The Jar of Sunshine
Hello, my dear. Come sit. The kettle is on. Today we are making sunshine in a jar. This is my Festive Fruit and Berry Preserves. I call it Holiday Jam.
It is not just for December. We make it to capture joy. The red cranberries laugh. The sweet pears sing. The spices tell old stories. Doesn’t that smell amazing? It matters because this jam is a memory keeper. You will taste it next winter and remember today.
A Little Story for You
My grandson once called this “Christmas in his mouth.” I still laugh at that. He was five. He got it on his nose.
He is grown now. But I send him a jar every year. It is our little tradition. That is the second reason this matters. Food is a quiet way to say “I love you.” Do you have a food that makes you think of someone special?
Let’s Get Started
First, put two small plates in the freezer. They help us later. Then get your jars warm in a big pot of water. Just let them sit in the hot water.
Now, the fun part. In your big pot, mix the cranberries, shredded pears, water, and orange zest and juice. Let it bubble until the cranberries pop. They go *pop pop pop*! It sounds like tiny fireworks.
The Magic of Sugar and Spice
Next, stir in the sugar and all the spices. The cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. It will smell like a cozy kitchen hug. Let it boil and stir until the sugar is gone.
Then, mash it a bit. I use my old potato masher. You want it mostly smooth. Now cook it again. You need a thermometer. Cook until it hits 217 to 220 degrees. This is the jam’s “ready” temperature.
Is It Jam Yet?
Here is where the cold plate helps. Put a tiny spoonful on it. Put it back in the freezer for two minutes. Then drag your finger through it. If the path stays clear, it is perfect! If it is runny, cook it a tiny bit more.
*Fun fact: This is called the “wrinkle test.” Grandmas have used it for centuries!* Skim off any foam on top. It is just bubbles, but we do not want them in our jars.
Filling the Jars with Care
Carefully take your hot jars from the water. Dry them upside down on a towel for a minute. Use a funnel to fill them with hot jam. Leave a little space at the top.
Run a wooden skewer around the inside. This gets rid of hidden air bubbles. They can cause trouble later. Do you think you will use pretty jars or simple ones?
Keeping Your Sunshine Safe
You have two choices. For the fridge, just let the jam cool, lid it, and wait a day. It will be thick and ready. It keeps for two months.
For shelf storage, you must seal the jars in a boiling water bath. The time depends on how high you live above the sea. This keeps your jam safe for a whole year. Then you can share your sunshine anytime. Will you give any jars away as gifts?
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cranberries | 1 pound (4 cups) | Fresh or frozen whole cranberries |
| Pears | 1 pound (1¾ cups shredded) | Ripe but firm, peeled and shredded |
| Water | 1 cup | |
| Orange zest and juice | 2 tbsp zest + ½ cup juice | From about 2 oranges |
| Sugar | 3 cups | |
| Ground cinnamon | 2 teaspoons | |
| Ground nutmeg | ¼ teaspoon | |
| Ground cloves | ¼ teaspoon | |
| Ground ginger | ¼ teaspoon |
My Holiday Jam: A Jar of Christmas Morning
Hello, my dear. Come sit at the table. Let me tell you about my favorite jam. It tastes like December itself. I make it every year, just before the holidays. The whole house smells of cinnamon and orange. It reminds me of my own grandmother’s kitchen. She always had a pot bubbling. I still laugh at that memory.
This jam is special. It’s not just for toast. We spoon it over pancakes on Christmas morning. Doesn’t that sound lovely? The cranberries give it a cheerful, ruby-red color. The pears make it silky smooth. It’s a little sweet, a little tart. Just perfect. Let me show you how we make it together.
Step 1: First, we get our jars ready. Place two small plates in the freezer. They help us test the jam later. Now, put your clean jars in a big pot of water. Bring the water to a gentle simmer. Then turn off the heat. This keeps the jars warm and cozy. (A hard-learned tip: Always start with hot jars. Cold jars can crack when filled with hot jam!).
Step 2: Now for the fun part! In your big Dutch oven, combine the cranberries, pears, water, and orange zest and juice. Bring it all to a boil. Listen for the cranberries to pop. It sounds like tiny fireworks! Once they burst, stir in the sugar and all the lovely spices. Smell that? It’s the smell of holidays. Let the sugar melt completely.
