15+ Delightful Christmas Jam Recipes

Christmas isn’t just about cookies and cakes—homemade jams bring a cozy, festive touch to every breakfast table and holiday gift basket. There’s something magical about spreading a vibrant, fruity jam on warm toast or pairing it with creamy cheese during a holiday brunch. These jams instantly make any morning feel special and cheerful.

From classic cranberry and orange combinations to spiced berry blends, Christmas jams are bursting with seasonal flavors that celebrate the holidays. Making your own jam is easier than it seems, and it lets you control the sweetness while adding personal touches like cinnamon, cloves, or a splash of brandy for extra warmth.

These jams aren’t just delicious—they also make thoughtful homemade gifts that friends and family will truly appreciate. Whether you’re layering them in pastries, stirring them into yogurt, or enjoying them straight from the jar, these Christmas jam recipes are a festive treat that will brighten up your holiday season.

Christmas Jam Recipes

Cranberry Orange Jam

This tangy-sweet jam combines tart cranberries with zesty oranges for a festive spread. Perfect for brightening holiday breakfasts, spreading on toast, or pairing with cheese. Quick and easy to make, it delivers a burst of flavor and color to your table, adding a cheerful holiday touch with every bite.
Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh cranberries

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 orange, juiced and zested

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Steps to Make Cranberry Orange Jam

• Combine cranberries, sugar, and orange juice in a saucepan

• Cook over medium heat until cranberries burst

• Stir in orange zest and cinnamon

• Let cool before storing

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
Calories: 50
Carbs: 13g
Sugar: 11g
Fat: 0g
This jam is perfect for gifting in small jars or enjoying throughout the holiday season

Cranberry Ginger Jam

Tart cranberries with warm ginger create a festive, slightly spicy jam. It’s perfect for toast or holiday cheese boards.
Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh cranberries

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 tsp grated fresh ginger

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Steps to Make Cranberry Ginger Jam

• Cook cranberries and sugar until soft

• Mash lightly, stir in ginger and lemon juice

• Simmer until thick

• Cool before storing

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
Calories: 50
Carbs: 13g
Sugar: 11g
Fat: 0g
A tart and zesty jam that adds holiday spice

Pear Vanilla Jam

Sweet pears with a hint of vanilla make a smooth, festive jam. Ideal for holiday breakfasts or gifts.
Ingredients:

• 3 cups peeled, chopped pears

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Steps to Make Pear Vanilla Jam

• Cook pears and sugar until soft

• Mash lightly, stir in vanilla and lemon juice

• Simmer until thick

• Cool before storing

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
Calories: 60
Carbs: 16g
Sugar: 14g
Fat: 0g
A delicate and sweet jam for elegant holiday treats

Pumpkin Spice Jam

A cozy holiday jam with pumpkin and warming spices. Perfect for toast, pancakes, or gifting.
Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1/4 tsp nutmeg

• 1/4 tsp cloves

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Steps to Make Pumpkin Spice Jam

• Cook pumpkin and sugar until thickened

• Stir in cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and lemon juice

• Simmer until desired consistency

• Cool before storing

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
Calories: 70
Carbs: 18g
Sugar: 15g
Fat: 0g
A cozy and fragrant jam perfect for holiday mornings

Mixed Berry Jam

A festive jam combining strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. Colorful and flavorful for toast or desserts.
Ingredients:

• 1 cup strawberries

• 1 cup raspberries

• 1 cup blueberries

• 1 1/2 cups sugar

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Steps to Make Mixed Berry Jam

• Cook berries and sugar until soft

• Mash lightly, stir in lemon juice

• Simmer until thick

• Cool before storing

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
Calories: 60
Carbs: 15g
Sugar: 14g
Fat: 0g
A bright and colorful jam for festive tables

Apricot Ginger Jam

Sweet apricots with warm ginger make a spicy, festive jam. Perfect for holiday toast or gifting.
Ingredients:

• 2 cups chopped apricots

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 tsp grated fresh ginger

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Steps to Make Apricot Ginger Jam

