Description
This Spiced Cranberry Orange Jam combines tart cranberries with bright orange zest and juice, infused with warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, creating a luxurious and festive jam that sets beautifully without being overly sweet. Perfect for holiday gifting or adding a flavorful twist to toast, cheese, or roasted meats.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1½ cups sugar (reduce to 1¼ cups for a tarter jam)
- Zest of 1 large orange
- ½ cup fresh orange juice
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- Pinch of cloves or nutmeg (tiny pinch)
- Optional: 1 tsp vanilla extract or splash of bourbon
Instructions
- Combine everything: In a saucepan, mix cranberries, sugar, orange zest and juice, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves (or nutmeg).
- Cook it down: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce to a steady simmer. Stir occasionally as the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens, about 12 to 15 minutes.
- Check texture: The jam is ready when it coats the back of a spoon and drips slowly. Keep in mind it will thicken further as it cools.
- Finish: Stir in vanilla extract or bourbon if using. Taste and adjust sweetness or spices to preference.
- Jar it up: Spoon the hot jam into clean jars, let cool to room temperature, then seal and refrigerate.
Notes
- Refrigerate jam for up to 3 weeks.
- Freeze jam for up to 3 months.
- For longer storage and gift-giving, use water-bath canning for up to 1 year shelf life.
- Small glass jars (4–8 oz) make beautiful gift containers.
- Decorate jars with twine and dried orange slices or cinnamon sticks for a festive touch.
- Jam pairs well with toast, biscuits, brie, goat cheese, yogurt, oatmeal, or as a glaze for roasted meats.
