the crushed strawberries and stir to combine.

    small mason jars filled with homemade cranberry strawberry rosemary jam tied with ribbon

    Immediately fill clean jars with the jam, leaving ½″ space at the top. Wipe jars clean and place lids on jars. Allow to come to room temperature for 24 hours, and then store in the fridge for 1-2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to a year!

    Recipe FAQ’s

    Why don’t you need to do a boiling water bath for freezer jam?

    A hot water bath helps preserve homemade jams safely so they can be stored safely on the shelf. Because you store freezer jam in the freezer, no need to make the shelf-stable.

    Can I safely lower the amount of sugar in this recipe?

    I have safely used 1 less cup of sugar with the same volume of fruit in other jams, and it works fine. When using fresh fruit with high acid content, and also storing in the freezer, the sugar as a preservative becomes less of a safety concern. However because cranberries are so tart, I recommend using all 4 cups or else it might affect the sweetness of the jam.

    Does it matter if I use liquid or powdered pectin?

    You can use whichever you have on hand, you just add the pectin at different times of the canning process. The difference in usage is that instead of adding the pectin at the end of cooking like you do with liquid, you whisk the powdered pectin into the sugar before you combine it with the fruit.

    What if my jam looks runny?

    Freezer jam will often set up as it sits over the next day, so don’t be too concerned. Because we’re using fresh fruit, I have noticed that the consistency can vary a bit depending on the water content of the fruit, As long as the jam is not liquidy, it will still taste delicious!

    Holiday homemade jam gifts in small mason jars

    Other helpful tips

    Wrap each jar with a bit of ribbon and attach gift label or create your own custom Christmas jam labels and gift throughout the holiday season. Just make sure to include instructions for safely storing.

    Serve this quick jam Christmas morning with Ina’s buttermilk cheddar biscuits or alongside a beautiful Christmas charcuterie board. It tastes delicious with creamy or firm mild cheeses.

    Christmas spread on a wooden board, with crackers and cheese, Christmas jam, clementine oranges. rosemary sprigs and spools of ribbon
    • Breakfast Christmas Quiche
    • Easy & Elegant Christmas Charcuterie Board
    • Ginger Sugared Cranberries – 3 Ingredients
    • Festive White Chocolate Holiday Chex Mix

    Tried this recipe? Please leave a comment and/or rating, letting me know how you enjoyed it! Connect with me on Instagram and Pinterest, and never miss a post by signing up for my weekly newsletter!

    Cranberry Rosemary Christmas Jam (Freezer Jam)

    This Christmas jam recipe combines tart cranberries, sweet strawberries and herby rosemary, to make a wonderful seasonal treat and holiday gift. And because it's stored in the freezer, it's a much simpler process than traditional jam making.
    5 from 12 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 13 minutes
    Cook Time: 7 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 6 ½ pint
    Author:Andrea

    Equipment

    • ½ pint Mason jars

    Ingredients

    • 1 package Cranberries
    • 2 cups Strawberries
    • 4 cups Sugar
    • 1 cup Fresh squeezed orange juice can add water to orange juice to make a full cup
    • Zest of 1 orange
    • 2-3 Rosemary sprigs
    • 1 box Sure-jell powdered pectin can use liquid see recipe notes
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Remove the stems from the strawberries, add them to a medium sized bowl. and crush them with a potato masher. If your berries aren't super ripe, you can add 1 tbsp of sugar to help release the juices a bit. Strain off the excess liquid by pushing through a fine mesh strainer, and set aside.
    • In a large saucepan or Dutch oven set to high heat, add 4 cups of sugar, 1 cup of orange juice, orange zest and the powdered pectin. Whisk well to combine and bring to a gentle boil, then add the cranberries and rosemary sprigs.
    • Bring the cranberries to a full rolling boil and cook for about 5-7 minutes, and with a wooden spoon, smash some of the cranberries as they cook.
    • Pull cranberries off the heat and carefully fetch out the rosemary sprigs. Add the crushed strawberries and stir to combine.
    • Immediately fill clean jars with the jam, leaving ½" space at the top. Wipe jars clean and place lids on jars. Allow to come to room temperature for 24 hours, and then store in the fridge for 1-2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to a year!

    Notes

    You can use powdered or liquid pectin, you just add the pectin at different times of the canning process. The difference in usage is that instead of adding the pectin at the end of cooking like you do with liquid, you whisk the powdered pectin into the sugar before you combine it with the fruit.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 550kcal | Carbohydrates: 141g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 159mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 139g | Vitamin A: 89IU | Vitamin C: 49mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @Howe.We.Live or tag #HoweWeLiveRecipes!
    « Breakfast Christmas Quiche
    Braised Christmas Brisket Recipe with Dried Fruit »

    About Andrea Howe

    Andrea Howe is the recipe developer and photographer of Howe We Live. She is also a seasoned home cook of over 20 years, for her family of 5. Andrea has spent over 10 years in the food industry, writing for various publications including Babble and Disney. Her work has appeared in Real Simple, Taste of Home, Yahoo, Buzzfeed and ABC News.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Adriana says

      December 12, 2021 at 10:08 pm

      5 stars
      Adding rosemary to this jam does make it super special. Now is my to-go recipe for the holidays perfect for desserts too.

      Reply
    2. Heidy McCallum says

      December 12, 2021 at 9:23 pm

      5 stars
      This is an amazing looking recipe that I bet my husband would love!! Thanks for the specific instructions and information! Happy Holidays!

      Reply
    3. Tammy says

      December 12, 2021 at 10:47 am

      5 stars
      I’ve never thought of making cranberry jam but this looks and sounds wonderful with toast, sandwiches, or tea cakes. I have to make this this season!

      Reply
    4. LaKita says

      December 12, 2021 at 9:58 am

      5 stars
      This jam is so sweet and delicious! Love how simple it is to make and I will definitely be sharing it this season as gifts.

      Reply
    5. Lauren Michael Harris says

      December 11, 2021 at 1:46 pm

      5 stars
      I love cranberry jam! This will pair perfectly with out meat and cheese board at Christmas this year!

      Reply
    6. Amanda Dixon says

      December 08, 2021 at 9:48 am

      5 stars
      This jam was delicious! I loved the savory quality the rosemary added to balance the sweeter notes. Perfect for gift giving too!

      Reply
    7. Marta says

      December 07, 2021 at 12:57 pm

      5 stars
      I was looking for a new jam to add to my thumbprint cookies and stumbled upon this one. It made a world of difference. That combo of strawberry and cranberry is divine!

      Reply
    8. Heather says

      December 07, 2021 at 10:39 am

      with the freezer method – it’s such a simple way to make something delicious out of my leftover rosemary!

      Reply
    9. Colleen says

      December 07, 2021 at 9:26 am

      5 stars
      I always make cranberry sauce but never thought to make jam! I know it will taste as lovely as it looks and I can’t wait to give this a try!

      Reply
    10. Bernice says

      December 06, 2021 at 10:47 pm

      5 stars
      I love the idea of a herb jam for Christmas and this would be a great gift to make someone. I bet they’re amazing on freshly baked scones.

      Reply
    11. Taylor Christine says

      December 04, 2021 at 9:54 pm

      5 stars
      The rosemary really gives this a special flavor. I look forward to gifting these jars of jam for christmas presents

      Reply

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    Welcome to Howe We Live. I’m Andrea, a passionate home cook and mother of 3. I’ve been cooking and writing about healthy eating for almost a decade, and my number one goal here is to help you develop the tools needed to throw together a great meal at home that is both delicious, and healthy-ish. All eaters are welcome here! Read More

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