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Holiday Jam ~ an unforgettable combination of cranberries, raspberries, and pears with a touch of orange juice and warm spices, finished with a happy splash of Grand Marnier!
This quick & easy freezer jam recipe will thrill both you and your guests. Dressed up in a pretty jar, this delicious jam makes a wonderful gift!
First, I’m so excited to bring this recipe to you today – especially just in time for the holidays!
Have you ever thought you’d like to make jam but don’t think you have the time? This jam is the answer because it comes together in minutes. With just a little prep time for the fruit, and five minutes of cooking, this jam is set to eat, share or freeze, for up to a year!
Make the most out of our last few days of cranberries and stir up a pot of this amazing jam. This Holiday Jam can be made with frozen cranberries and frozen raspberries but I used fresh.
This recipe uses 1 box of SURE-JELL for Less or No Sugar Needed Fruit Pectin.
I’ve often made jams with only fruit and sugar but let me tell you why I love this recipe made with pectin. When you cook fruit and sugar for a long time, it breaks down and creates pectin which helps the jam jell properly when cooled. Unfortunately, long term cooking can also dilute the fresh fruit flavor.
In this recipe, the cranberries are cooked just until they breakdown, then removed from the heat, about 5 minutes. Then the fresh raspberries and diced fresh pear are added to the hot mixture and stirred until well combined. The jam is not cooked again so the fresh fruit taste is robust and the color stays bold. Add a little cinnamon and nutmeg and a splash of Grand Marnier, if you have it. That’s it!
The cranberries are tart, the raspberries are sweet, and there is just a little crispness left in the juicy diced pear.
The idea for this recipe came from a jar of jam I saw in our local grocery store. I don’t know if the taste is similar or even close, but it doesn’t matter. This jam is a winner and will be a frequent visitor in our freezer!
The color is brilliant and the consistency is perfect. There are little chunks of fruit and loads of sweet and tart flavors.
Aren’t you glad this is the kind of Holiday Jam you can eat and not the kind you’ll find at the shopping mall?! Happy shopping and baking!
Thanks for PINNING!
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Holiday Freezer Jam
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 2 cups about 12-ounces fresh raspberries
- 1 ripe pear, peeled and cut into ¼-inch dice
- 4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 box SURE-JELL for Less (1.75 ounce box) or No Sugar Needed Fruit Pectin
- 2 tablespoons Grand Marnier
- 1 orange, juiced in a 1 cup measure. Add enough water to make 1 cup liquid
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
- You will need: Clean containers and lids to hold at least 6 ½ cups of jam.
- Wash the raspberries and place them in a small low mixing bowl. Crush the raspberries with a potato masher. Push half the pulp through a fine mesh sieve to remove part of the seeds. Discard the seeds and combine the raspberries and pulp together. Set aside.
- Place the sugar and pectin in a large saucepan and add the orange juice and water. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat and add the cranberries. Cook for about 5 minutes or until the cranberries burst and breakdown. While cooking the cranberries, use a wooden spoon to smash the berries against the side of the saucepan. Remove from the heat.
- Off heat, add the cinnamon, nutmeg, diced pear and all the raspberry pulp. Stir for a few minutes until well blended. Stir in the Grand Marnier and immediately fill the prepared containers to within ½ inch of the top.
- Wipe off the top edges of the containers and immediately cover with lids. Allow the jam to sit at room temperature for 24 hours then refrigerate for up to 3 weeks or freeze for up to 1 year. Thaw the jam in the refrigerator before serving.
Recipe Notes
- Refrigerate jam for up to 3 weeks or freeze jam for up to 1 year.
- Use fresh or frozen cranberries and raspberries (thaw slightly)
- If you don't have Grand Marnier, it will be delicious without - no worries
- Makes: 6 1/2 cups jam
Nutrition
Here are a few more recipes you might enjoy:
- Easy Small-Batch Strawberry Jam
- Hot Pepper Cranberry Jam ~ from The View from Great Island
- Cranberry Apple Butter ~ from The View from Great Island
These are a few of my favorite tools used to make this jam: (all photos are clickable)
The small print: If you decide to purchase something at Amazon after following my affiliate link, I receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you, which I use to pay for web hosting and services for this blog.
Finally, it’s the Monday before Christmas and all through our house, we’re busy wrapping presents … and … well that’s all I’ve got! Other than this delicious jam of course – you need to try it before the cranberries are gone! At least PIN it for next year so you can find it again 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by. I’ll have one more recipe for you later this week – so please come back again. We wish you a Merry Christmas!
Tricia
Jean Cowley says
I made this jam hoping to add something new to the Thanksgiving table. The flavor is wonderful, but it didn’t set up; it’s a runny mess. I followed the recipe to the letter (I doubled it). Not sure if I’ll be able to use 7 pints. We don’t eat that much pancakes & waffles. 🤷♀️
Tricia Buice says
Sorry you had trouble Jean. Berries can vary in moisture and doubling the recipe may not have helped. I guess it should have cooked down a little more. Again I’m sorry it didn’t work for you.
Krystal Wertman says
She shouldn’t have doubled the recipe. This would fix the problem. Also adding 1 tsp of citric acid always helps:) (Been canning 15 years professionally)
Tricia Buice says
Thanks for the tip Krystal. You sound like an expert for sure!
