Name: Festive Cranberry Strawberry Spice Jam Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 4 h
Total time: 4 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 24 oz. fresh cranberries (about 6 cups); 16 oz. fresh strawberries; 1½ tsp. ground cinnamon; 1 tsp. ground nutmeg; ½ tsp. ground cloves; ¼ tsp. ground ginger; 2 cups brown sugar

Jump to Recipe· 4.3 from 12 reviews

I absolutely love making this Festive Cranberry Strawberry Spice Jam Recipe every year around the holidays. It’s such a cozy, vibrant blend of tart cranberries and sweet strawberries, all wrapped up with a warm hug of seasonal spices that feel like Christmas in a jar. I find it so satisfying that this jam comes together effortlessly in a slow cooker, allowing me to enjoy the comforting aroma as it simmers away. This recipe has become a personal favorite for gift-giving and adding a special touch to breakfast, snacks, or even desserts.

Why You’ll Love This Festive Cranberry Strawberry Spice Jam Recipe

What truly makes this jam stand out for me is the balance of flavors. The cranberries provide a bright, tangy punch that wakes up your taste buds, while the strawberries bring a gentle sweetness that mellows the tartness perfectly. The blend of warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and a hint of ginger transforms this jam into a holiday treat that instantly feels special and comforting. I always find myself craving a spoonful right off the bat while it’s still warm, it’s just that good!

Another thing I love is how incredibly easy this recipe is to prepare. You literally toss all the ingredients into the slow cooker, stir, and let the magic happen for four hours. No constant stirring or watching over a bubbling pot on the stove, which is perfect for busy schedules or when I’m juggling holiday preparations. Plus, it’s versatile enough to serve at family gatherings, holiday brunches, or to use as a thoughtfully homemade gift. Trust me, once you make this, you’ll want to keep a jar handy all season long.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A slow cooker with a single dark round layer of whole red cranberries and halved red strawberries scattered on the bottom. On top, there are patches of light brown sugar and small piles of cinnamon, nutmeg, and other spices seen as fine brown powders. The second step shows the same slow cooker with the fruits now mixed and covered unevenly by the spices and brown sugar, giving a rough texture with red and brown colors blending. In the third image, the slow cooker contains cooked cranberries and strawberries that have softened, partially broken down in dark purple juice, with some chunks of softened fruit and clumps of spices floating on the surface. In the last frame, the mixture has turned into a smooth and thick dark purple sauce, being mixed with a silver immersion blender visible in the lower right corner. The background is white marbled surface with a white cloth having red writing beside the slow cooker. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The ingredients for this jam are refreshingly simple but absolutely essential for achieving that perfect holiday flavor and texture. Each component adds its own magic — fresh fruit for vibrant taste and natural pectin, spices for warmth and depth, and brown sugar to balance everything out with rich sweetness.

24 oz. fresh cranberries: These bring the signature tartness and natural pectin needed for that jammy texture.
16 oz. fresh strawberries: Adds a mellow sweetness and beautiful color.
1½ tsp. ground cinnamon: Warms up the flavor profile with its classic holiday spice.
1 tsp. ground nutmeg: Provides a subtle nutty aroma that complements the other spices.
½ tsp. ground cloves: A little goes a long way in adding depth and complexity.
¼ tsp. ground ginger: Introduces a gentle zing that brightens the spice blend.
2 cups brown sugar: Sweetens the jam with a rich molasses undertone that balances the fruit’s tartness.

Directions

Step 1: Combine the cranberries, strawberries, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and brown sugar in your slow cooker. Give everything a good stir so the sugar and spices coat the fruit evenly.

Step 2: Set your slow cooker to HIGH and cook the mixture for 4 hours. Resist the urge to open the lid during this time—keeping the heat and moisture inside helps the fruit break down and develop that concentrated jammy flavor.

Step 3: Once the cooking time is up, carefully transfer the mixture into a blender, or use an immersion blender right in the slow cooker, and pulse gently until the jam reaches your desired consistency. Be cautious not to over-blend; otherwise, you’ll end up with cranberry butter instead of jam.

Step 4: Allow the jam to cool to room temperature before transferring it into clean jars or containers. Don’t worry if it seems runny at first—the natural pectin in cranberries will cause it to thicken beautifully as it cools.

Servings and Timing

This Festive Cranberry Strawberry Spice Jam Recipe yields about 4 to 5 cups of jam, which is perfect for sharing or gift-giving. The prep time is minimal—around 10 minutes—to gather and mix the ingredients, followed by a 4-hour cooking time in the slow cooker. After cooking, you’ll want to let the jam cool completely before storing, which can take an additional 1 to 2 hours. Overall, from start to finish, you’re looking at roughly 5 hours, but most of that is hands-off cooking time.

How to Serve This Festive Cranberry Strawberry Spice Jam Recipe

The image shows three glass jars filled with dark red jam tied with red and white twisted strings at the neck, placed on a wooden board. In the front, there is a small white bowl with embossed patterns that holds thick dark red jam, with a wooden spoon resting inside, partially covered in jam. Around the board, there are brown cinnamon sticks, small pine cones dusted with white, and a white cloth with red stitched edges. A small green pine branch adds a festive touch. The background has a clean white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

I love serving this jam fresh at holiday breakfasts or brunches, where it pairs wonderfully with warm, buttery toast, biscuits, or even fluffy pancakes. Spread it thickly for maximum flavor impact. It also makes a show-stopping accompaniment to cream cheese on a bagel or as a topping on vanilla yogurt for a simple but elegant snack.

For a festive touch, I often spoon this jam into small ramekins and garnish with a sprig of fresh rosemary or a few whole cranberries. It not only looks inviting but also adds an aromatic element that complements the spices in the jam. I also enjoy pairing this jam with a mild cheese platter during holiday parties—it’s fantastic with soft brie or sharp cheddar.

When it comes to beverages, I find this jam goes beautifully with hot tea, mulled wine, or even a spiced cocktail like a cinnamon bourbon sour. For non-alcoholic options, a sparkling cranberry spritzer is a refreshing match. I usually serve the jam at room temperature since that’s when the flavors really sing, but a light warm-up also works nicely, especially in colder months.

Variations

If you want to put a spin on this Festive Cranberry Strawberry Spice Jam Recipe, I’ve experimented with a few tweaks that are delicious. For example, you can swap out strawberries for raspberries or blackberries for a slightly different fruity twist. If you prefer less sweetness, reducing the brown sugar by a quarter cup still leaves the jam nicely balanced but less sugary.

For dietary preferences, this jam is naturally gluten-free and vegan, which I appreciate for accommodating guests easily. To make it a little lighter, try using coconut sugar instead of brown sugar for a subtle change in flavor and a lower glycemic index. You could also infuse the jam with a splash of freshly squeezed orange juice or a teaspoon of vanilla extract after blending to add extra depth.

Besides the slow cooker method, you can make this jam on the stovetop by simmering the fruit and spices in a heavy saucepan over medium heat for about 30 to 40 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. Just keep in mind the slow cooker version allows the flavors to meld gently over time, creating that signature cozy richness that I love so much.

Storage and Reheating

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftover jam in airtight glass jars or sealable containers and keep them in the refrigerator. This helps preserve the fresh flavors and keeps the jam safe to eat for up to 3 weeks. Using clean utensils every time you scoop out some jam also helps avoid contamination and prolongs shelf life.

Freezing

This jam freezes beautifully, which is great if you make a big batch. I recommend transferring it to freezer-safe containers, leaving some headspace for expansion. Properly frozen, the jam can keep for up to 6 months without losing much flavor or texture. When ready to use, thaw it in the fridge overnight for the best results.

Reheating

To reheat, I gently warm the jam in a small saucepan over low heat or microwave it in short bursts, stirring often to prevent scorching. Avoid boiling it again, as that can break down the texture or cause the jam to lose its fresh fruit brightness. Reheating just enough to take the chill off is perfect for restoring that luscious spreadability.

FAQs

Can I use frozen fruit instead of fresh for this recipe?

Absolutely! Frozen cranberries and strawberries work well if fresh aren’t available. Just thaw them slightly and drain any excess juice before adding them to the slow cooker to avoid making the jam too watery.

How can I tell when the jam is done cooking?

The jam is ready when the fruit has broken down completely, and the mixture looks thick and glossy. After blending, it might still seem a little runny but will set as it cools thanks to the cranberries’ natural pectin.

Is it possible to make this jam without a slow cooker?

Yes! You can prepare this jam on the stovetop by simmering the ingredients over medium heat for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring often until the fruit softens and the mixture thickens.

Can I adjust the sweetness to make a less sweet jam?

Definitely. I recommend reducing the brown sugar gradually, taste-testing as you cook. Just keep in mind that sugar also helps with the jam’s consistency and preservation.

How long does this jam last once opened?

Once opened and refrigerated, the jam will stay fresh for about 3 weeks. Always use clean utensils to prevent contamination and check for any off smells or mold before eating.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a jam that’s bursting with holiday cheer and made with minimal fuss, I can’t recommend this Festive Cranberry Strawberry Spice Jam Recipe enough. It brings such a joyful, warming flavor to the table and is perfect for sharing with family and friends. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do—it’s truly become one of my favorite seasonal treats!