There is something truly magical about the holidays, and nothing captures that spirit better than the tangy-sweet goodness of the Cranberry Holiday Butter Recipe. This delightful spread is a vibrant twist on your classic butter, infused with bright cranberry sauce, warm cinnamon, and a hint of orange juice that awakens your senses. Whether you’re slathering it on warm rolls, mixing it into oatmeal, or serving it alongside roasted turkey, this cranberry butter brings a festive burst of flavor that feels like a cozy hug for your taste buds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are wonderfully simple yet essential to achieving that perfect balance of creamy, sweet, and tangy in your cranberry butter. Each element plays an important role: the butter provides rich creaminess, cranberry sauce contributes tartness and texture, and the cinnamon and orange juice round out the seasonal warmth.
- Butter (3 sticks, softened): The base of your butter, softened for easy mixing and smooth texture.
- Whole cranberry sauce (1 cup): Adds a lovely tart sweetness and beautiful red flecks throughout.
- Juice of 1/2 medium orange: Offers a fresh citrus brightness that lifts the flavors.
- Honey (2 tablespoons): A natural sweetener that balances the tart cranberry without overpowering it.
- Ground cinnamon (3–4 teaspoons): Warms up the mix with a classic holiday spice kick.
- Confectioner’s sugar (1/4 cup): Helps to sweeten and slightly thicken the butter for a luscious finish.
How to Make Cranberry Holiday Butter Recipe
Step 1: Soften the Butter
Start by ensuring your butter is nicely softened to room temperature. This step is key for getting a smooth, even blend later on. If the butter is too firm, your cranberry holiday butter will end up lumpy rather than creamy, so take your time here.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened butter with the whole cranberry sauce, orange juice, and honey. Use a hand mixer or sturdy spoon to thoroughly blend these together. You want the cranberry sauce to be well incorporated but still retain some of its texture so the flavor bursts through.
Step 3: Add the Spices and Sugar
Sprinkle in the ground cinnamon and confectioner’s sugar. These two add that unmistakable warmth and a subtle sweetness that rounds out the tangy cranberries beautifully. Mix everything again until smooth and visually appealing with swirls of red.
Step 4: Chill Before Serving
Cover your cranberry holiday butter with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container, then chill it in the refrigerator for at least one hour. This lets all the flavors marry and the butter firm up for easier spreading. Patience here rewards you with fuller flavor and perfect consistency.
How to Serve Cranberry Holiday Butter Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh orange zest or a few whole cranberries on top can add a festive visual pop just before serving. These garnishes invite guests to enjoy the season with every bite.
Side Dishes
This buttery delight pairs wonderfully with warm dinner rolls, crusty bread, or buttery biscuits. It also shines when served alongside roasted turkey or ham — adding a sweet-tart contrast that enhances holiday plates.
Creative Ways to Present
For a charming touch, consider shaping the cranberry holiday butter into a festive log or individual mini butter balls rolled in crushed nuts or cinnamon sugar. Serving it on a wooden cheese board with a knife makes it feel like a special treat everyone will want to try.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover cranberry holiday butter in an airtight container and keep it refrigerated. It stays fresh for up to one week, making it easy to enjoy throughout the holiday season or beyond.
Freezing
This butter freezes beautifully if you want to make it in advance. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, or place it in a freezer-safe bag. It keeps well for up to three months, so you’ll always have a festive spread ready to go.
Reheating
When ready to use, thaw frozen cranberry holiday butter slowly in the refrigerator overnight. Then bring it to room temperature to soften slightly before spreading. This helps preserve the lovely texture and flavor balance.
FAQs
Can I use canned cranberry sauce for this recipe?
Absolutely! The recipe calls for whole cranberry sauce, which you can find in cans at the store. It’s perfect because it already has the sweet-tart flavor and soft texture ideal for blending.
Is this butter very sweet?
It has a lovely balance of sweet and tart. The honey and confectioner’s sugar add sweetness, but the cranberry sauce provides a refreshing tang that keeps it from being too sugary.
Can I substitute orange juice with lemon juice?
You can, but orange juice lends a sweeter, milder citrus note that suits this recipe best. Lemon juice will add more acidity and sharper flavor, which might overpower the other seasonings.
How long does the cranberry holiday butter take to make?
The prep time is just about 10 minutes, but remember to chill it for an hour before serving for optimal flavor and spreadability.
What are some alternative spices I could try?
If you want to explore beyond cinnamon, nutmeg or allspice can add lovely warm notes too. Just add a pinch and adjust to taste to keep that cozy holiday vibe.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to bring a fresh and festive twist to your holiday spread, the Cranberry Holiday Butter Recipe is a must-try. It’s quick, easy, and bursting with all the flavors that make winter celebrations so special. Spread the joy by making a batch and watching it become an instant family favorite at your next gathering!
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Cranberry Holiday Butter Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
- Category: Spread
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Cranberry Holiday Butter is a festive and flavorful spread perfect for the holiday season. Combining creamy butter with tangy cranberry sauce, a hint of fresh orange juice, sweet honey, and warm cinnamon, this butter is ideal for spreading on warm bread, muffins, or pancakes. With a smooth texture and a delightful blend of tart, sweet, and spiced notes, it brings a cheerful twist to your breakfast or appetizer table.
Ingredients
Butter Base
- 3 sticks unsalted butter, softened (about 1 1/2 cups)
Flavorings
- 1 cup whole cranberry sauce
- Juice of 1/2 medium orange (about 1 1/2 tablespoons)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3 to 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup confectioner’s sugar
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature to make mixing easier. Measure out the cranberry sauce, orange juice, honey, cinnamon, and confectioner’s sugar.
- Mix Butter and Cranberry Sauce: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and whole cranberry sauce. Use a hand mixer or sturdy spoon to blend them thoroughly until smooth and uniform in color and texture.
- Add Flavorings: Stir in the freshly squeezed juice of half an orange, honey, ground cinnamon (start with 3 teaspoons and adjust to taste), and confectioner’s sugar. Mix well to incorporate all flavors evenly.
- Adjust Consistency and Flavor: Taste the butter mixture and adjust the cinnamon or honey if desired for more warmth or sweetness. The confectioner’s sugar helps to mellow tartness and gives it a smooth texture.
- Chill and Serve: Transfer the cranberry holiday butter into a serving dish or mold it into a log shape using plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up and allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature on breads, muffins, or as a flavorful addition to holiday spreads.
Notes
- Use unsalted butter to control the saltiness of the spread.
- The cranberry sauce can be homemade or store-bought; whole berry style provides a nice texture.
- Adjust honey quantity for desired sweetness depending on cranberry sauce tartness.
- For a vegan alternative, substitute butter with a vegan butter spread.
- Store leftover butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- This butter can also be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw before serving.
