Description
This Cranberry Orange Jam is a festive, vibrant spread that combines the tartness of cranberries with the bright citrus flavor of oranges. With minimal ingredients and no need for added pectin, it’s a simple yet impressive homemade jam perfect for breakfast, gifting, or holiday dishes.
Ingredients
3 cups fresh cranberries
1 orange, zested and juiced
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cinnamon stick or 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
1/2 cup water
Instructions
1. Rinse cranberries and discard any that are soft or bruised. Zest and juice the orange.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, orange zest, orange juice, sugar, water, and cinnamon if using.
3. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
4. Reduce heat and simmer for 10–15 minutes. Use a potato masher to break down cranberries to your preferred texture.
5. Test consistency using the chilled plate method—place a spoonful on a cold plate and check if it wrinkles when pushed.
6. Once thickened, remove from heat and discard cinnamon stick if used.
7. Carefully ladle jam into sterilized jars, leaving headspace. Seal and let cool.
8. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks or process in a water bath for longer shelf life.
Notes
Use fresh navel oranges for best zest and juice balance.
Frozen cranberries can be used without thawing.
For smoother jam, press through a fine mesh sieve before jarring.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Jam & Spread
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tbsp
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 0
- Fat: 0
- Saturated Fat: 0
- Unsaturated Fat: 0
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 13
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 0
- Cholesterol: 0
Keywords: cranberry orange jam, holiday jam, no pectin, easy jam recipe