Cranberry Jam Toast Delight (Printable)
Vibrant cranberry spread atop crispy toast, offering a tangy-sweet flavor ideal for breakfast or snacking.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cranberry Jam
01 - 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
02 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
04 - Zest of 1 orange
05 - 1/4 cup water
06 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
07 - Pinch of salt
→ Toast
08 - 8 slices rustic bread (sourdough or country loaf recommended)
09 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (optional for spreading)
# How To Make It:
01 - In a medium saucepan, mix cranberries, sugar, orange juice, orange zest, water, vanilla extract, and salt.
02 - Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
03 - Lower heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently until cranberries burst and the mixture thickens. Mash cranberries with a spoon for a smoother consistency if preferred.
04 - Remove from heat and allow the jam to cool at room temperature; it will thicken further as it cools.
05 - Toast bread slices until golden and crispy using a toaster or grill pan.
06 - Spread unsalted butter on warm toast if desired.
07 - Top the toast generously with cranberry jam and serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, but you're done in under 30 minutes.
- That tart-meets-sweet balance hits different on warm toast, especially with butter that's still slightly melted.
- It's the kind of breakfast that makes ordinary mornings feel intentional.
02 -
- The jam looks thinner than you'd expect while it's hot—this is normal and actually important, so resist the urge to keep cooking it.
- If your jam ends up too thick (and sometimes it does), just stir in a splash of water to loosen it back up.
03 -
- Squeeze your orange juice fresh if you possibly can—bottled juice tastes like it's missing something by comparison.
- If you're making this for people with dietary restrictions, it's naturally vegetarian, and easily made dairy-free or gluten-free with simple swaps.