Slow Cooker Christmas Jam Recipe is my secret to making the holidays feel cozy and joyful without spending all day in the kitchen. Picture this: it is chilly outside, the tree lights are twinkling, and your whole home smells like cranberries, oranges, and cinnamon. This jam checks every box. It is festive, super simple, and perfect for gifting. I make a big batch early in December and we enjoy it on biscuits, pancakes, yogurt, and cheese boards all month long. Ready to make a pot of pure holiday cheer together?
Easy Recipe for Christmas Jam
This jam is a low-stress, big-reward kind of recipe. Everything goes into the slow cooker, then you let the heat and time do the heavy lifting. It is not finicky. It is not fussy. And the flavor tastes like the best parts of the season in a spoon.
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh cranberries, rinsed
- 3 cups strawberries or raspberries, fresh or frozen
- 2 medium apples, peeled and finely chopped or grated
- 1 large orange, zest and juice
- 2.5 to 3 cups granulated sugar, to taste
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: 1 packet powdered fruit pectin 1.75 ounces
- Optional: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or 2 tablespoons brandy, added at the end
Tools You Will Need
Slow cooker 4 to 6 quart works well, a potato masher, ladle, heatproof spatula, clean jars with lids, and a small thermometer if you have one. Nothing fancy.
Quick note on sweetness: cranberries are tart, so start with 2.5 cups sugar, taste near the end, and add more if you want a sweeter jam.
Why Youll Love This Recipe
First, it is hands-off. Everything simmers gently while you wrap gifts or watch a movie. Second, the flavor is spot on. You get bright cranberry, soft strawberry, and warm spice with a citrusy pop. Third, it is incredibly versatile. Spread it on toast, drizzle it on a warm brie, swirl it into yogurt, or spoon it over pancakes. It is also amazing as a glaze for a holiday ham or roasted chicken.
I think this Slow Cooker Christmas Jam Recipe is extra special because it is easy enough for a Tuesday, yet fancy enough for a Christmas brunch table. Want a cozy dessert to pair with it? Try it spooned over vanilla ice cream or crumble it into warm oats. If you are building a holiday breakfast menu, this jam loves to hang out next to a bubbling berry dessert like this slow cooker berry crumble. The fruit-on-fruit combo is so good.
It also makes a thoughtful homemade gift. Pour into small jars, add a ribbon and a simple label, and you have something both beautiful and delicious to share. The smell while it cooks is a gift too. Your home will feel like a holiday market.
How To Make Christmas Jam Recipe
Step-by-step
- Prep the fruit. Rinse cranberries, chop or grate apples, and zest the orange before juicing it.
- Load the slow cooker. Add cranberries, strawberries or raspberries, apples, orange zest and juice, sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Stir to coat.
- Cook low and slow. Cover and cook on Low for 4 to 5 hours. Stir once or twice. For the last hour, tilt the lid or crack it open to let steam escape so the jam thickens.
- Mash to your texture. Use a potato masher for a rustic jam or an immersion blender for smoother jam.
- Thicken with or without pectin. If using pectin, whisk it with 1/4 cup sugar, sprinkle into the jam, switch to High, and cook 15 to 30 minutes until bubbling and slightly thicker. Without pectin, continue with lid off on High for 45 to 90 minutes, stirring now and then, until the jam is glossy and clings to the spoon.
- Check the set. Spoon a little onto a cold plate, wait 1 minute, and run your finger through it. If it wrinkles and does not run back together, you are set.
- Finish and jar. Stir in vanilla or brandy if using, then ladle into clean jars. Cool completely, then refrigerate up to 3 weeks or freeze up to 3 months.
For more cozy slow cooker inspiration after you master this Slow Cooker Christmas Jam Recipe, you can browse the full collection here: slow cooker recipes. It is a great way to build a stress-free holiday menu.
Expert Tips To Make The Best Jam For Christmas
Balance the sweetness: Start with less sugar and taste near the end. Cranberries mellow as they cook, so you might be surprised by how the flavor settles. If it is still too tart, add sugar a couple tablespoons at a time until it makes you smile.
Vent the lid near the end: Moisture is your enemy if you want a thick jam. Crack the lid during the last hour or finish on High with the lid off. Stir occasionally so the edges do not caramelize.
Use lemon for brightness: A little lemon juice keeps the color vivid and the flavor lively. It is the quiet hero in fruit jams.
Make it gift-ready: Small half-pint jars are perfect for sharing. Add a rectangle of holiday fabric under the lid ring and a handwritten tag. Include a note with serving ideas so the gift feels personal.
Flavor twists: A thumb of grated fresh ginger gives a playful kick. Vanilla adds bakery warmth. A splash of brandy or orange liqueur is lovely for adults. Add these after cooking so the aroma stays bright.
