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Bright, sweet Cranberry Jam that works for breakfast, desserts, and gifting. A holiday favorite. 🎄🍒
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- This cranberry jam recipe comes together fast with simple ingredients.
- The flavor is bright, tart, and perfect for anyone who loves cranberry recipes.
- It is an easy way to learn how to make cranberry jam without extra steps or tools.
- This batch makes a great edible gift during the holidays.
- You can use it in both fresh cranberry recipes and baked treats.
🛒 Ingredients & Substitutions
- whole fresh cranberries
- packed brown sugar – adjust the amount to reach your preferred sweetness
- water
✨ Variations
- Add orange zest for a citrus twist that works well in cranberry jam recipes.
- Swap part of the water for apple cider to change the flavor.
- Add a cinnamon stick while it simmers for a warm spice note.
- Use maple syrup as part of the sweetener for a richer taste.
- Stir in vanilla once it cools for a mellow finish.
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🔥 Tips
- Taste as it cooks to decide how sweet you want your cranberry jam recipe.
- Keep stirring during the last few minutes to prevent burning.
- Make sure the cranberries burst fully for the right jam texture.
- Fresh cranberries give the best flavor when you are learning how to make cranberry jam.
- Allow the jam to cool before placing the lid on the jar to avoid condensation.
❓ FAQs
Can I use frozen cranberries?
Yes. Frozen fruit works well in fresh cranberry recipes and does not change the cooking time.
Can I double the batch?
Yes. Many cranberry jam recipes scale up easily. Just use a larger pot and stir often.
How long does it last?
It keeps in the refrigerator for a few weeks as long as it is stored in a clean jar.
Can this be canned?
This recipe is not written for canning. Follow approved canning instructions if you want a shelf stable version.
Can I reduce the sugar?
Yes. Reducing sugar changes the texture slightly, but it still works well in most cranberry recipes.
🍽️ Other Recipes You May Enjoy
Side Dish
Cranberry Sauce
Holiday
Sugared Cranberries
Side Dish
Cranberry Relish
Mixes, Sauces, Condiments
Cranberry Vinaigrette
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Cranberry Jam
Easy Cranberry Jam made with cranberries, sugar, and water. Sweet, simple, and great for spreading on toast or giving as holiday gifts.
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Equipment
- medium saucepan
- clean jar or container with lid
Ingredients
- 4 cups whole fresh cranberries
- 1 to 2 cups packed brown sugar, (see notes)
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Add the cranberries, brown sugar, and water to a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.4 cups whole fresh cranberries, 1 to 2 cups packed brown sugar, 1 cup water
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to a low boil and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Taste the mixture. If you want it sweeter, add more sugar.
- Reduce the heat to the lowest setting and cook for another 10 to 15 minutes, stirring constantly until thickened.
- Remove from heat and let the jam cool in the pan for 30 minutes.
- Transfer to a clean jar or container. Store in the refrigerator for up to a few weeks.
Notes
🥡 STORAGE
- Refrigerate the jam in a clean, airtight jar for up to a few weeks.
- Keep the jam chilled at all times for best quality.
♨️ REHEATING
- Warm small amounts gently in a saucepan over low heat.
- Microwave in a microwave-safe bowl in short bursts until loosened.
❄️ FREEZING
- Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.
💡 TIPS FOR BEST RESULTS
- Stir constantly during the final 10 to 15 minutes to prevent scorching.
- Taste first so you can adjust the sugar to your preferred sweetness.
- Cool completely before sealing the jar to avoid condensation.
🍳 ALTERNATE COOKING METHODS
- Slow cooker: Cook on high for 2 to 3 hours, stirring every 30 minutes.
- Instant Pot: Cook on manual high pressure for 2 minutes, then natural release for 10 minutes and stir until thickened on sauté mode.
♻️ LEFTOVERS
- Spread leftovers on toast, biscuits, or English muffins.
- Stir into yogurt, oatmeal, or cottage cheese.
- Use as a filling for thumbprint cookies or bars.
📝 NOTES
- This recipe yields about 2¼ cups of jam.
- Start with 1 cup of sugar for a cranberry sauce level of sweetness. Increase up to 2 cups for a sweeter jam.
- This jam makes a great holiday gift.
- The batch size is easy to double for bigger gatherings.
- Play with flavors like citrus or spices to make it your own.
- Let it cool fully before storing to maintain the best texture.
- This recipe was originally published as a contributor post by Soliloquy Of Food & Such.
Nutrition
Serving: 2tablespoons, Calories: 57kcal, Carbohydrates: 15g, Protein: 0.1g, Fat: 0.03g, Saturated Fat: 0.002g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.004g, Sodium: 5mg, Potassium: 34mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 13g, Vitamin A: 13IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 12mg, Iron: 0.1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this? Leave a comment below!
What could we sub for the sugar? Maple syrup? Monk fruit? I’m trying to eliminate sugar and artificial sweeteners. This would be great on turkey sandwiches and cheese boards!
I’d like to try this with a little orange zest. There recipe sounds wonderful though. Will try it for Christmas.
Thank you for this recipe. It's even better when the cranberries are mixed evenly with crushed strawberries. My friends rave about it. Adjust sugar to taste.
I've never heard of cranberry jam before I found this today, I made it already and it is fantastic! It's essentially cranberry sauce, but without the spices, it's going to be great on a cheese plate, thank you!
THis is such a great idea. I am going to share this the link to this post in my "List of Fabulous Finds" post this coming Friday. I think my readers will love it! Thanks – pinning it as well!
Is there a reason you used brown sugar instead of white sugar?
If you wanted to make several jars to keep would you finish up with regualr canning steps
My daughter loves cranberry jam, so I'm going to try this as a surprise for her since I've been unable to find any in our local stores or farmers markets! Thanks so much for sharing!
I love cranberry jam! I have never tried making it before though. Those muffins also look delicious!