Step 3: Take the pot off the heat. Use a potato masher to gently crush the fruit. I like it mostly smooth, with a few bits for texture. Then, bring it back to a lively boil. Cook it, stirring often, until it thickens. This takes about 10 minutes. We want it to reach about 217 degrees on a thermometer. What’s your favorite smell from the kitchen during the holidays? Share below!
Step 4: Time for the plate test! Get one of your chilled plates. Drop a tiny spoonful of jam on it. Pop it back in the freezer for two minutes. Then, drag your finger through it. If the path stays clear, it’s ready! If it’s runny, cook it a tiny bit longer. Skim off any foam with a spoon. This makes your jam beautifully clear.
Step 5: Carefully take your hot jars from the water. Dry them quickly. Use a ladle and funnel to fill them with the hot jam. Leave a little space at the top. Run a wooden skewer around the inside to remove air bubbles. Tiny bubbles can spoil the seal. We don’t want that!
Step 6: You have two choices now. For the fridge, just let the jam cool, cover it, and refrigerate. It will set overnight. For pantry storage, wipe the jar rims, add the lids, and screw on the rings. Process them in the boiling water bath. The time depends on how high you live above the sea. Let the jars cool completely for 24 hours. Then check the seals. A sealed “pop” is a happy sound.
Cook Time: 45–60 minutes
Total Time: About 2 hours (plus cooling)
Yield: 4 cups
Category: Condiment, Preserves
Three Twists on a Classic
This recipe is like a good friend. It welcomes little changes. Here are some fun ideas I’ve tried over the years. Each one makes a new memory.
The Apple Ginger Twist: Swap the pears for tart green apples. Add an extra teaspoon of fresh grated ginger. It’s wonderfully zingy!
The Berry Merry Blend: Use half cranberries and half frozen raspberries. The color is a deep, glorious pink. My grandchildren love this one.
The Vanilla Pear Version: Skip the cloves and ginger. Add a whole vanilla bean, split, while cooking. It’s softly sweet and elegant.
Which one would you try first? Comment below!
Serving Your Sparkling Jam
Oh, this jam is not shy! It loves to be the star. Spread it on warm scones with clotted cream. That’s my favorite afternoon treat. Or swirl it into plain yogurt for a festive breakfast. You can even glaze a baked ham with it. Just thin a little with orange juice.
What to drink? A cup of strong black tea is perfect. It cuts the sweetness just right. For a special evening, a glass of sparkling wine pairs beautifully. The bubbles dance with the fruit. Which would you choose tonight?
Keeping Your Jam Cozy and Ready
Let’s talk about keeping your jam happy. For short-term storage, just pop it in the fridge. It will be ready to spread in a day. It keeps well there for two whole months. For long-term storage, follow the canning steps. This seals the jars tight. Your jam can live in the pantry for a year.
I remember my first batch of jam. I was so proud. I gave jars to all my neighbors for Christmas. Batch cooking like this saves you time later. It also makes wonderful, heartfelt gifts. A homemade jar says “I care about you” in the sweetest way.
Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below! Knowing how to store food safely matters. It means less waste and more joy. You can enjoy your hard work for many months to come.
Jam Troubles? Let’s Fix Them Together
Sometimes jam can be tricky. Here are three common fixes. First, if your jam is too runny, just cook it a bit longer. Use the chilled plate test I showed you. It is your best friend.
Second, do not forget to skim the foam. I once left the foam in. The jam looked cloudy. Skimming gives you a clear, pretty jam. Third, always use the wooden skewer to remove air bubbles. This helps make a good seal when canning.
Which of these problems have you run into before? Fixing small issues builds your cooking confidence. You learn by doing. It also makes sure your jam tastes and looks perfect. Every batch teaches you something new.
Your Quick Jam Questions Answered
Q: Is this jam gluten-free? A: Yes, all the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
Q: Can I make it ahead? A: Absolutely! That is the best part about preserves.
Q: What if I do not have pears? A: Try a firm apple instead. It will work just fine.
Q: Can I double the recipe? A: You can, but use a very big pot. Jam bubbles up high.
Q: Any optional tips? A: A tiny pinch of black pepper makes the berries sparkle. Fun fact: This is an old baker’s secret!
Which tip will you try first?
From My Kitchen to Yours
I hope you love making this jam. The smell of it cooking is pure holiday magic. It fills your whole house with warmth. I would love to see your creations. Sharing food is how we share our stories.
Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! Use our handle @ThornesKitchenNook. I cannot wait to see your beautiful jars. Thank you for cooking with me today.
Happy cooking!
—Elowen Thorn.
