The Ultimate Cranberry Orange Jam (Perfect Christmas Gift Recipes!)

Imagine the most beautiful, jewel-toned jam, sparkling with the festive colors of Christmas, bursting with the perfect balance of tart cranberries, sweet, bright orange, and a subtle warmth from a hint of cinnamon. That, my friends, is the simple, stunning, and utterly delicious magic of this homemade Cranberry Orange Jam. This is, without a doubt, the easiest and most elegant edible gift you will make this holiday season.

I promise you, there is no greater holiday pleasure than the scent of this jam simmering on the stove. It is the pure, unadulterated aroma of Christmas. It’s incredibly versatile—perfect for spreading on morning toast, dolloping on scones, serving with a cheese board, or even using as a glaze for roasted meats. A small jar of this vibrant, homemade goodness is a truly special gift.

Get ready to create the most beautiful and delicious holiday jam, a recipe so easy and impressive, you’ll find yourself making it all winter long.

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Why This Jam is the Perfect Christmas Gift Recipe

You are going to be completely amazed by the vibrant flavor and beautiful color of this simple jam. It’s a holiday treasure. Here’s why:

• The Perfect Festive Flavor Combination: The tartness of the cranberries, the bright sweetness of the orange, and the warmth of cinnamon create a flavor that is the pure essence of the holidays.
• Incredibly Quick and Easy to Make: This small-batch jam comes together on the stovetop in just 20 minutes from start to finish. No special canning equipment needed!
• A Stunning and Elegant Homemade Gift: Poured into a beautiful glass jar and adorned with a simple ribbon and tag, this vibrant, jewel-toned jam makes a sophisticated and thoughtful gift.

Recipe Snapshot

Your Shopping List for This Festive Jam

This beautiful jam comes together with just a handful of simple, fresh ingredients.

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→ For the Cranberry Orange Jam

• 2 heaping cups cranberries → Fresh or frozen cranberries both work perfectly for this recipe.
• ¾ cup granulated sugar → For the perfect balance of sweet and tart.
• ¼ cup water
• 1 orange → You’ll need both the zest and the fresh juice for that bright, vibrant orange flavor.
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon → Just a hint to add a lovely, warm holiday spice.

Let’s Make Jam! Your Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to fill your kitchen with the most amazing holiday aroma? It’s incredibly simple.

Part 1: The Simmer

1. Combine Everything: In a medium saucepan, combine all your ingredients: the cranberries, granulated sugar, fresh orange juice, water, orange zest, and cinnamon.
2. Bring to a Boil: Place the saucepan over medium heat. Stir the mixture occasionally as it heats up to help the sugar dissolve. Bring it to a gentle boil.
3. Simmer and Thicken: Once it’s boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 10-15 minutes. As it simmers, you’ll hear the cranberries start to pop and burst. The mixture will begin to thicken noticeably.

Part 2: The Finish and Cool

4. Mash to Your Liking (Optional): If you prefer a smoother jam, use a potato masher or the back of a wooden spoon to gently mash the cranberries against the side of the pan. For a chunkier, more rustic jam, just leave the berries as they are.
5. Cool Completely: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the jam cool completely to room temperature. Don’t worry if it still seems a little loose—it will thicken up significantly as it cools.
6. Store and Enjoy: Once cool, transfer the jam to a clean jar with a tight-fitting lid. Store it in the refrigerator. It’s ready to be enjoyed or gifted!

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Homemade Cranberry Orange Jam

This easy, 20-minute Cranberry Orange Jam is the perfect homemade Christmas gift! Bursting with the festive flavors of tart cranberries, sweet orange, and warm cinnamon, this beautiful, jewel-toned jam is foolproof and incredibly versatile.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 16

Course: Condiment

Cuisine: American, Vegan

Calories: 587

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 heaping cups cranberries fresh or frozen
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 zest of 1 orange
• 3-4 tablespoons fresh orange juice from ½ to 1 orange
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Equipment

• Medium Saucepan
• Clean jar with lid

Method

 

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar, orange juice, water, orange zest, and cinnamon.
2. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
3. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 10-15 minutes. The cranberries will burst and the mixture will thicken.
4. Optional: For a smoother jam, use the back of a spoon to mash some of the cranberries against the side of the pan.
5. Remove the pan from the heat and let the jam cool completely to room temperature. It will thicken significantly as it cools.
6. Transfer the cooled jam to a clean jar and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

Trust the Set: Cranberries are naturally high in pectin. The jam will seem loose when hot but will thicken considerably as it cools. Do not overcook it.

