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A Spiced Winter Cranberry Conserve Recipe with warming Brandy, Cinnamon, Ginger, and Cardamom. When thinking about this cranberry conserve, think of a cranberry jam recipe with a thicker, chunkier texture….either way, it’s a perfect excuse for canning cranberries and a wonderful winter jam recipe or to enjoy year-round!
But you can also freeze or refrigerate this conserve if you don’t feel like canning it. Instructions are below.
Table of Contents
6-ounce Hexagon Jars with Lids
I just can’t help it.
When the days become shorter and a wee bit cooler, I want to embrace all things fall and winter. I spend much more time in my kitchen ‘nesting’ for the months and holidays ahead. This month, I have canned many quarts of chicken stock and bone broth and have plans to use them in some soups that I’ll be canning as well.
I’ve also started putting up some sweeter preserves for our own use and to give as gifts. Canning cranberries and winter jam recipes always say to me, “winter is coming”
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Since last Christmas, I have been mulling (see what I did there? I used ‘Christmas’ and ‘mulling’ in the same sentence…in October!)an idea for a winter cranberry jam recipe that would be thick and chunky and ‘taste like the holidays’ redolent with warming spices like crushed cardamom, ginger and cinnamon and a splash of brandy. This delicious Spiced Winter Cranberry Conserve Recipe is the result of that mulling.
Before we get too far down the track, let’s just back up and spend a quick minute discussing some of the varieties of sweet preserves out there:
Of course, you have your Jams and Jellies…these two start out very similarly, but jellies are made by straining the liquid, thereby removing any fruit bits, while jams embrace the fruit bits. Jellies are typically clear and firmer in texture than jams.
Preserves are like jams but even chunkier. Where you might crush your fruit in a jam, you would have larger pieces in a preserve, which might be even looser than a jam.
Marmalades are typically jams made with the rinds of citrus fruit
Conserves are basically thick, chunky jams with additional dried fruits and nuts tossed in.
So, back to my splendid Spiced Cranberry Conserve recipe…it’s everything I had hoped it would be and then some – a thick, chunky cranberry jam a perfect use for canning, freezing or refrigerating cranberries. Tangy dried apricots and walnuts also add to the texture and flavor of this Spiced Cranberry Conserve recipe as well.
It took me a couple of attempts to get the texture I wanted; I was looking for something a little loose that would drip over the side of a wedge of Brie or a round of Camembert (are you drooling yet?)
If you are familiar with cranberry relish, this conserve is along the same lines…but maybe a bit softer. These winter jam recipes pair so well with many cheeses as amazing appetizers for your holiday gatherings!
This Jelly + Jam Making Basics 101 article discusses Jam Making Basics, including the main ingredients of jams and jellies, their importance, and the basic equipment for making jams and jellies. Additionally, we discuss the differences between various jellied fruits and vegetables. It’s a great resource for new canners or anyone needing a refresh.
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Water Bath Can or Refrigerate Your Preserves
Whether you water bath can or refrigerate/freeze your preserves is up to you.
Water bath canning is a method of preserving preserves, jams, and jellies to make them shelf-stable for up to two years. I walk you through the water bath canning process, but I HIGHLY RECOMMENDThe All New Ball Bookof Canning and Preservingif this is your first time making canned preserves.
To make your preserves shelf stable, all you need is an additional 30 minutes of your time, a water bath canner or pot deep enough to cover your jars by 2 inches, andjars suitable for water bath canning like these or Half-Pint Mason Jars with Self-Sealing Lids. A few more inexpensive pieces of equipment make your canning experience more enjoyable and efficient: a jar/can lifter,magnetic canning lid lifter, andheadspace gaugeitemized below.
If you’d rather refrigerate or freeze your preserves…
The only equipment you still need to prepare is your jars and lids. Just make sure that they are clean and freezer-stable jars. The best jars for freezing are those without shoulders, but instead are straight-sided. Mason jars are great jars to freeze preserves, jams, and jellies in.
