Description
Creamy whipped cranberry butter elevates holiday spreads with festive flair. Tangy berries blend seamlessly into smooth butter, creating a delightful condiment perfect for warming bread and delighting guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup (226 grams / 2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup (75 grams) fresh or frozen cranberries
Sweeteners:
- 2–3 tablespoons (30–45 ml) honey (or maple syrup)
Flavor Enhancers:
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) orange zest (optional, for added brightness)
- 1 pinch of salt
Instructions
- Gently simmer cranberries in a small saucepan with minimal water, coaxing them to burst and soften over medium heat. This process typically takes about 5 minutes, requiring occasional stirring to prevent sticking.
- Crush the softened cranberries thoroughly using a fork or blender, creating a smooth or slightly textured compote. Allow the cranberry mixture to cool completely to room temperature.
- Using an electric mixer, whip softened butter until it transforms into a light, voluminous texture. The butter should appear pale and fluffy after 2-3 minutes of continuous beating.
- Introduce the cooled cranberry reduction into the whipped butter, along with honey, orange zest, and a delicate pinch of salt. Blend thoroughly to ensure uniform distribution and maintain the butter’s airy consistency.
- Carefully transfer the vibrant crimson-hued butter into a decorative serving dish or sealed container. Refrigerate if not serving immediately, remembering to let the butter rest at room temperature briefly before presenting to enhance its spreadable nature.
Notes
- Perfectly soften butter at room temperature for 30-45 minutes to ensure smooth, creamy whipping without melting.
- Choose fresh, plump cranberries for the most vibrant color and intense tart-sweet flavor profile in the butter.
- Adjust honey or maple syrup quantity based on desired sweetness and balance with cranberries’ natural tartness.
- For a smoother texture, use a food processor instead of mashing cranberries by hand, which creates a more uniform consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 124
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 1 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg