Homemade Cranberry Butter – The Sweet & Tangy Spread You’ll Love

 

Homemade Cranberry Butter – The Sweet & Tangy Spread You’ll Love

The holidays are all about comfort, flavor, and sharing food that makes people smile. One of my favorite little traditions is making homemade spreads—and this cranberry butter recipe is always a hit.

It’s not your typical butter. Instead, it’s a creamy, festive blend of rich butter, sweet dried cranberries, a drizzle of honey, and the brightness of fresh orange zest. The result? A spread that’s equal parts sweet, tangy, and indulgent—perfect for the holiday season.

What I love most is how quick and versatile it is. You don’t need to cook, bake, or even turn on the stove. Just mix everything together and chill. It takes only a few minutes, yet it feels like something straight out of a gourmet bakery.

Even better, cranberry butter isn’t just for spreading on toast (though it’s amazing on warm sourdough bread). You can serve it with muffins, pancakes, or waffles at brunch. It also makes a thoughtful homemade food gift—just spoon it into a jar, tie a ribbon around it, and you’ve got a holiday treat anyone would love.

So if you’re looking for a holiday recipe that’s festive, delicious, and almost too easy to make, this cranberry butter is the answer. Let’s dive in!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Festive flavor: A balance of sweet, tangy, and creamy.

• Easy to make: Only a few ingredients and no cooking required.

• Versatile spread: Delicious on bread, pancakes, waffles, and more.

• Perfect for gifting: A jar of cranberry butter makes a thoughtful holiday gift.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

• ½ cup dried cranberries, finely chopped

• 2–3 tablespoons honey (or maple syrup)

• 1 tablespoon orange zest (freshly grated)

• Pinch of salt

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Soften the Butter

Leave the butter at room temperature until soft but not melted. This will make mixing much easier.

Step 2: Chop the Cranberries

Finely chop the dried cranberries so they blend evenly into the butter.

Step 3: Mix the Ingredients

In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, cranberries, honey, orange zest, and salt. Mix well until fully incorporated.

Step 4: Chill Until Firm

Transfer the mixture to a jar or small container. Refrigerate for 1–2 hours until firm.

Step 5: Serve & Enjoy

Spread on toast, bagels, pancakes, muffins, or holiday bread. Store in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.

Expert Tips

• For extra tang: Add a splash of fresh orange juice.

• For texture: Leave some cranberries slightly chunky.

• For gifting: Spoon cranberry butter into small jars, tie with ribbon, and gift during the holidays.

Serving Suggestions

Cranberry butter pairs beautifully with:

• Freshly baked bread or rolls

• Warm muffins or scones

• Holiday pancakes or waffles

• As a topping for roasted sweet potatoes