Festive Whipped Cranberry Butter Recipe

Jolly Whipped Cranberry Butter Recipe: Holiday Joy in a Spread

Spreading pure holiday magic across your festive table, this whipped cranberry butter bursts with seasonal charm and delightful flavor.

Silky smooth textures blend effortlessly with tart cranberry essence, creating a spreadable wonder that elevates every bite.

Fresh cranberries dance through creamy butter, turning an ordinary condiment into something extraordinary.

Simple ingredients come together in mere minutes to craft this stunning accompaniment.

You’ll love how easily this recipe transforms basic butter into a showstopping spread.

The vibrant crimson hue promises to dazzle guests and add a pop of color to your holiday bread basket.

Serve this cranberry-infused butter and watch faces light up with pure culinary joy.

Ways to Serve Whipped Cranberry Butter for Any Meal

  • Festive Bread Companion: Spread this vibrant cranberry butter on warm, freshly baked rolls, cornbread, or holiday biscuits for a burst of tangy sweetness.
  • Breakfast Bliss Booster: Elevate morning toast, bagels, or English muffins with a generous schmear of this ruby-red butter for a delightful start to your day.
  • Elegant Appetizer Accent: Create a stunning charcuterie board by serving the whipped cranberry butter alongside crackers, artisan breads, or as a unique condiment for cheese platters.
  • Holiday Table Star: Impress guests by presenting this colorful, festive butter in a decorative dish during Thanksgiving, Christmas, or winter gatherings, adding a gourmet touch to your spread.

Store Whipped Cranberry Butter in the Fridge or Freezer

  • Store whipped cranberry butter in an airtight container for up to 7 days, ensuring maximum freshness and taste preservation.
  • Remove butter from refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving to achieve smooth, spreadable consistency that enhances its creamy texture.
  • Divide butter into smaller containers or wrap tightly in plastic wrap, making it easy to enjoy multiple servings without compromising quality.
  • Seal butter in freezer-safe container or wrap tightly in plastic, storing up to 3 months for future enjoyment – perfect for meal prep enthusiasts who love having gourmet spreads ready anytime.

FAQs

  • Can I use frozen cranberries for this recipe?

Yes, frozen cranberries work perfectly. Just thaw them before cooking and follow the same process for softening and mashing.

  • How long can I keep whipped cranberry butter in the refrigerator?

The whipped cranberry butter will stay fresh for up to 7-10 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

  • Do I need a stand mixer to make this recipe?

No, a hand mixer works just as well. You can even whip the butter by hand with a whisk, though it will require more effort and time to achieve the fluffy texture.

  • Is there a way to make this recipe less sweet?

Yes, you can reduce the amount of honey or maple syrup, or omit it entirely. The cranberries will still provide a natural sweetness to the butter.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 103 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients for Whipped Cranberry Butter

For Base Ingredients:
  • Cranberries: Vibrant berries that provide tangy flavor and gorgeous ruby-red color, choose plump and firm berries without soft spots.
  • Butter: Creamy foundation of the spread, select high-quality unsalted butter at room temperature for smooth whipping.
For Sweetening and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Honey: Natural sweetener that adds gentle floral notes, opt for local raw honey for deeper taste complexity.
  • Maple Syrup: Alternative sweetener with rich caramel undertones, choose pure maple syrup for authentic flavor.
For Aromatic Boosters:
  • Orange Zest: Bright citrus element that elevates overall flavor profile, use fresh orange and grate only colored part of peel.
  • Salt: Tiny pinch balances sweetness and intensifies other flavors, select fine sea salt for even distribution.
For Liquid Element:
  • Water: Helps soften cranberries during cooking, use filtered water for pure taste.

Tools to Whip Up Cranberry Butter the Right Way

  • Saucepan: Small pan for cooking and softening cranberries over heat.
  • Fork: Used for mashing cranberries to desired consistency.
  • Mixing Bowl: Large bowl for whipping butter and combining ingredients.
  • Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer: Essential for beating butter until light and fluffy.
  • Measuring Tablespoons: For accurate water and honey measurements.
  • Zester or Grater: To create fine orange zest.
  • Serving Dish or Airtight Container: For storing and presenting the whipped butter.
  • Spatula: Helpful for scraping and mixing ingredients thoroughly.