Follow the directions as written, ignoring any references to preparing canning equipment. When you reach the directions to ladle the preserves into the jars, leave 1″ of headspace instead of 1/4″. Place lids on the jars and let them come to room temperature. Once they are at room temperature, you can refrigerate or freeze the jars. Your jars of preserves will keep in the freezer for 1 year and 1 month in the refrigerator.
Here are the jars I used, but mine have the black lids.
How to Serve Your Winter Cranberry Conserve
While I made this recipe with a wedge of Camembert in mind, it truly is a versatile condiment:
- We recently made Cubano sandwiches, but instead of mustard and pickle, I put a dollop of this Winter Cranberry Conserve on my sandwich with roast pork, ham, and Swiss cheese. DE…LISH!
- My son smears it on his biscuits.
- It will be delicious with turkey and pork.
- I can’t wait to use it on a meat and cheese tray.
- These lovely jars of winter cranberry jam deliciousness also make wonderful holiday gifts. Attach a sweet little spoon to each jar when you give them.
Looking for More Jam Recipes?
Made with pears, dried cranberries, cinnamon, and ginger, this Cranberry Pear Jam is a lovely fall/winter preserve. Bursting with the warm and comforting flavors of rum and spices, this homemade pear jam is a true treat for your taste buds. Red wine is flavored with classic mulling spices for this delightful Mulled Wine Jelly. Finally, this Yellow Plum Jam Recipe uses cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger for their warming flavors.
Winter Spiced Cranberry Conserve Recipe
lynn
Cranberry Conserve: a perfect winter jam recipe with cranberries, spices, apricots, and nuts
4.58 from 28 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 35 minutes mins
Canning Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
Course Canning, Preserving, Jam + Jellies
Cuisine American
Servings 5 1/2 pint jars
Calories 172 kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 cups cranberries fresh or frozen
- 1 1/2 cups orange juice
- 1/2 cup water
- 3 cups sugar
- 1 TBS crushed cardamom pods tied up in a cheesecloth or put in a tea strainer
- 4-5 sticks cinnamon
- 1 apple I used a Granny Smith
- 1/2 cup dried apricots diced
- 1/2 cup walnuts diced
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 2 TB brandy
Instructions
Prepare canner, jars and lids. See The Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving for guidance
Place a saucer in your freezer
In a large preserving pot or deep, stainless steel saucepan combine cranberries, orange juice, water, cardamom pods, and cinnamon sticks. Bring to a boil and then simmer at the lowest temperature, covered, while you prepare the rest of the ingredients or about 10 minutes.
Chop apples, nuts, and apricots into small dice
Add sugar, return to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently until mixture thickens…about 10-15 minutes.
Add diced apples, nuts and apricots to conserve and cook, stirring constantly for about 5 more minutes
Remove from heat and gel test by placing a small amount of the jam on the plate. Put the plate back in the freezer for 1 minute. If when you push it with your finger it wrinkles a bit it is done.
If gel state has been reached, remove cardamom pods and cinnamon and skim off any foam. Stir in brandy and ground ginger.
Spoon your jam into hot jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace.
Remove air bubbles and wipe the rim with white vinegar.
Center lid on the jar
Screw band down until resistance is met, then increase to fingertip tight.
Place jars in canner, making sure they are completely covered with water by at least one inch.
Cover pot and bring to a boil
Boil for 15 minutes
Turn heat off, remove the lid and let sit for 5 minutes
Carefully remove jars with a jar lifter and place them on a rack where they can be undisturbed for 24 hours.
Refrigerate any jars if their lids don’t pop down.
Notes
This recipe assumes some knowledge of proper and safe canning techniques. Please see the Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving for guidance.
Nutrition
Serving: 1ounceCalories: 172kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 1gFat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 2mgFiber: 2gSugar: 36g
Keyword canning, conserve, cranberry, spiced
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