Easy Small-Batch Cranberry Jam: Your Perfect Sweet & Tart Holiday Preserve (30-Minute Recipe!)
There’s nothing quite like the vibrant color and delightfully tart-sweet flavor of homemade cranberry jam, especially during the festive holiday season. This incredibly easy, small-batch Cranberry Jam recipe lets you whip up a delicious, quick preserve in just 30 minutes! Forget complicated canning methods or special equipment; this simple holiday jam is designed for effortless enjoyment. It’s perfect for adding a touch of homemade goodness to your breakfast table, appetizers, or desserts, and will keep beautifully in your refrigerator for up to three weeks, or even longer in the freezer.
Why This Simple Cranberry Jam Will Be Your New Holiday Favorite
Preparing homemade jam might sound intimidating, but this quick cranberry jam recipe is designed to be approachable and rewarding. Here’s why you’ll absolutely love adding this to your holiday repertoire:
- Effortless & Accessible: No Special Canning Equipment Required! Unlike traditional jams that require extensive sterilization and specific preserving methods to be shelf-stable, this quick refrigerator jam simplifies the process. You won’t need a water bath canner, special jars, or even a sugar thermometer. This makes it a fantastic recipe for beginners or anyone looking for a low-stress holiday project. Just a saucepan, a spoon, and a few basic ingredients are all you need to create a truly delicious preserve.
- Customizable Sweetness for Your Palate: One of the biggest advantages of making a refrigerator jam is the flexibility it offers. Since you’re not relying on specific sugar ratios for long-term preservation, you have complete control over the sweetness. Prefer a tarter jam to cut through rich holiday dishes? Reduce the sugar slightly. Have a sweet tooth? Add a little extra. This recipe provides a perfect balance, but feel free to adjust it to suit your personal taste preferences, making it uniquely yours.
- Incredibly Versatile for Holiday Feasting: This cranberry quick jam is more than just a spread for toast – though it excels at that too! Its vibrant flavor and beautiful color make it an indispensable addition to your holiday kitchen.
- Breakfast & Brunch: Spread it generously on warm biscuits, croissants, or a classic slice of toast. Stir a spoonful into yogurt or oatmeal for a festive morning treat.
- Appetizers: Elevate simple baked brie by spooning this jam over the top for an elegant, sweet-savory appetizer that’s sure to impress guests. It’s also fantastic paired with cream cheese and crackers.
- Desserts: Use it as a filling for tarts, a topping for cheesecake or panna cotta, or swirl it into muffin batter. It can even replace traditional cranberry sauce in many dessert recipes, offering a sweeter, jam-like texture.
- Savory Pairings: This jam isn’t just for sweets! It makes an excellent glaze for roasted turkey or chicken, a delightful accompaniment to a cheese board, or a unique spread for gourmet sandwiches. Try it in place of cranberry sauce in our cranberry brie pull-apart bread for an extra layer of flavor, or spoon it over a savory French toast casserole for a delightful contrast.
- Beverages & Cocktails: A dollop of this jam can transform a simple sparkling water into a festive drink or add a sophisticated twist to holiday cocktails.
Essential Chef’s Tips for Perfect Cranberry Jam Every Time
While this recipe is incredibly straightforward, a few expert tips will ensure your small-batch cranberry jam turns out perfectly, bursting with flavor and the ideal consistency:
- Maintain Medium Heat and Stir Frequently: Cranberries are naturally tart, and this recipe uses a good amount of sugar to balance that tartness and achieve the jam’s desired texture. However, high sugar content means the mixture can easily stick and burn to the bottom of the pan if not managed correctly. Keep your heat at a steady medium and stir the jam often, especially as it thickens. This prevents scorching and ensures even cooking, allowing the cranberries to break down beautifully and the jam to set without developing an unpleasant burnt taste.
- Sterilize Your Jars for Extended Freshness: While this cranberry jam isn’t designed for long-term shelf stability through traditional canning, storing it in sterilized jars will significantly extend its freshness in the refrigerator. Sterilization helps eliminate bacteria and mold spores that could otherwise cause your jam to spoil prematurely. You can easily sterilize jars by boiling them in water for at least 10 minutes, running them through a hot dishwasher cycle, or heating them in an oven at 225°F (110°C) for 15 minutes. Always ensure your jars and lids are completely dry before filling them with the cooled jam to prevent any moisture from compromising shelf life.
Diving Deeper into Your Cranberry Jam Ingredients
Each ingredient in this simple cranberry jam plays a crucial role in creating its perfect balance of flavor and texture:
- Fresh Cranberries: The star of the show! A 12-ounce bag is standard, providing that signature tartness. Fresh cranberries are ideal, but you can certainly use frozen cranberries without thawing them first; just be aware they might release a bit more liquid initially and take slightly longer to cook down.
- Granulated Sugar: Essential for balancing the cranberries’ tartness and helping the jam to thicken and set. As mentioned, you can adjust the amount to your preference, but the ¾ cup specified offers a lovely sweet-tart profile.
- Lemon Juice: Don’t skip this! Lemon juice adds brightness to the flavor and, importantly, provides pectin (a natural gelling agent) which helps the jam set. Freshly squeezed lemon juice will always yield the best flavor.
- Ground Cinnamon (Optional): A pinch of cinnamon introduces a warm, cozy spice note that perfectly complements cranberries, especially during the holidays. It’s a subtle addition that adds depth.
- Orange Zest (Optional): The zest from half an orange is a fantastic addition, infusing the jam with bright, citrusy aromatics that enhance the cranberry flavor beautifully. Make sure to only zest the orange part, avoiding the bitter white pith.
