Cranberry Jam -15 minute

Name: 📋 Cranberry Jam - 15 minute
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 13 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 500 g fresh cranberries (5 cups); 150 g cane sugar (¾ cup) (add 200 g if you like it sweet); 1 large cinnamon stick; 2 tablespoons rose water (optional - alternatively plain water ); 1 tablespoon orange and lemon zest

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This super easy homemade cranberry jam recipe is ready in just under 15 minutes. Yes, less than 15 min! It is made with 1 or 2 cups of cranberries and a couple more, straightforward ingredients. A truly versatile cranberry preserve that is also nutritionally rich and a true immune system booster and you do not need to add pectin.

Cranberry jam in a little glass on a dark worktop, a wooden board with bread slices above and an artisan teaspoon right next to it — Cranberry jam

Here is my comeback recipe after a good few months of not finding the time to post a new recipe. As some of you know, I was pretty caught up with the complete re-make from scratch of my kitchen. It is all done and ready now and I am super happy.

I am sure it will all feel amazing soon once I get a grip on where everything is. It was me that arranged it, haha, but ... you know what I mean, right? A new kitchen and an older brain .... hmmm, such a combo!

I cannot believe that my last post was also a jam recipe, it was an autumn elderberry jam which is absolutely amazing too. My next jam recipe will be a kumquat jam recipe which I absolutely love so, stay tuned.

Jump to:

💭 Why this jam recipe works?
🥘 What you need
🔪 How to make this recipe?
❓FAQs
👪 How do I use cranberry jam?
🤹‍♂️ Variations
📦 Storage
📍Cook's tips
📌 Recipes this cranberry preserve would go well with
⭐ Other jam recipes you might consider making
📋 Cranberry Jam - 15 minute

💭 Why this jam recipe works?

because cranberries are in season around holiday times so it is fun to make around the Christmas holidays. However, cranberries can be purchased frozen and made into a jam all throughout the year.
I do make it in small batches a few times throughout the year (max 1kg/2.2lb of fruit) because I do like it freshly made but also because I add significantly less sugar so it will not last as much as the one that has a 1:1 ratio of fruit : sugar.
it is the perfect recipe if you are looking for fresh, quick, and delish cranberry recipes, this is one to make. It only requires 2-5 ingredients but in principle is fruit simmered with sugar.
this cranberry jam recipe has that perfectly balanced flavors and tartness/ sweetness making it the perfect topping for these mini pancakes cereal or any breakfast you may think of including Dutch baby pancakes.
no fancy equipment is needed to make this cranberry jam recipe
it cooks realy fast no pectin is needed for this jam recipe as cranberries are naturally high in pectin.

If you like making homemade jams, have you ever thried making a chilli jam? Check out this wonderful chili and ginger jam recipe which pairs really well with Goats Cheese Tartlets if onion chutney isn't your thing.

🥘 What you need

Here are the 5 ingredients you will need for this recipe.

Fresh cranberries ( frozen or dried can also be used).
Cane sugar - it is not as sweet as the caster sugar but add more if needed.
Lemon rind - orange zest can also work really well in this recipe.
Cinnamon - I used sticks but ground cinnamon can also be used.
Rose water (this is optional) - this can be subbed by water or orange juice

See the recipe card for exact quantities and some useful notes and tips.

🔪 How to make this recipe?

Cranberries in a white bowl and the remaining ingredients in the background.

1) Gather all ingredients - the cranberries should be washed and ready.

Cranberry mixed with sugar and lemon zest ready to be cooked.

2) Place a pan on medium fire and add all ingredients.

3) Cook and stir occasionally, keep an eye on it, and please don't go away or far from it.

Small batch of cranberry jam with cinnamon sticks ready to be jarred.

4) - Once reached the right consistency, the jam is ready to be stored.

Cranberry jam is super quick and easy to make. Anyone can give this a go. If you have that extra bag or bags of cranberries left over from Thanksgiving or the Christmas period, this is what you should do rather than waste them.

❓FAQs

Is cranberry sauce the same as cranberry jam?

They are made the same way except that cranberry jam has a lot more sugar added so it is sweeter and may contain extra ingredients such as spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice) or orange juice or rind/zest. Cranberry sauce is usually more savory and thicker and has a lot less sugar added and is generally served with meat. Cranberry preserve is sweeter and can be used as a topping on almost any breakfast you may think of.

Do I need to add pectin to this jam?

Cranberries are naturally rich in pectin and the jam will not require any pectin to be added. The cooking time is what determines the consistency of the jam/sauce. The more you cook it the thicker the jam will get.

Can I use frozen cranberries?

Yes, absolutely but I would say to make sure the berries are not covered in a lot of ice as that means extra water added to the jam resulting in a cooking time increase and also overcooking the berries.
If you are freezing the berries make sure they dried properly after washing those before transferring these to the freezer.

How long can I keep cranberry jam for?

In the fridge/refrigeratir will last up to a month but can also be frozen for a good 6-8 months.

👪 How do I use cranberry jam?

Cranberry jam can make a superb addition to many dishes.

This delicious cranberry preserve makes the perfect accompaniment to all your favorite treats - starting with a

morning toast,
waffles and going all the way to
an evening cheese board. This scrumptious jam will add a hint of flavor that pairs wonderfully with any dish and not to mention the vibrant color! Simply wonderful.
This Jam And Fresh Fruit Tartlets is a wonderful recipe you could use for this cranberry preserve.
it works well as a cheesecake topping.

🤹‍♂️ Variations

Cranberry jam is pretty versatile despite asking for just 4-5 ingredients at one time, but here are some ideas and what I do sometimes for variety.

Make it spicy - add some chili flakes while cooking to bring heat into the dish;
Make it exotic - add ginger, fresh turmeric, black pepper, and/or pineapple chunks;
Add nuts or seeds - add walnuts, whole almonds or chia, and sunflower seeds - these can be added right at the end (1 minute before taking it off the heat)
Add coconut for extra flavor - desiccated coconut is the best option - just a couple of tablespoons for a different level.

Cranberry preserve in a jar with a little rope tied in a bow around the neck of the jar.

📦 Storage

The jam will last up to 8 months if sealed properly in sterilized jars but if you are making just a small batch for immediate use, keep it in a jar or in an airtight container refrigerated and use it as many times as it lasts. It will last up to 1 month refrigerated.

📍Cook's tips

Keep a good eye on this jam while making it and make sure you allocate time to actually be stirring in, almost constantly, as this will ready super quickly. Cranberries are rich in pectin and the jam reaches the right consistency in no time.

If you decide to make a bigger batch, use a big enough pot with a large surface (bottom area) so the fruits don't overcook. The moisture will evaporate quicker allowing the fruits to cook for less hence more nutrition and vitamins preserved.

Feel free to double or treble this recipe for this wonderful berry jam.

📌 Recipes this cranberry preserve would go well with

⭐ Other jam recipes you might consider making

Perfect quince jam
40 Minutes
Homemade Horseradish and Roasted Beetroot Relish
55 Minutes
Chilli, Ginger And Lemon Rind Jam
20 Minutes
Simple Elderberry Jam (3 Ingredients)
40 Minutes