Easy Cranberry Jam Recipe (Small Batch)
This Easy Cranberry Jam is bursting with holiday flavor – fresh cranberries, sweet sugar, and bright orange zest come together in minutes for a simple, delicious spread that doesn’t need any added pectin. Add a splash of almond liqueur to make it extra special and enjoy it on biscuits, toast, or your favorite Thanksgiving dishes. This easy cranberry jam recipe is perfect for gifting or adding a festive touch to your table this holiday season!
Cranberry Jam Recipe
Have you seen this Tiktok viral recipe for Cranberry Jam? I decided to make some after having leftover cranberries that I bought to make sugared cranberries as a garnish. I had a bunch of extra berries and didn’t know what to do with the rest of them.
This easy homemade cranberry jam blends tart cranberries with bright orange zest and just the right touch of sweetness for a perfectly delicious cranberry orange jam.
It’s perfect for spreading on toast, pairing with cheese boards, or serving alongside your favorite holiday dishes. But my favorite use… a topping for cheesecake:
No special equipment or complicated steps – just simmer everything on medium heat and enjoy a batch of vibrant, cranberry orange jam that tastes like pure holiday cheer.
Homemade jams are also perfect for gift-giving during the holidays! You might even call this “Christmas Jam” with it’s beautiful red color and festive, seasonal flavors.
Tools
- Large Saucepan
- Mason Jars with lids (for storage)
- Potato Masher, Food Processor, or Immersion Blender
Cranberry Jam Ingredients
With just a handful of simple ingredients, you can make this delicious homemade jam for your holiday celebrations or to give as gifts.
- Whole, Fresh Cranberries – packed with natural pectin, fresh cranberries help the jam thicken without additional additives. If you can’t find fresh, frozen cranberries work too – just give them a good rinse before using.
- Sugar – plain white sugar
- Orange Zest
- Fresh orange juice
- Almond liqueur (optional)
Find the complete recipe with ingredient measurements in the recipe card below.
How to Make Cranberry Jam
This is the easiest jam you’ll ever make!
- Start by adding the cranberries, sugar, orange zest, and juice to a saucepan.
- Bring to a boil and then continue to simmer for 15-20 minutes, until cranberries become soft and the mixture thickens.
- Mash your berries or run everything through a blender, depending on how you like your jam. I like to run mine through a blender.
- Pour the finished jam into mason jars for storage. Allow to cool to room temperature, then wipe jar rims before placing the lids on.
- Top all your Thanksgiving faves with this jam. Enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
Charcuterie Board. This jam pairs beautifully with cheeses, nuts, and cured meats, adding a bright, tangy contrast that enhances every bite.
Toast or Biscuits. Spread it on fresh-baked bread or warm biscuits for a sweet-tart spread that makes breakfast or any snack special.
Desserts. Use this jam in thumbprint cookies, over bundt cake, between layers of white almond sour cream cake (instead of raspberry filling), in a trifle, or over a slice of cheesecake.
Holiday Turkey or Ham. Use this jam as a condiment to complement your festive turkey recipe. Its like cranberry sauce, but better!
Freezing & Storing Leftovers
Storing in the Refrigerator: Store your jam in clean mason jars with tight lids in the refrigerator. For immediate or short-term use, refrigerate after opening and consume within two to three weeks.
Freezing: Let your cranberry orange jam cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer-safe glass jar. Freeze for up to three months. When ready, thaw in the fridge overnight and stir before serving to refresh the texture.
💡 Tip: Always let the jam cool completely before sealing and refrigerating, and use a clean spoon each time you scoop some out to help it stay fresh longer.
FAQ
Yes, frozen cranberries are a great substitute. Just thaw and rinse them before use to reduce excess water in the jam.
This recipe is not meant for canning but rather for immediate use or short-term storage in the fridge. To do that, you just need to clean jars thoroughly with hot, soapy water.
It should be kept in the refrigerator and used within two to three weeks or the freezer up to three months.
No worries, it’s completely optional. The jam is delicious without it, but the liqueur adds a nice depth if you choose to include it.
More Delicious Recipes
- Instant Pot Blueberry Jam
- Easy Bacon Jam Recipe
- Easy Candied Cranberries Recipe (Video)
- Instant Pot Cranberry Orange Cheesecake
- Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Wreath
- Best Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad Recipe
- Easy Christmas Mimosa (or Cranberry Mimosa)
Easy Cranberry Jam Recipe (Small Batch)
Description
This Easy Cranberry Jam is bursting with holiday flavor – fresh cranberries, sweet sugar, and bright orange zest come together in minutes for a simple, delicious spread that doesn’t need any added pectin. Add a splash of almond liqueur to make it extra special and enjoy it on biscuits, toast, or your favorite Thanksgiving dishes. This easy cranberry jam recipe is perfect for gifting or adding a festive touch to your table this holiday season!
Ingredients
- 1 (12 oz.) bag of Whole Cranberries
- 1 cup of Sugar
- 1 tablespoons of Orange Zest
- 1/4 cup Fresh Orange Juice
- 2 tablespoons of Almond Liqueur (optional)
Instructions
- Start by adding your cranberries, sugar, orange zest, and juice to a sauce pan.
- Bring to a boil and then continue to simmer for 15-20 minutes or until cranberries become soft and mixture thickens.
- Mash your berries or run everything through a blender depending on how you like your jam. I like to run mine through a blender.
- Pour into mason jars for storage. Allow to cool before placing the lids on.
- Top all of your Thanksgiving faves (sweet or savory) with this jam. Enjoy!