How to Mix and Chill Whipped Cranberry Butter Easily

  • Unleash Cranberry

Toss cranberries into a saucepan with a splash of water. Cook over medium heat until berries pop and transform, stirring occasionally. Crush the berries into a vibrant pulp and let them cool down completely.

  • Whip Butter Into Clouds

Grab your mixer and beat softened butter until it becomes a fluffy dream, creating airy peaks that look like delicate clouds.

  • Create Flavor Fusion

Fold the cooled cranberry mixture into the whipped butter. Drizzle in honey, sprinkle orange zest, and add a whisper of salt. Blend everything until the butter becomes a gorgeous swirl of crimson and cream.

  • Preserve Your Culinary Masterpiece

Scoop the cranberry butter into a beautiful dish or container. Keep it chilled until you’re ready to wow your guests. Before serving, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften and release its full flavor potential.

Flavors That Pair Well With Cranberry Butter

  • Ensure butter is at room temperature for easy whipping and smooth blending.
  • Use a food processor for ultra-smooth cranberry puree if you prefer no fruit chunks.
  • Whipped butter keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, making it perfect for advance preparation.
  • Experiment with different sweeteners like agave or brown sugar instead of honey for unique taste profiles.
  • For vegan friends, swap dairy butter with plant-based alternatives like coconut or almond butter to create a similar creamy spread.
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Festive Whipped Cranberry Butter Recipe

Festive Whipped Cranberry Butter Recipe


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4.8 from 29 reviews

  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Whipped cranberry butter elevates holiday tables with its festive red hue and tangy sweetness. Creamy spread combines fresh cranberries, butter, and maple syrup for an irresistible condiment you’ll want to slather on everything from warm rolls to morning toast.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (226 grams / 2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup (75 grams) fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 23 tbsps (3045 ml) honey (or maple syrup)
  • ½ tsp (2.5 ml) orange zest (optional, for added brightness)
  • 1 pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Cranberry Preparation: Gently coax cranberries to burst and soften in a saucepan with minimal water over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Continue until berries transform into a luscious compote, approximately 5 minutes.
  2. Cooling and Texture: Allow cranberry mixture to cool completely, then pulverize into a smooth or slightly textured reduction using a fork or blender, ensuring even consistency.
  3. Butter Transformation: Whip softened butter with an electric mixer until it becomes ethereally light and voluminously pale, creating a cloud-like texture through 2-3 minutes of continuous beating.
  4. Flavor Infusion: Fold cooled cranberry reduction into the whipped butter, incorporating honey, orange zest, and a nuanced salt pinch. Blend meticulously to maintain the butter’s airy structure while achieving uniform flavor distribution.
  5. Presentation and Storage: Transfer the vibrant crimson-hued butter into an elegant serving vessel or sealed container. When ready to serve, allow butter to rest momentarily at room temperature to optimize spreadability, then present with flourish.

Notes

  • Prevent Burning: Stir cranberries constantly during simmering to avoid scorching and ensure even cooking, using low-medium heat for gentle softening.
  • Achieve Perfect Texture: Cool cranberry mixture completely before mixing with butter to prevent melting and maintain the whipped butter’s light, airy consistency.
  • Flavor Balancing: Adjust honey and salt proportions carefully to complement the tartness of cranberries without overpowering the delicate butter base.
  • Storage Hack: Wrap whipped butter in parchment paper or plastic wrap, creating a log shape for easy slicing and serving, with refrigeration extending shelf life up to one week.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 103
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 16 mg
  • Fat: 11 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 3 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 0 g
  • Cholesterol: 31 mg
John Nicholson

John Nicholson

Lead Writer & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Recipe Testing and Development, Kitchen Hacks and Time-Saving Tips, Flavor Pairing and Ingredient Selection, Engaging Food Writing and Storytelling

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Program: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: A hands-on curriculum emphasizing farm-to-table cooking, local ingredient sourcing, and creative menu development. Students gained real-world restaurant experience, learning both classic techniques and modern approaches to sustainable cooking.

John Nicholson honed his skills at Johnson & Wales University, learning how to use fresh, local ingredients and down-to-earth techniques to make cooking simple and satisfying.

His recipes blend Southern comfort flavors with a modern touch, inviting everyone to cook with ease and confidence.

Living in Charleston, John takes cues from the city’s lively food scene, local markets, and seasonal produce. He’s all about making meals stress-free through easy tips, flavor pairings, and fun experiments in the kitchen

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