This Apple Cranberry Jam combines the sweetness of apples with the tart flavor of cranberries and a touch of warm spice. I originally created this jam as the filling for my Apple Cranberry Jam Cookies, but it is just as delicious spread on toast, bagels, or English muffins. The combination of fruit and spices makes it especially nice for fall and holiday baking.
The jam thickens as it cools, making it easy to spoon onto breakfast favorites or use as a filling for homemade cookies.
A Quick Look: Apple Cranberry Jam
Recipe Name: Apple Cranberry Jam
Make Ahead: Prepare the day before using
Refrigerate: Overnight
Texture: Thick and spoonable, with tender apple pieces
Flavor Profile: Sweet-tart apples and cranberries with warm holiday spices
Difficulty: Easy
Why You'll Like This Jam
🍎 Fresh fruit flavor: Granny Smith apples and cranberries give this jam a nice balance of sweet and tart.
🍊 Homemade spice blend: My Holiday Spice adds cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and a little orange peel.
🥯 More than a cookie filling: Try it on toast, bagels, or English muffins.
Ingredients
My Holiday Spice
- Orange Peel Powder: Adds a hint of citrus to My Holiday Spice. Use a finely ground powder so it mixes evenly with the other spices.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Apple Cranberry Jam
- Granny Smith Apple: Its tart flavor balances the sugar and cranberries.
- Cranberries: Add the bright color and tart flavor.
- Lemon: Use both the zest and juice for a fresh citrus note.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Apple Cranberry Jam
Make My Holiday Spice
If you have a favorite holiday spice blend, you can use it. If you would like to try something different, here is my mixture.
Step 1:
| Ingredients | For the Jam | Larger Batch (3X) |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Cinnamon | 1 teaspoon | 3 teaspoons |
| Ground Ginger | ¼ teaspoon | ¾ teaspoon |
| Ground Nutmeg | ¼ teaspoon | ¾ teaspoon |
| Ground Allspice | ⅛ teaspoon | ⅜ teaspoon |
| Orange Peel Powder | ⅛ teaspoon | ⅜ teaspoon |
Combine the spices in a small bowl and mix well. Store any leftover Holiday Spice in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
Make the Apple Cranberry Jam
Prep
Step 2: Gather your lemon, zester, juicer, and two small bowls.
Step 3: Zest and juice the lemon, keeping them in separate bowls until needed.
Step 4: Peel and dice the Granny Smith apple. Depending on its size, you should have about 1¼ to 1½ cups of diced apple.
Cook the Apple Cranberry Jam
I make this jam the day before I need it so the spices have time to blend with the fruit.
Step 5: Add the apples, cranberries, sugar, and water to a 3-quart saucepan. Heat over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.
Step 6: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil. As you stir, the cranberries will begin to split. Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, and 1 teaspoon of My Holiday Spice.
Step 7: Continue stirring as the liquid reduces. The cranberries will turn the mixture red, and the apple pieces will begin to soften.
Step 8: Once most of the liquid has reduced, remove the pan from the heat. Drag a wooden spoon across the bottom of the pan. If the jam does not immediately flow back into the path, it is ready. If it fills in right away, return the pan to the heat and cook a little longer before testing again.
Step 9: Let the jam cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer it to a clean, heat-safe glass container. Let it cool before covering with a lid and refrigerating overnight. This is refrigerator jam, not shelf-stable canned jam.
This Apple Cranberry Jam isn't just for cookies! Try spreading it over cream cheese on a toasted bagel. The sweet and tart fruit flavors, along with the warm holiday spices, make a delicious combination.
Storage & Freezing
🫙 Storage
Keep the jam covered in the refrigerator and use a clean spoon each time. Because this is a homemade refrigerator jam, it is not suitable for pantry storage. For best quality, use within about 1 week.
❄️ Freezing
For longer storage, freeze cooled jam in a freezer-safe container, leaving room for expansion. Use within about 2 to 3 months for best quality. Thaw in the refrigerator and stir before serving; the fruit may be a little softer after thawing.
A note about freezing: I have not personally tested freezing this jam. The guidance above is general advice for homemade fruit spreads.
Looking for substitutions or additional storage tips? Choose an option below for guidance.
FAQs
Yes. I like to make it the day before I need it so the spices have time to blend with the fruit. Keep it covered in the refrigerator overnight.
Yes! I like Granny Smith apples because their tart flavor balances the sugar and cranberries. Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Braeburn apples are good alternatives. Sweeter apples may make the jam a little sweeter, while softer varieties may break down more during cooking.
Other Jams to Try
If you tried this Apple Cranberry Jam recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a ⭐ star rating and share your thoughts in the comments. Thanks!
Recipe
Apple Cranberry Jam
Ingredients
MY HOLIDAY SPICE BLEND
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon ground
- ¼ teaspoon Nutmeg ground
- ¼ teaspoon Ginger ground
- ⅛ teaspoon Allspice ground
- ⅛ teaspoon Orange peel powder
APPLE CRANBERRY JAM
- 1 Granny Smith apple about 1 ½ cups diced
- 1 cup (100 g) Fresh cranberries
- 1 ¼ cup (250 g) Sugar white
- ¼ cup (59.15 g) Water
- 1 teaspoon My Holiday Spice Blend
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon juice
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon zest
Instructions
MY HOLIDAY SPICE BLEND
- Combine the cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, and orange peel powder in a small bowl. Mix well, then transfer to an airtight container. Use 1 teaspoon for the jam and save the remaining blend to adjust the flavor to your taste.
APPLE CRANBERRY JAM
- Zest and juice the lemon into separate small bowls and set aside. Peel and core the Granny Smith apple, then cut it into quarters. Dice the apple into small, even pieces.
- In a 3-quart saucepan, combine the diced apples, cranberries, water, and sugar. Heat over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring frequently. As the cranberries begin to pop open and the apple pieces soften, add the lemon juice, lemon zest, and 1 teaspoon of My Holiday Spice Blend. Stir until everything is well combined.
- Once the liquid has reduced to a syrupy consistency, remove the pan from the heat. To check if the jam is ready, drag a wooden spoon across the bottom of the pan. If the jam does not immediately flow back into the path, it is done. If it fills in right away, return the pan to the heat and cook a little longer before testing again.
- Let the jam cool in the saucepan for a few minutes, then transfer it to a clean, heat-safe glass jar. Allow the jam to cool before covering with a lid and refrigerating overnight. This gives the fruit and spices time to blend and allows the jam to thicken.
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Recipe Notes
NUTRITION DISCLAIMER
I am not a certified Dietitian or Nutritionist. The nutrition amounts given below are provided through a program and are only a guideline.
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