Easy Amish Christmas Jam

Christmas morning always feels more special with homemade jam on the table. There’s something about opening a jar you made yourself that beats store-bought every time. But I used to think making jam was this huge project that would take up my whole day.

Then I discovered Amish Christmas Jam. It’s one of those recipes that sounds fancy but is actually pretty simple to make. The best part? You don’t need any special equipment or hard-to-find ingredients. Just basic pantry staples and about an hour of your time.

I started making this jam a few years ago when I wanted something special for our holiday breakfast spread. Now it’s become a tradition. My kids ask for it every December, and I always make extra jars to give as gifts. Trust me, your neighbors will love finding this on their doorstep more than another plate of cookies.

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Options for Substitutions

This festive jam recipe is pretty forgiving when it comes to making a few swaps:

• Fresh cranberries: Fresh cranberries are really the star here and give the jam its signature tartness, so I’d stick with those if possible. Frozen cranberries work too – just don’t thaw them first.
• Fresh strawberries: You can use frozen strawberries instead of fresh – just thaw and drain them first. Other berries like raspberries or blackberries would work nicely too for a different flavor twist.
• Brown sugar: White sugar can replace the brown sugar if that’s what you have, but you’ll lose some of that rich, molasses flavor. You could also try coconut sugar for a slightly different taste.
• Ground spices: Don’t have all the spices? You can use 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice instead of the individual spices, or just stick with cinnamon and nutmeg for a simpler version.
• Ground ginger: Fresh grated ginger works great too – use about 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger in place of the ground version for a brighter, more intense flavor.

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Amish Christmas Jam FAQ

Why can’t I stir during the 4-hour cooking time?

Keeping the lid closed maintains consistent heat distribution throughout the cooking process and prevents moisture from escaping, which would thin your jam. Additionally, leaving it undisturbed allows the natural pectin in the cranberries to develop properly, giving you that perfect thick consistency.

How do I know when it’s “jam-like consistency” vs. “cranberry butter” when blending?

Jam should have a spreadable texture with visible fruit pieces and some texture when you bite into it. Cranberry butter, on the other hand, is completely smooth and paste-like. Stop blending when you still see chunky bits of fruit throughout—don’t aim for completely smooth.

Do I need to sterilize the jars for storage?

If you’re planning to store this jam for two weeks or longer, you should sterilize your jars by boiling them for 10 minutes. For immediate use within one to two weeks in the refrigerator, thoroughly cleaned jars will work just fine.

Can I add pectin if I want it thicker, or is that unnecessary?

There’s no need to add commercial pectin because cranberries naturally contain abundant pectin. The jam will thicken significantly as it cools, and adding extra pectin risks creating an overly firm, rubbery texture that’s unpleasant to spread.

Storage Instructions

Refrigerate: Once your Amish Christmas jam has cooled completely, transfer it to clean glass jars or airtight containers. It’ll keep beautifully in the fridge for up to 3 weeks, making it perfect for holiday gift-giving or enjoying throughout the season.

Freeze: This jam freezes wonderfully for longer storage! Pour it into freezer-safe containers, leaving about half an inch of space at the top for expansion. Label with the date and it’ll stay good for up to 6 months in the freezer.

Can: If you want to preserve this jam for months, you can process it using proper canning methods in sterilized jars. Follow safe canning guidelines and it’ll keep in your pantry for up to a year. Just remember to refrigerate after opening and use within a few weeks.

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Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1450-1550
• Protein: 3-5 g
• Fat: 1-2 g
• Carbohydrates: 355-370 g

Ingredients

• 6 cups whole cranberries (fresh or frozen)
• 2 cups packed brown sugar (dark brown preferred)
• 1 tsp ground nutmeg (freshly grated for best flavor)
• 16 oz fresh strawberries (hulled and quartered)
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger

Step 1: Combine All Ingredients in Slow Cooker

• 6 cups whole cranberries
• 16 oz fresh strawberries
• 2 cups packed brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger

Place the whole cranberries, strawberries, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and ground ginger into the slow cooker.

Stir thoroughly to ensure the fruit and spices are evenly distributed.

Step 2: Slow Cook the Fruit Mixture

• fruit and spice mixture from Step 1

Cover the slow cooker and cook the mixture on HIGH for 4 hours.

Do not open the lid or stir during cooking, as this will allow the flavors to develop and prevent excess moisture from escaping.

Step 3: Blend to Make Jam

• cooked fruit mixture from Step 2

Transfer the contents of the slow cooker into a blender.

Pulse until you achieve a jam-like consistency, being careful not to over-blend, or it may turn into cranberry butter.

Alternatively, use an immersion blender directly in the slow cooker for easier cleanup.

Step 4: Cool and Store the Jam

Let the jam cool to room temperature.

As it cools, it will thicken considerably thanks to the natural pectin in the cranberries.

Once cooled, transfer to jars or an airtight container for storage.

I like to sample a little while it’s still slightly warm—it’s delicious on toast or stirred into yogurt!

Easy Amish Christmas Jam

Delicious Easy Amish Christmas Jam recipe with step-by-step instructions.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 1 hour hr 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 hours hrs 50 minutes mins

Total Time 4 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Servings 8 cups of jam

Calories 1500 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 6 cups whole cranberries (fresh or frozen)
• 2 cups packed brown sugar (dark brown preferred)
• 1 tsp ground nutmeg (freshly grated for best flavor)
• 16 oz fresh strawberries (hulled and quartered)
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger

Instructions

 

• Place the whole cranberries, strawberries, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and ground ginger into the slow cooker. Stir thoroughly to ensure the fruit and spices are evenly distributed.
• Cover the slow cooker and cook the mixture on HIGH for 4 hours. Do not open the lid or stir during cooking, as this will allow the flavors to develop and prevent excess moisture from escaping.
• Transfer the contents of the slow cooker into a blender. Pulse until you achieve a jam-like consistency, being careful not to over-blend, or it may turn into cranberry butter. Alternatively, use an immersion blender directly in the slow cooker for easier cleanup.
• Let the jam cool to room temperature. As it cools, it will thicken considerably thanks to the natural pectin in the cranberries. Once cooled, transfer to jars or an airtight container for storage. I like to sample a little while it’s still slightly warm—it’s delicious on toast or stirred into yogurt!