Storage: This is a refrigerator jam and must be stored in the fridge. For longer-term storage, it freezes beautifully for up to a year.

Versatility: This jam is delicious on toast, but also serves as a wonderful condiment for a cheese board or as a glaze for roasted turkey or chicken.

WiseRecipes’ Top Tips for Perfect Jam

These simple secrets will ensure your homemade jam is a festive success.

1. Don’t Be Afraid of the “Pop!” Hearing the cranberries pop as they cook is a good sign! It means their natural pectin is being released, which is what will thicken your jam beautifully.
2. Trust the Cooling Process. It’s easy to think your jam is too thin while it’s still hot on the stove. Resist the urge to overcook it! Cranberries are so high in natural pectin that the jam will thicken dramatically as it cools down to room temperature.
3. Zest Before You Juice. It’s much easier to zest a whole, firm orange than it is to zest a floppy, juiced one. Always zest your orange first, then cut it in half to squeeze the juice.
4. The Perfect Gift Presentation. For a beautiful gift, pour the finished jam into a simple mason jar or a pretty hexagonal jam jar. Let it cool completely, then tie a piece of festive ribbon or twine around the lid and add a handmade tag. It’s simple, elegant, and so thoughtful.
5. Don’t Limit it to Toast! Think beyond breakfast! A dollop of this jam on a cracker with brie or cream cheese is a phenomenal appetizer. It’s also a fantastic condiment to serve alongside your Christmas turkey or roasted chicken.

Keep It Fresh! Storing Your Homemade Gift

This simple refrigerator jam is easy to store and enjoy throughout the holiday season.

• Refrigerator: Because this is a simple “refrigerator jam” and not a formally canned preserve, it must be stored in the fridge. Kept in a clean, airtight jar, it will stay fresh and delicious for up to 2 weeks.
• Freezer: For longer storage, this jam freezes beautifully! Pour the cooled jam into a freezer-safe jar or container (leaving about an inch of headspace at the top) and freeze for up to a year. Thaw it in the refrigerator before using.

FAQs: Your Cranberry Orange Jam Questions, Answered!

Can I use frozen cranberries?

Yes, absolutely! There’s no need to thaw them first. Just add them to the saucepan frozen; they will just take a few extra minutes to come up to a boil.

My jam seems very thick/thin. How can I adjust it?

If your jam seems way too thick while cooking, you can stir in an extra tablespoon or two of water or orange juice to loosen it up. If it seems too thin after it has cooled completely (which is unlikely with cranberries!), you can return it to the saucepan and simmer it for another 5 minutes to reduce it further.

Can I reduce the amount of sugar?

You can, but keep in mind that sugar is not just for sweetness in jam; it’s also a preservative and helps it set. You can reduce it slightly (e.g., to ½ cup), but the jam will be much tarter and may have a slightly looser consistency. I would not recommend omitting it completely.

Can I add other spices?

Of course! A pinch of nutmeg or allspice would be a wonderful addition alongside the cinnamon. You could even add a whole star anise to the pot while the jam simmers (just remember to remove it before jarring) for a lovely, subtle licorice note.

Final Thoughts: Your Easiest, Most Elegant Holiday Gift

There is nothing more special than a homemade gift that is beautiful, delicious, and made with love. This Cranberry Orange Jam is the perfect embodiment of holiday spirit in a jar. It’s a simple, rewarding recipe that yields a truly gourmet and versatile condiment, perfect for sharing with everyone on your list. I hope its bright, festive flavor brings a little extra joy to your Christmas season. Happy Holidays!