Elevate your holiday table with this incredibly easy and delicious Cranberry Honey Butter. This simple recipe transforms four basic ingredients into a sweet, tangy, and luxuriously creamy spread that is perfect for slathering on everything. Whether you’re upgrading your morning toast or adding a special touch to your holiday rolls, this vibrant butter is guaranteed to be a new family favorite. Get ready to discover the ultimate condiment for all your seasonal gatherings.
This whipped compound butter isn’t just for special occasions; it’s a simple luxury you can enjoy any day. It’s the perfect way to use up leftover cranberry sauce or to add a festive touch to simple baked goods. Plus, it comes together in just about 15 minutes!
Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Honey Butter Recipe
- Incredibly Flavorful: The tartness of fresh cranberries is perfectly balanced by the natural sweetness of honey, creating a complex and delightful flavor profile.
- Beautifully Festive: Its gorgeous, rosy hue adds a stunning pop of color to any bread basket or holiday table.
- Quick & Easy: With minimal prep and a quick cooking time, you can whip up this impressive spread in under 20 minutes.
- Versatile Spread: Don’t just stop at dinner rolls! It’s delicious on muffins, scones, pancakes, and even melted over a roasted Cornish hen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This homemade Cranberry Honey Butter uses simple, wholesome ingredients to create its signature flavor.
- Salted Butter: Using high-quality salted butter provides a rich flavor base. Be sure it’s softened to room temperature for easy whipping.
- Fresh Cranberries: Fresh cranberries provide the best tart flavor and vibrant color. You can also use frozen cranberries; just thaw them first.
- Honey: Acts as the primary sweetener and adds a lovely floral note that complements the cranberries.
- Orange Zest: This is optional, but a little zest adds a bright, citrusy aroma and cuts through the richness of the butter.
Essential Equipment
Making this recipe is straightforward and doesn’t require any fancy gadgets. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Small Saucepan: For cooking down the cranberries into a quick jam.
- Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: Essential for whipping the butter and cranberry mixture into a light, airy consistency.
- Spatula: For scraping down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is evenly incorporated.
How to Make Cranberry Honey Butter Step-by-Step
Follow these simple steps to create the creamiest, most flavorful holiday butter.
Step 1: Create the Cranberry Reduction
In your small saucepan, combine the fresh cranberries and honey. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens into a jam-like consistency. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool completely.
Step 2: Whip the Butter
While the cranberry mixture cools, place your softened salted butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or use a hand mixer). Beat the butter on medium-high speed for about 5 minutes, or until it is pale, light, and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Step 3: Combine and Finish
Once the cranberry reduction has cooled to room temperature, add it to the whipped butter. Beat on low speed to combine, then increase to medium-high and whip for another 2-3 minutes until the butter is uniformly pink and airy. If using, fold in the orange zest.
Tips for the Best Results
- Ensure Butter is Softened: For the lightest, fluffiest texture, your butter must be at room temperature. Cold butter won’t whip properly.
- Cool the Cranberries Completely: Do not add warm cranberry sauce to your butter! If you do, the butter will melt, and you will end up with a greasy, separated mess instead of a creamy whip.
- Don’t Rush the Whipping: Whipping the butter for a full 5 minutes before adding the cranberries is the key to achieving that coveted airy texture.
Delicious Serving Suggestions
This Cranberry Honey Butter is incredibly versatile. Here are a few of our favorite ways to serve it:
- Spread generously on warm, flaky biscuits or a slice of fluffy honey cornbread.
- Serve alongside a basket of warm popovers for a truly impressive side. Try it with our favorite popover recipe.
- Slather it on morning toast, English muffins, or warm scones.
- Melt it over a stack of pancakes or waffles for a festive breakfast.
- Use it as a finishing butter for roasted poultry or pork.
Flavor Variations to Try
While this recipe is perfect as is, you can easily customize it to your liking.
- Spiced Cranberry Butter: Add a pinch of cinnamon and a dash of ground ginger to the cranberries as they cook for a warmer, spiced flavor.
