Description
A fruit-forward, spiced holiday spread combining apples, pears, and cranberries for a sweet and tangy flavor, perfect for gifting or serving during the holidays.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups mixed fruit, chopped (apples, pears, cranberries)
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup raisins or chopped dates (optional)
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans, optional)
- 1 packet powdered fruit pectin or 3 tablespoons powdered pectin (optional)
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare and measure all ingredients, washing and chopping fruit into half inch pieces.
- Macerate the fruit by stirring chopped fruit, raisins or dates, lemon juice, and half of the sugar in a pot and letting it sit for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium low heat, stirring occasionally.
- Add the brown sugar, remaining granulated sugar, and powdered pectin if using, and bring to a steady boil.
- Cook to desired thickness, maintaining a steady boil for 10 to 30 minutes.
- Add spices (cinnamon, ginger, vanilla, and salt) and stir for one to two minutes.
- Sterilize jars by boiling or using a hot dishwasher cycle, then fill with jam leaving a quarter-inch headspace.
- Process jars in a water bath for 10 minutes for shelf stability.
- Label jars with date and contents, and store in a cool dark pantry.
Notes
Use fruits at peak ripeness for best results. For a softer spread, reduce cooking time or skip pectin; for a firmer set, use pectin and cook longer.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Canning
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 75
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 1mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: jam, spread, holiday, homemade, fruit preserve, canning