Jean Craig says
Hello. I was wondering if you can make this Holiday Jam in a hot water bath to last even longer on the shelf?
Tricia Buice says
Hi Jean. I have not because I’m not much of a canner. However, I think it would work fine and would be terrific for holiday gifting!
Dennis Andrezik says
I was wondering if you could process this jam in a water bath as opposed to freezing?
Tricia Buice says
Hi Dennis! I am not an expert on canning so I would consult a canning cookbook for instructions 🙂 I think it would be fine to can but would leave out the Grand Marnier for sure. This is a delicious jam and would be great for holiday gifts 🙂
Franny says
Hi,… From Franny in Newport Oregon
Im in love with Black berries and i was wondering
Can you make this rec ipe with Black berries???
Im sure you could, but if you could give me any tips???
I sure would appreciate, your Jammin opinion,…LOL
Tricia Buice says
Hi Franny! Oh that sounds so good – I love blackberries too. Are you thinking about substituting the raspberries with blackberries? I bet it will be delicious with the cranberries too. Blackberries are sometimes really juicy so not sure if you are using wild or store-bought which seem to be bigger and loaded with juice. The seeds are removed by pushing the fruit through a fine mesh sieve in this recipe – so you should be fine there too. All in all, it sounds to me like this will be delicious – not the pretty holiday red color, but terrific just the same 🙂 Good luck and let us know how it goes!
Robyn Gleason says
Oh my, Tricia! First of all, your photography is stunning and that first photo took my breath away – perfection!
Secondly, when I saw this on Instagram I was so excited about this flavour combo – so divine! How quick can you ship me 2 dozen jars? lol. I cannot wait until I have time to make this and I’ll definitely be adding the Grand Marnier!
Happy Holidays, friend. Looking forward to working with you in the new year 🙂
Tricia Buice says
Thank you very much Robyn – you are so sweet! Have a happy, blessed holiday – talk to you next year!
sippitysup says
When I saw the headline “Holiday Jam” I was sure this was going to be a traffic story. This is much sweeter. GREG
Tricia Buice says
Haha – no jam up here! But stay away from the mall 🙂 The jam is terrific – hope you get the chance to make it. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!
2 Sisters Recipes says
LOVE this holiday jam recipe! Genius to add in some cinnamon, nutmeg and Grand Marnier- can’t wait to make this one! We wish you and your beautiful family a very Merry Christmas Tricia!!!
Tricia Buice says
Thank you both so much! Hope it’s warm in Charleston 🙂 Merry Christmas!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
The colour of that jam is amazing! What a great idea and such a perfect combination of flavours for the season. And freezer jam is always good 🙂
Tricia Buice says
We are so thrilled with this jam – can’t wait to make some more!
Dolores says
Yes I would like t try also.
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Delores!
Abbe@This is How I Cook says
Wowzer! Just beautiful and I bet it tastes great. Just what I would want to be spreading on my toast on a cold winter morning! Thanks Tricia!
Tricia Buice says
Thank you Abbe – Happy Hanukah to you and your family!
cheri says
The color is just amazing Tricia, I love freezer jam and I bet this combo of fruit taste amazing together.
I’m not quite ready for the holidays, thank goodness we have a few days left. Happy holidays!
Tricia Buice says
Good luck this week Cheri! There is always so much to do – enjoy!
Susan says
What a perfect, holiday color, Tricia! I know I would love this slathered over almost anything 🙂 I’ve never made a freezer jam before and would love to start by trying this recipe!
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Susan – freezer jam works for me. No worries with canning and it holds up beautifully. Hope you’re ready for the holidays!
Gerlinde @Sunnycovechef says
How beautiful and what great gifts this Jam would make. I love to have it on my morning toast.
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Gerlinde – it is perfect on morning toast! Hope you get the opportunity to make it soon. Have a great week!
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
Beautiful jelly! I love the color. We make homemade English muffins and that jelly would look great in a basket.
Tricia Buice says
Yes it would Marisa! Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. Hope you have a wonderful holiday!
Monique says
Love the presentation in le petit pot and étiquette..
maybe not before Xmas..this year but maybe next,in my daughters and DSILs stockings:)
Cute cute ad cute!
Tricia Buice says
Thank you very much Monique! Have a wonderful week – hope you’re ready because I bet the littles all are!
Chris Scheuer says
This is so pretty and sounds delicious Tricia. I love freezer jam as it’s so fresh tasting, just like the fresh fruit itself. This is a wonderful combination of flavors!
Tricia Buice says
Thank you so much Chris! Merry Christmas to you and Scott!
Monica says
What a great idea! A festive bright red jar of delicious homemade jam is a great holiday gift! I loved your other easy jam so I know this is a winner. : )
Have a very wonderful holiday with your family Tricia and hope 2017 brings you and your loved ones much happiness, good health, and success!
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Monica! Blessings to you and your family too – and Happy New Year!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
The colour simply makes me HAPPY!! I would love some on my morning bread :-))
Tricia Buice says
It is very delicious jam, Angie. The flavors really come through. Enjoy your holidays and thanks!
sue | theviewfromgreatisland says
That color! Raspberries and cranberries is such an unusual combination, I don’t know why I’ve never considered it ~ my morning toast really needs a big dollop of this gorgeous jam. Happy wrapping!
Tricia Buice says
I could eat this stuff by the spoonful Sue – that is if my husband leaves any for me! Delicious stuff for sure.