• Cook apricots and sugar until soft

• Mash lightly, stir in ginger and lemon juice

• Simmer until thick

• Cool before storing

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
Calories: 65
Carbs: 16g
Sugar: 14g
Fat: 0g
A sweet and zesty jam that adds spice to the holidays

Blackcurrant Jam

Source: Pinterest

Rich blackcurrants make a bold, tangy jam for holiday breakfasts or gifts.
Ingredients:

• 2 cups blackcurrants

• 1 1/2 cups sugar

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Steps to Make Blackcurrant Jam

• Cook blackcurrants and sugar until soft

• Mash lightly, stir in lemon juice

• Simmer until thick

• Cool before storing

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
Calories: 55
Carbs: 14g
Sugar: 12g
Fat: 0g
A bold and tangy jam perfect for festive mornings

Plum Cinnamon Jam

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Rent „A“ Beast (@rent_a_beast)

Sweet plums with warm cinnamon make a fragrant holiday jam.
Ingredients:

• 3 cups chopped plums

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Steps to Make Plum Cinnamon Jam

• Cook plums and sugar until soft

• Mash lightly, stir in cinnamon and lemon juice

• Simmer until thick

• Cool before storing

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
Calories: 60
Carbs: 16g
Sugar: 14g
Fat: 0g
A sweet and fragrant jam for holiday breakfasts

Mango Cardamom Jam

Tropical mango with aromatic cardamom creates a unique festive jam.
Ingredients:

• 2 cups chopped mango

• 1 cup sugar

• 1/2 tsp ground cardamom

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Steps to Make Mango Cardamom Jam

• Cook mango and sugar until soft

• Mash lightly, stir in cardamom and lemon juice

• Simmer until thick

• Cool before storing

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
Calories: 65
Carbs: 16g
Sugar: 14g
Fat: 0g
A sweet and exotic jam perfect for holiday breakfasts

Lemon Curd Jam

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Green Briar Nature Center (@greenbriarmercantile)

Tangy lemons with sugar make a bright, festive spread.
Ingredients:

• 3 lemons, juiced and zested

• 1 1/2 cups sugar

• 2 eggs

• 2 tbsp butter

Steps to Make Lemon Curd Jam

• Whisk lemon juice, zest, sugar, and eggs in a saucepan

• Cook over low heat until thickened

• Stir in butter and cool before storing

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
Calories: 70
Carbs: 18g
Sugar: 16g
Fat: 2g
A bright, zesty jam that adds sunshine to your holidays

Rhubarb Strawberry Jam

Tart rhubarb and sweet strawberries create a classic holiday jam.
Ingredients:

• 2 cups chopped rhubarb

• 2 cups chopped strawberries

• 2 cups sugar

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Steps to Make Rhubarb Strawberry Jam

• Cook rhubarb, strawberries, and sugar until soft

• Mash lightly, stir in lemon juice

• Simmer until thick

• Cool before storing

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
Calories: 65
Carbs: 16g
Sugar: 14g
Fat: 0g
A tangy-sweet jam that’s a holiday favorite

Spiced Apple Jam

Warm, comforting apples are paired with holiday spices in this sweet jam. It’s a versatile treat that tastes amazing on toast, pancakes, or with cheese. Simple to prepare and packed with seasonal flavors, it’s a must-have for your festive table.
Ingredients:

• 3 cups peeled, chopped apples

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1/4 tsp nutmeg

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Steps to Make Spiced Apple Jam

• Cook apples and sugar over medium heat until soft

• Mash slightly, add cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice

• Simmer until thickened

• Cool before storing

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
Calories: 60
Carbs: 16g
Sugar: 14g
Fat: 0g
A comforting jam that evokes holiday warmth in every bite

Raspberry Vanilla Jam

Sweet raspberries with a hint of vanilla create a luxurious and festive spread. Perfect for holiday breakfasts, desserts, or gifting, this jam combines bright color with rich, aromatic flavor. Simple, flavorful, and sure to impress.
Ingredients:

• 2 cups raspberries

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Steps to Make Raspberry Vanilla Jam

• Cook raspberries and sugar over medium heat until soft

• Mash lightly and stir in vanilla extract

• Simmer until thick

• Cool before storing

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
Calories: 55
Carbs: 14g
Sugar: 13g
Fat: 0g
Deliciously fruity and aromatic, this jam makes holiday mornings extra special

Pineapple Mint Jam

Sweet pineapple with a hint of fresh mint creates a tropical festive jam. Perfect for toast or holiday desserts.
Ingredients:

• 2 cups chopped pineapple

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 tbsp chopped fresh mint

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Steps to Make Pineapple Mint Jam

• Cook pineapple and sugar until soft

• Mash lightly, stir in mint and lemon juice

• Simmer until thick

• Cool before storing

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
Calories: 60
Carbs: 15g
Sugar: 13g
Fat: 0g
A sweet and refreshing jam that brightens holiday breakfasts

Orange Cranberry Marmalade

Tart cranberries and zesty oranges make a bright, festive marmalade.
Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh cranberries

• 2 oranges, juiced and zested

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Steps to Make Orange Cranberry Marmalade

• Cook cranberries, orange juice, zest, and sugar until cranberries burst

• Simmer until thick

• Cool before storing

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
Calories: 55
Carbs: 14g
Sugar: 12g
Fat: 0g
A vibrant and tangy marmalade perfect for holiday mornings

Mixed Citrus Jam

A blend of oranges, lemons, and limes makes a bright, tangy jam for festive spreads.
Ingredients:

• 1 orange, juiced and zested

• 1 lemon, juiced and zested

• 1 lime, juiced and zested

• 1 1/2 cups sugar

Steps to Make Mixed Citrus Jam

• Cook citrus juices, zest, and sugar until thickened

• Stir and simmer until jam reaches desired consistency

• Cool before storing

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
Calories: 60
Carbs: 16g
Sugar: 14g
Fat: 0g
A tangy, bright jam that adds sunshine to holiday breakfasts

Pear Ginger Jam

Sweet pears with a hint of ginger create a fragrant, festive jam.
Ingredients:

• 3 cups peeled, chopped pears

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 tsp grated fresh ginger

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Steps to Make Pear Ginger Jam

• Cook pears and sugar until soft

• Mash lightly, stir in ginger and lemon juice

• Simmer until thick

• Cool before storing

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
Calories: 60
Carbs: 16g
Sugar: 14g
Fat: 0g
A fragrant and slightly spicy jam perfect for holiday toast

Mulled Wine Jam

This rich, festive jam is flavored with red wine and warming spices for a holiday treat.
Ingredients:

• 2 cups red wine

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 cup mixed berries

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

• 1/4 tsp cloves

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Steps to Make Mulled Wine Jam

• Combine wine, sugar, berries, and spices in a saucepan

• Cook until berries soften and mixture thickens

• Stir in lemon juice and cool before storing

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
Calories: 70
Carbs: 18g
Sugar: 16g
Fat: 0g
A rich, spiced jam that adds warmth and cheer to holiday breakfasts

FAQ

What is the best fruit for Christmas jams?

You can use a wide variety of fruits for Christmas jams. Traditional choices include cranberries, apples, figs, cherries, and mixed berries. Citrus fruits like oranges and lemons also add a bright, festive flavor. Combining fruits or adding spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger gives your jam a unique holiday twist.

How long does homemade Christmas jam last?

When properly stored in sterilized jars and kept in the refrigerator, homemade Christmas jam usually lasts 3–4 weeks. If you process the jars using a water bath canning method, it can last up to 6–12 months in a cool, dark place. Always check for signs of spoilage before using.

Can I make Christmas jam without added sugar?

Yes! You can make sugar-free or low-sugar jams by using natural sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or fruit juice. Keep in mind that sugar also acts as a preservative, so sugar-free jams should be stored in the refrigerator and consumed within a shorter time frame, usually 1–2 weeks.

How do I thicken my jam naturally?

You can thicken jam naturally by cooking it longer to evaporate excess liquid or by adding pectin-rich fruits like apples or citrus peels. Chia seeds can also act as a natural thickener without altering the flavor.

Can I freeze Christmas jam?

Absolutely! Most jams freeze very well. Use airtight freezer-safe containers, leaving a little space at the top for expansion. Frozen jams can last up to 6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving, and give it a quick stir if the texture separates.