I made this jam for teacher gifts last year and kept a jar for us. My kids ate it on everything. It tastes like Christmas morning in a jar and the slow cooker makes it so easy.
If you are planning a holiday evening with friends, this jam pairs beautifully with spiced drinks like this slow cooker mulled wine. Set both out with a cheese board and crackers. Honestly, that is a whole vibe right there.
To nail this Slow Cooker Christmas Jam Recipe every time, remember that patience is the ingredient that changes everything. Give it time to reduce and concentrate. The slow cooker will reward you.
Substitutions & Variations
No strawberries? Swap in raspberries, blueberries, or cherries. Keep the cranberries for that signature holiday tang.
Lower sugar option: Use 2 cups sugar plus 1/4 cup honey. Taste and adjust. Honey adds floral notes that work well with spices.
No pectin method: Cook longer with the lid off and use the cold plate test for set. The jam will be a bit softer but still spreads beautifully.
Chia seed trick: For a fast thickener, stir in 2 tablespoons chia seeds after cooking, let sit 15 minutes, then jar. The texture is different but very tasty.
Spice it your way: Try cardamom, a chai spice blend, or fresh grated ginger. Keep cinnamon as the base and build from there.
Make it savory-sweet: Add a pinch of black pepper and a teaspoon of balsamic at the end. It is fantastic on a cheese board and next to hearty mains like this cozy slow cooker beef stew with red wine.
If you want to try a breakfast angle, warm a spoonful of jam and drizzle it over oatmeal or pancakes. It turns simple mornings into something a little special.
Common Questions
How long does this jam last? In the fridge, up to 3 weeks in clean jars. In the freezer, up to 3 months. Leave a little room at the top of the jar for expansion if freezing.
Can I can this jam for shelf storage? This is written as a refrigerator or freezer jam. If you want to water-bath can it, follow tested canning guidelines for high-acid fruit jams and adjust sugar and acidity as needed.
Do I need pectin? Not required. Pectin gives a firmer set faster. Without it, cook longer with the lid off and use the cold plate test to check thickness.
Can I use all frozen fruit? Yes. No need to thaw first. Frozen fruit may release more liquid, so plan a little extra time with the lid off to reduce.
What if my jam is too thick? Stir in a tablespoon or two of hot water or orange juice until it is the texture you like.
A Sweet Little Wrap Up
There you have it. A cheerful pot of jam that tastes like the holiday season and takes hardly any effort. Make this Slow Cooker Christmas Jam Recipe once and you will probably find yourself making it every year. If you want more ideas and a helpful overview from other home cooks, I love this friendly guide from An Alli Event, and the fun twist over at Kitchen Fun With My 2 Sons is great for families. Grab your slow cooker, cue up the playlist, and let your kitchen smell like pure Christmas magic.
Christmas Jam
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh cranberries, rinsed Cranberries provide tartness.
- 3 cups strawberries or raspberries, fresh or frozen Feel free to use either berries.
- 2 medium apples, peeled and finely chopped or grated Adds sweetness and texture.
- 1 large orange, zest and juice Brings brightness to the jam.
- 2.5 to 3 cups granulated sugar, to taste Start with 2.5 cups for tartness.
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice Enhances flavors.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon Warm spice characteristic.
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves Adds depth of flavor.
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg Complements other spices.
- 1 pinch of salt Enhances overall sweetness.
Optional Ingredients
- 1 packet powdered fruit pectin (1.75 ounces) Optional for thicker jam.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or 2 tablespoons brandy Add at the end for flavor boost.
Instructions
Preparation
- Prep the fruit: rinse cranberries, chop or grate apples, and zest the orange before juicing it.
- Load the slow cooker: Add cranberries, strawberries or raspberries, apples, orange zest and juice, sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Stir to coat.
Cooking
- Cover and cook on Low for 4 to 5 hours. Stir once or twice. For the last hour, tilt the lid or crack it open to let steam escape so the jam thickens.
- Use a potato masher for a rustic jam or an immersion blender for smoother jam.
- If using pectin, whisk it with 1/4 cup sugar, sprinkle into the jam, switch to High, and cook 15 to 30 minutes until bubbling and slightly thicker.
- Without pectin, continue on High with lid off for 45 to 90 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the jam is glossy.
Finishing Touches
- Check the set: Spoon a little onto a cold plate, wait 1 minute, and run your finger through it. If it wrinkles and does not run back together, you are set.
- Stir in vanilla or brandy if using, then ladle into clean jars. Cool completely, then refrigerate up to 3 weeks or freeze up to 3 months.
