Cookies-in-a-Jar-Style Cranberry Jam

Of course you’ve heard of cookies in a jar. You assemble all the ingredients and present them, prettily layered in a glass jar. All the fortunate recipient needs to do is add liquid, mix and bake. Result: a delicious batch of cookies.

Well, this year we’re suggesting a change, though the concept remains the same: a ready-to-go present. The cranberry jam in our recipe section can easily be turned into a great gourmet gift.

Make the Perfect Cranberry Jam

It takes just a few minutes to assemble the few ingredients in the recipe. And best of all, the cranberry jam can be cooked up right in the pretty glass jar, in the microwave!

Here are the (simple) steps to follow:

Steps

1. Choose a clear glass jar that holds about 750 ml.

2. Measure 1 ½ cups of fresh organic cranberries and place them in the jar. Add ¼ to 1/3 cup of sugar (white, brown, raw, maple, organic, demerara, coconut, etc.). Adjust the sugar to taste – do you like your cranberry sauce sweet or slightly tangy?

   For a frosted effect, rinse cranberries under running water, then drain. Spread on a baking sheet and sprinkle with sugar, coating well. Let dry for an hour at room temperature before placing jars. The berries will look as though they’ve fallen into a light dusting of snow!

3. Add flavourings of your choice:
   Cinnamon
   A few sprigs of fresh rosemary
   A few sprouts of balsam fir
   1 teaspoon (5 ml) cranberry spice*
   A few drops of orange extract
   A few drops of lemon extract

4. Close lid on the jar. Scroll down for a printable label you can stick to the jar. The label even includes instructions for making the cranberry sauce in the microwave. Or you can transcribe the instructions onto another pretty label and attach it to the jar. If you print out our label, remember to note the flavourings you’ve used.