Simple Steps to Making Your Homemade Cranberry Jam
Crafting this delightful quick cranberry jam is a rewarding experience. Follow these simple instructions for a perfect batch:
- Combine Ingredients: Begin by placing your fresh or frozen cranberries, granulated sugar, and lemon juice into a medium-sized saucepan. Give them a quick stir to combine everything evenly.
- Bring to a Boil and Simmer: Place the saucepan over medium-high heat. As the mixture gradually heats, the cranberries will begin to “pop” and release their natural juices, and the sugar will start to dissolve. Once it reaches a rolling boil, reduce the heat to a steady medium. Allow the jam to simmer gently for approximately 15 minutes. During this time, the cranberries will soften further, and the liquid will begin to thicken. Remember to stir frequently to prevent sticking.
- Mash to Your Desired Consistency: After simmering, the cranberries will be tender. Use a potato masher or a fork to mash the fruit to your preferred consistency. For a chunkier jam with more whole berries, mash lightly. For a smoother jam, mash more vigorously. This is also the perfect time to stir in your optional ground cinnamon and/or orange zest, if using. The residual heat will help release their aromatic oils.
- Adjust as Needed: The jam will thicken further as it cools, but if you desire a thinner consistency right away, add a tablespoon of water at a time until it reaches your liking. Conversely, if you find it too tart, you can add another tablespoon or two of sugar, dissolving it completely over low heat. Taste and adjust until it’s just right for you.
- Cool and Store: Once happy with the flavor and consistency, remove the jam from the heat and allow it to cool completely at room temperature. As it cools, it will continue to thicken. Once cooled, transfer the jam into your prepared sterilized jars. Store this quick cranberry jam in the refrigerator for up to three weeks. For longer storage, it freezes beautifully for several months.
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Cranberry Quick Jam
Cheryl Malik
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Ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh cranberries 1 bag
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon optional
- zest of 1/2 orange optional
Equipment
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Medium saucepan
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Potato masher or fork to break up the berries
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Sterilized jars for storage
Instructions
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Place the cranberries, sugar, and lemon juice in a medium saucepan. Stir to combine.
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Bring the cranberries to a boil over medium-high heat. As they heat up, you’ll hear them start to pop and release their juices, and the sugar will begin to melt. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium, and simmer gently for approximately 15 minutes, stirring often. The berries will break down and the mixture will start to thicken.
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Use a potato masher or a fork to mash the fruit as much or as little as desired, depending on whether you prefer a chunky or smooth jam. Stir in the orange zest and/or the ground cinnamon, if using, to infuse the jam with their aromatic flavors.
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Taste the jam. If you desire a thinner consistency, add a little water (a tablespoon at a time) to reach the desired thickness. If it’s too tart, add a bit more sugar, stirring until fully dissolved.
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Remove from heat and allow the jam to cool completely at room temperature. Transfer the cooled jam to a sterilized jar and store in the refrigerator for up to three weeks. For longer storage, you can freeze it in an airtight container for several months.
Notes
- Always stir frequently while cooking as the jam’s high sugar content can easily cause it to stick and burn to the bottom of the pan.
- Although this is a quick refrigerator jam and doesn’t require traditional canning, storing it in sterilized jars will help your preserves last longer in the fridge.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of sugar to achieve your perfect balance of sweet and tart.
Nutrition Information
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
More Simple Holiday Recipes You’ll Love
Looking for more delicious and easy recipes to brighten your holiday table? We’ve got you covered with these festive favorites that pair perfectly with your homemade cranberry jam:
- Jellied Cranberry Sauce Recipe
- Cranberry Brie Pull-apart Bread Recipe
- Easy Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans
- Gluten-free Turkey Gravy
- Brussels Sprouts Salad with Balsamic Vinegar
- Vegan Pecan Pie Recipe
Frequently Asked Questions About Quick Cranberry Jam
We’ve gathered some common questions to help you master your homemade cranberry jam:
Can I use frozen cranberries instead of fresh?
Absolutely! Frozen cranberries work just as well as fresh ones. There’s no need to thaw them beforehand; simply add them to the saucepan directly from the freezer. They might release a bit more liquid initially and take a few extra minutes to cook down, but the end result will be just as delicious.
How can I make my jam thicker or thinner?
The jam will naturally thicken as it cools due to the pectin in the cranberries and lemon juice. If you prefer a thicker jam, you can simmer it for a few more minutes, ensuring you stir constantly. For a thinner consistency, simply stir in a tablespoon of water or orange juice at a time until it reaches your desired texture.
How long does this quick cranberry jam last?
Because this is a refrigerator jam and not processed for long-term shelf stability through traditional canning, it will last in an airtight, sterilized jar in the refrigerator for up to three weeks. If you plan to keep it longer, freezing is an excellent option.
Can I freeze cranberry jam?
Yes, this cranberry jam freezes beautifully! Allow the jam to cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers or jars, leaving a small headspace for expansion. It can be frozen for up to 3-6 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before use.
What are some unique ways to serve this cranberry jam?
Beyond toast and biscuits, consider pairing it with sharp cheddar or goat cheese, using it as a glaze for pork loin or ham, stirring it into plain yogurt, or blending it into a festive smoothie. It also makes a wonderful filling for thumbprint cookies or a topping for pancakes and waffles.
Conclusion
This easy small-batch cranberry jam recipe is a testament to how simple and rewarding homemade preserves can be. With minimal effort and just a few ingredients, you can create a versatile, vibrant, and utterly delicious jam that captures the essence of the holidays. Whether you’re spreading it on your morning toast, enhancing a festive appetizer, or adding a sweet-tart note to your holiday dinner, this quick jam is sure to become a beloved tradition. So, gather your cranberries and get ready to enjoy the taste of homemade goodness all season long!