- Maple Cranberry Butter: Swap the honey for pure maple syrup for a different kind of sweetness that pairs wonderfully with savory dishes.
- Nutty Honey Butter: Fold in a ¼ cup of finely chopped toasted pecans or walnuts at the end for a delightful crunch.
How to Store Cranberry Honey Butter
Proper storage is key to keeping your butter fresh and delicious.
- Refrigerator: Store the butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. The butter will firm up when chilled, so let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to soften before serving.
- Freezer: For longer storage, you can freeze it! Roll the butter into a log using plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe bag. It will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using.
Yes! If using frozen cranberries, thaw them before cooking. If you want to use dried cranberries, you’ll need to rehydrate them first. Simmer 1/2 cup of dried cranberries with 1/4 cup of water and the honey until they are plump and the liquid has reduced.
Absolutely. For best results, roll the finished butter into a log in plastic wrap, twist the ends tight, and then place it in a freezer-safe bag. It will keep well for up to 3 months.
You can store this butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. For longer storage, it can be frozen for up to three months.
It’s delicious on warm dinner rolls, cornbread, biscuits, scones, and toast. You can also melt it over pancakes, waffles, or even as a finishing butter for roasted chicken or turkey.
This happens when the cranberry mixture is still warm when added to the butter, causing the butter to melt instead of whip. It is critical to let the cranberry reduction cool completely to room temperature before combining it with the whipped butter.
Yes! If using frozen cranberries, thaw them before cooking. If you want to use dried cranberries, you’ll need to rehydrate them first. Simmer 1/2 cup of dried cranberries with 1/4 cup of water and the honey until they are plump and the liquid has reduced.
Absolutely. For best results, roll the finished butter into a log in plastic wrap, twist the ends tight, and then place it in a freezer-safe bag. It will keep well for up to 3 months.
You can store this butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. For longer storage, it can be frozen for up to three months.
It’s delicious on warm dinner rolls, cornbread, biscuits, scones, and toast. You can also melt it over pancakes, waffles, or even as a finishing butter for roasted chicken or turkey.
This happens when the cranberry mixture is still warm when added to the butter, causing the butter to melt instead of whip. It is critical to let the cranberry reduction cool completely to room temperature before combining it with the whipped butter.
Share Your Creations!
We know you’ll fall in love with this festive Cranberry Honey Butter. It’s the perfect finishing touch for any meal, from a simple breakfast to a grand holiday feast. If you make this recipe, be sure to share your creations and tag us! We love seeing how you make our recipes your own. For more delicious ideas, follow us on Pinterest!
Cranberry Honey Butter: The Ultimate Holiday Spread
Discover how to make the best Cranberry Honey Butter with this easy recipe. This sweet, tangy, and creamy whipped butter is the perfect festive spread for holiday rolls, toast, muffins, and more. Ready in just 15 minutes!
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine the fresh cranberries and honey. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool completely.
- While the cranberry mixture cools, place the softened salted butter in the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment. Beat on medium-high speed for 5 minutes until pale, light, and fluffy.
- Add the completely cooled cranberry reduction to the whipped butter. Mix on low to combine, then increase to medium-high and whip for another 2-3 minutes until uniform and airy. Fold in the orange zest, if using. Serve immediately or store.
Notes
Butter Temperature is Key: Ensure your butter is truly at room temperature for the best whipped texture.
Cool Cranberries Completely: Adding warm cranberry mix will melt the butter. Patience is essential!
Cranberry Honey Butter: The Ultimate Holiday Spread
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine the fresh cranberries and honey. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool completely.
- While the cranberry mixture cools, place the softened salted butter in the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment. Beat on medium-high speed for 5 minutes until pale, light, and fluffy.
- Add the completely cooled cranberry reduction to the whipped butter. Mix on low to combine, then increase to medium-high and whip for another 2-3 minutes until uniform and airy. Fold in the orange zest, if using. Serve immediately or store.
Notes
Cool Cranberries Completely: Adding warm cranberry mix will melt the butter. Patience is essential!
