Why This Strawberry and Apple Jam is the Ultimate Christmas Jam 🎁
This Strawberry and Apple Jam has everything going for it:
Sweet strawberries and crisp green apples for a perfectly balanced flavour 🍓🍏
Cinnamon, star anise, ginger, and cloves to add warm Christmas vibes 🌟
No fancy equipment needed—just a big pot and some sterilised jars!
Stores beautifully in the pantry, so you can make it ahead of the holiday rush 🎄
And let’s be real—giving a homemade food gift hits different. It shows you’ve put in the time and love to create something special. Plus, everyone loves receiving a treat they can actually use!
Best Ingredients to Use 🍋🍓
To make your Christmas Strawberry and Apple Jam extra special, here’s what I recommend:
- Ripe strawberries: If you can find them at a farmers’ market or pick-your-own farm, even better! Slightly overripe strawberries are perfect since they’re extra sweet.
- Granny Smith apples: Their tartness balances the sweetness from the sugar. Don’t peel them—the skins help the jam set nicely!
- Fresh lemon: A natural pectin booster. It also brings a bit of zing to your jam and helps balance the sweetness. 🍋
- Whole spices: Star anise and cloves give this jam a festive fragrance, while cinnamon and ginger bring warmth. You can leave them in for added flavour or fish them out before bottling.
Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Christmas Strawberry and Apple Jam 🍯
Test for setting: After about 30 minutes, drop a spoonful of jam onto a cold plate and let it sit for a minute. If it wrinkles when you push it with your finger, it’s ready! If not, let it simmer for a bit longer.
Don’t skip sterilising the jars: A dishwasher’s hot cycle works wonders, but you can also boil your jars in water for 10 minutes. This keeps your jam fresh longer and prevents any nasty mould from ruining your hard work. Flipping the jars upside down after sealing creates a vacuum, helping with sterilisation and a tighter seal. Don’t forget to flip them back once cool.
Serving Suggestions for Christmas Strawberry and Apple Jam 🍞🧈
This Strawberry and Apple Jam isn’t just for toast (though it’s absolutely divine on buttered sourdough). Try it with:
Cheese boards: Pair it with brie, camembert, or sharp cheddar 🧀
Pavlova: Swirl it into whipped cream for a festive dessert 🎂
Roast pork: Use as a glaze or sauce for a sweet-savory touch
Ice cream topping: Drizzle over vanilla ice cream for an easy, elegant dessert 🍦
Crumpets: And, of course, there’s nothing better than starting Christmas morning with some warm crumpets slathered in this fruity, spiced jam! 🥞
Storage and Shelf Life 🫙
Once your jars of Strawberry and Apple Jam are filled and cooled, you can store them in a cool, dry pantry for up to 12 months. That makes it a perfect gift to prepare ahead of time—tick one thing off your Christmas list early! 🎁
After opening, keep the jam in the fridge and use it within 4-6 weeks (if it lasts that long!). Make sure you always use a clean spoon when scooping jam to avoid contamination.
Other Recipes to Try 🎨
Looking for more ways to spread the joy this season? Here are a few other homemade treats that make fantastic Christmas gifts:
These are just as easy to make, and you can even bundle them up with your Christmas Strawberry and Apple Jam for the ultimate festive gift pack! 🎁✨
Let’s Get Social! 📸
I’d love to see your beautiful jars of Christmas Strawberry and Apple Jam! Snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram—@steph_cooks_stuff. Don’t forget to tag me so I can share your festive creations with the world! 🎄🍓
With just a bit of stirring and a lot of love, you’ll have jars of festive joy ready to gift or enjoy at home. This Strawberry and Apple Jam is sure to become a holiday tradition in your household. Happy jamming, and have a very merry Christmas! 🎅🎁🍓
Strawberry and Apple Jam
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 45 1x
Description
Spread the Christmas cheer with homemade jam 🎄🍓
There’s something magical about giving food gifts at Christmas—especially when it’s a delicious jar of homemade strawberry and apple jam! 🍏🍓 This recipe is easy, affordable (just $4.50 per gift!), and makes the perfect festive treat to share with family and friends. Let’s get jamming!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Throw everything into a big pot, give it a good stir, and bring it to a boil.
- While the jam’s bubbling away, pop your jars in the dishwasher on a hot cycle to sterilise them.
- Once the jam is boiling, turn the heat down to medium and let it simmer but still bubbling, for 30-60 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent it from sticking.
- When it looks thick and luscious, scoop a spoonful onto a plate and let it cool. If it sets nicely, your jam is ready!
- Make sure the jars are still hot when you pour the hot jam in—this helps with sterilisation and keeps your jam fresh longer. Fill the jars right to the top (air is the enemy of good preserves!). Screw the lids on tight, flip the jars upside down, and let them cool like that. This ensures the lids are sterilised, too.
- Once cool, flip the jars upright and store them in your pantry. After opening, keep your jam in the fridge. It’s the perfect little gift to brighten someone’s day—sweet, spicy, and oh-so-Christmassy!
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 60
- Category: Recipes
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Australian
Frequently Asked Questions
No worries! Just pop the Strawberry and Apple Jam back into the pot, add a little extra lemon juice, and boil for another 10 minutes. Do the wrinkle test again, and it should be good to go.
Sugar isn’t just for sweetness—it helps preserve the jam. You can reduce it slightly, but the jam may not set as well, and it won’t last as long. Try using jam-setting sugar if you’re after a low-sugar option.
Yes! If you prefer not to bottle it, let the jam cool and freeze it in airtight containers. Just make sure to leave some space at the top since the jam expands as it freezes. Thaw in the fridge before use.