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With holiday feasts just around the corner, cranberry recipes are abundant. When I made this jam I didn’t have turkey dinner in mind; I was actually thinking more along the lines of breakfast. I wanted something festive and fall-like to spread on toast or stir into a bowl of oats or yogurt. I’ve been using this sweet/tart jam as a breakfast accompaniment, but of course it would also fantastic as part of a turkey meal.
When I first started my Halloween Candy-Making Event I promised a chocolate-related giveaway. I wanted do something different with this giveaway, so I thought a little contest would be fun. Another reason I made this jam is because I need it for my upcoming fourth and final (!) candy recipe. Any idea what kind of candy I could be making with cranberry jam? To participate in this giveaway, leave a comment here letting me know what kind of candy you think I’m making with cranberry jam.
The person who guesses correctly will get 2 lbs of Guittard chocolate – 1 lb of milk chocolate and 1 lb of white chocolate. If more than one person guesses correctly I’ll randomly draw a winner from those who guessed correctly, and if no one guesses correctly I’ll randomly draw a winner from everyone who participated. This contest ends Wednesday, October 27 at 12 AM EST; after that I’ll announce the winner. Good luck to all!
Here’s the Prize: 2 lb of Guittard Chocolate
Warm-Spiced Cranberry Jam
(Yield: About 2 1/2 c)
1 medium-large apple
2 c cranberry juice (such as POM Wonderful)
12 oz cranberries
3/4 c sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp lemon juice
3-quart thick-bottomed pot with a lid
Wash, peel, and core the apples. Put the peels and cores in a 3-quart thick-bottomed pot with a lid, add the cranberry juice, and bring up to a boil. Once boiling, turn down to low and simmer (covered) about 15 minutes until the peels are soft. Strain out the peels and cores and reserve the liquid. Add enough water to the liquid so you end up with 2 c; transfer the liquid back to the pot.
Chop the peeled and cored apples (you should end up with 1 slightly heaping cup) and add them to the pot with the liquid; cook over medium heat (covered, stirring occasionally) for 10 minutes, or until the apples are starting to soften. While the apples cook, rinse the cranberries and look them over to remove any bad ones. Mash the cooked apples in the pot with a fork or potato masher, then add the cranberries, sugar, and spices and cook over medium heat (covered, stirring occasionally) for 20 minutes. Be careful not to get burned because the cranberries will pop open and may splatter. Turn off the heat and add the lemon juice; the jam will thicken more as it cools. Store refrigerated.
I’m the writer, recipe developer, photographer, and food stylist behind this blog. I love finding the human connection through something we all do every day: eat! Food is a common ground that we can all relate to, and our tables tell a story. It’s my goal to inspire you to get in the kitchen, try something new, and find a favorite you didn’t know you had.
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I was looking for something other than cranberry sauce, will definately make this. Thank you.
Thanks!!!! I didn’t realize this new product even existed!
Sounds yummy. But before I make it, I have a question – you say use 2 c cranberry juice, but then you say “such as POM” which is pomegranite juice. Which did you use or is it up to the cook’s preference?
Kristin, POM also makes cranberry juice; here’s the link to their new product: http://www.pomwonderful.com/products/juice/cranberry2/. If you can’t find it, you could use any brand of cranberry juice you like, or substitute with another type of juice (apple would be nice or even pomegranate). Hope you like the jam!
Ingrid, Yay, I’m so glad you liked the jam! I love tart & tangy too. :)
Hey, Faith! I made your jam. It’s very good though tart, which I am totally okay with as I love tart & tangy. Thank you for sharing.
~ingrid
The only time I’ve put cranberries and apples together was in a compote style sauce which I freeze in glass jars for all kinds of uses. Now, your spiced jam does indeed sound delicious! Gorgeoud pics.
So, what’s Faith going to make with her favourite chocolate? Hmm…I do know one thing…it’ll will be supurb and creative. Maybe chocolate molds with the cranberry jam filling. However, I get the feeling you’re going to surprise us with something completely unexpected ;o)
Looking forward to your concoction.
Claudia
I’m going to guess you are making cranberry gelées!!!
Nice giveaway…I have no idea though. Love the jam recipe, so flavorful :)
I’m going to guess Truffles~yummilicious=)
Thanks!
Beautiful blog and beautiful jam. Maybe some kind of chocolate bark or bar with some cranberry jam as filling.
Lovely colors, am surely going to try this soon.
This jam looks great! I love cranberries. It’s also great that they are super good for your health. I drink organic cranberry juice every morning. Now onto this candy….I would have to guess truffles. Or maybe some sort of chocolate covered cherry but substituting cranberries instead.
Mmm, this is like a holiday in a jar! Perfect for this time of year. And the color is so festive.
Hmmmm, maybe a cookie filled with jelly??? I love chocolate anything, what a great give away!
I’d love to have some of your delicious jam to swirl into my oatmeal! Maybe jam truffles?
Some kind of jelly candy, I think. Maybe the Russian style jelly cones covered in chocolate.
i wish i knew what u were making, oh i lovee the chocolate giveaway!!
And maybe u can bundle a tiny vial of the gorgeous jam too!!
All i can think of u using this chocolate or white chocolate to make filled chocolates:-)
Love the cranberry jelly!! Are you going to make cranberry pops?
Mmm tart fruit jams are my favorite and I’d love to try some of this. I honestly am not a big candy eater or maker and have no idea what you’ll be making but I can’t wait to find out!
Cranberry-filled chocolate truffles?
Canberry-filled fleur de sel caramels?
Homemade cranberry tootsie pops with hard candy coating?
What? No good?
I have been thinking about this all day and the only thing I can come up with are those chocolates that have a fruity inside – I have no idea if those are truffles?
I am not a candy maker, but my guess would be some sort of gummies….that jam looks delicious as is!
Sounds like a treat to me! I posted my cranberry jam/sauce that I make every fall for the winter: Thanksgiving (Canadian Thanksgiving is the second weekend of October), Christmas and Easter. It is very basic (did you see it?) and this one is definitely the \”jazzy version\’
;)
VALERIE
I was actually thinking what a lovely breakfast spread that would make too! We don’t tend to cook a lot of turkey here but I also imagine it would go well with other meat too! :)
Your cranberry jam looks fantastic! Now for the candy – I’ll go with – dark chocolates filled with cranberry jam… Can’t wait to see what you make!
Yay Chrissie is coming!! I am jealous of your fresh cranberries, they are so rare here in Oz. Actually, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen fresh cranberries… As for candy, from jam? Really? I can’t wait to see your creation! The only thing in my head now is pate de fruit!
The jam certainly sounds and looks fantastic.. as far as the candy?? How bout lollipops?
I think it is a type of Cranberry Bark Candy. Could it be?!
This jam sounds marvelously delicious! I bet it would be great in place of jelly on a PB+J.
Now as for this giveaway…I’m thinking you are going to use it as the filling for chocolate. Like those raspberry jam-stuffed little pieces of chocolate.
as much as i’d love a couple pounds of yummy chocolate, i haven’t a clue as to what you’ll be making with your jam! i think some linzer cookies would be tasty, or perhaps some swirled fudge, but let’s be honest–you can’t go wrong!
I never thought of making cranberry jam! Great idea! Hmmm…I’m thinking you’d either make cranberry truffles or cranberry cream centers dipped in chocolate or white chocolate bark swirled with the jam.
I have not a clue what you are gonna make with that chocolate and jam but I know it will be a knockout. Great giveaway.
Let’s see I’ll toss out two ideas:
A chocolate layer cake with this jam smeared in the layers
Cranberry Jelly filled chocolates
xo
I’ve never made candy from a jam, but this sounds like it would pair well with chocolate.
Maybe a jam filled chocolate candy?
I was going to say Turkish Delight but I hope your going to make Cranberry Snakes, love those little sukka’s ;)
Love the colour in Cranberry Jams & Jellies, so rich & yummy.
Free chocolate? I’m in!
I’m guessing some kind of chocolate with a cranberry-jelly center? Kind of like what they do with cherry jelly in chocolates. :)
I love that you used an apple instead of boxed pectin in the jelly!
Truffles?
I am so jealous, we don’t have cranberries in Greece. This is such a shame. This jam is perfect for breakfast or to fill with it soft chcolate cookies.
I love the apple addition. I make a cranberry sauce that used apple juice, such a good flavor combo.
Will you make some cranberry jelly candies and maybe dip them in chocolate? Tough contest but awesome priza!
Jam looks delicious! Love the flavors in it, perfect for fall and looks fantastic for breakfast!
Maybe a truffle or brownies with the jam layer all then covered with melted dark chocolate! yum!
Is it some sort of cranberry jelly candy? Perhaps dipped in chocolate?
Faith,
What awesome giveaway for the chocoholic. I do not know what you have on the mind. However, I already have a great idea to put this wonderful spiced cranberry jam recipe to use. I am going to make some Faith Spiced Cranberry Jam filled doughnuts. Nice!
Have a great weekend…
Oh man, forgot to guess – could it be a Turkish delight type of candy?
Jam is such a gorgeous color! I love cranberry in every form – bookmarking to make at Thanksgiving.
I have no idea about the giveaway without cheating and looking it up. ;) But that jam looks delicious! I do love cranberry flavored dishes during the holidays!
Wow, that jam looks so delicious!!!
I bet you are making those jelly rings dipped in chocolate that are always around during the holidays.
Thanks for a great giveaway!
I love the idea of making my own jam, but I always worry if i will jar it wrong and it will get mouldy. I just don’t trust myself LOL. Great giveaway!
Have a wonderful weekend.
*kisses* HH
That sounds like such a warming and wonderful jam! Back home I would try this recipe with lingonberries!
Oh that looks so good! Wish I could think of a candy because that chocolate looks good too!
That jam looks delicious!
Cheers,
Rosa
I’m all over this looks good and I bet tastes even better!
I’m thinking the cranberry sauce is for edible “blood”. :)
~ingrid
Gorgeous color… I can imagine this is delicious with pates in the winter!
I have never thought about making cranberry jam! It looks gorgeous! I am going to prepare a portion.
Faith,
Cranberry Jam looks delicious. I love cranberry, but tried only with dried ones. Fresh i need to buy. White chocolate is my favorite too.