If you are looking for a bright, festive, and utterly delicious way to elevate your holiday spreads, this Cranberry Holiday Butter will quickly become your go-to favorite. It blends the tartness of fresh cranberries with the rich creaminess of butter, touched by the subtle sweetness of maple syrup and powdered sugar. The result is a velvety, flavorful butter bursting with seasonal charm that’s perfect for spreading on warm breads, muffins, or even dolloping onto pancakes. Whether you’re hosting a holiday brunch or craving a cozy treat, this Cranberry Holiday Butter is a simple yet show-stopping addition everyone will adore.

Cranberry Holiday Butter Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

For a recipe this delightful, the ingredients remain wonderfully simple, yet each one plays an essential role in creating that perfect balance of flavor, texture, and inviting color. This combination makes your Cranberry Holiday Butter shine both in taste and appearance.

Unsalted butter: Using softened unsalted butter provides a creamy base with controlled saltiness, allowing the other flavors to shine through.
Fresh cranberries: Finely chopped fresh cranberries add tart bursts of brightness and a stunning festive red hue.
Powdered sugar: This dissolves instantly to sweeten the butter smoothly without graininess.
Maple syrup: A natural sweetener that introduces a warm, comforting depth to the blend.
Vanilla extract: Vanilla adds a fragrant note that rounds out the flavors beautifully.
Salt: Just a pinch enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness perfectly.

How to Make Cranberry Holiday Butter

Step 1: Finely Chop the Cranberries

Start by finely chopping fresh cranberries. You can do this by hand with a sharp knife or pulse gently in a food processor. Be careful not to purée them because you want pretty bits dispersed throughout the butter for texture and festive color pops.

Step 2: Beat the Butter Until Creamy

Place the softened unsalted butter into a mixing bowl. Using either an electric mixer or a strong whisk, beat the butter until it becomes fluffy and creamy. This step is key to achieving a smooth, spreadable texture in your Cranberry Holiday Butter.

Step 3: Add Flavorful Ingredients

Next, add the finely chopped cranberries, powdered sugar, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt directly to the bowl with your whipped butter. Each ingredient layers complexity and holiday cheer into the mix.

Step 4: Combine and Whip Until Smooth

Begin mixing everything together on low speed to prevent the lightweight cranberries from flying around. Once the ingredients start coming together, increase to medium speed and whip until the mixture is fully blended, smooth, and luscious in texture.

Step 5: Taste and Adjust

Give your Cranberry Holiday Butter a quick taste test! If you prefer it sweeter, feel free to add a touch more powdered sugar or maple syrup until it perfectly suits your taste buds.

Step 6: Chill and Firm Up the Butter

Transfer your finished butter into an airtight container and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes. This resting time helps the flavors meld and allows the butter to firm up, making it easier to spread when served.

Step 7: Ready to Serve

Bring the butter to room temperature before serving so it’s deliciously soft and spreadable. Your Cranberry Holiday Butter is ready to brighten breads, muffins, pancakes, or whatever else inspires you!

How to Serve Cranberry Holiday Butter

Garnishes

Enhance the festive presentation of your Cranberry Holiday Butter by sprinkling a few fresh cranberries or a light dusting of powdered sugar on top. A sprig of rosemary or a few mint leaves can add an extra touch of holiday greenery, turning a simple butter into a stunning centerpiece.

Side Dishes

Cranberry Holiday Butter pairs beautifully with warm breads like fluffy dinner rolls, freshly baked muffins, or toasted croissants. It’s also amazing melting over hot pancakes or waffles, adding a seasonal twist that’s both sweet and tangy.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, try shaping the Cranberry Holiday Butter into small festive shapes using cookie cutters or molding it into a log, rolling it in chopped nuts or dried cranberries. Serve on a decorative platter alongside an assortment of breads and spreads to dazzle your guests and inspire everyone’s holiday appetite.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftover Cranberry Holiday Butter can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Keeping it chilled maintains its texture and flavor, ready to brighten your breakfast or snacks anytime you want a festive flair.

Freezing

You can freeze Cranberry Holiday Butter for longer storage by shaping it into a log, wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, and placing it in the freezer. It will keep well for up to three months. When ready to use, thaw it overnight in the fridge for best results.

Reheating

Since this butter is best served soft and spreadable, simply remove it from the fridge about 20 minutes before you want to serve it. Avoid microwaving, which can melt the butter unevenly and affect texture; gentle warming at room temperature is ideal.

FAQs

Can I use frozen cranberries instead of fresh for Cranberry Holiday Butter?

Fresh cranberries are preferred for their firm texture and bright flavor, but you can use thawed frozen cranberries if needed. Just be sure to drain any excess liquid to avoid making the butter watery.

Is there a dairy-free alternative to butter for this recipe?

Yes! You can substitute with a high-quality dairy-free butter or margarine that is softened. The flavor might vary slightly, but it will still deliver that creamy, festive goodness.

How long does Cranberry Holiday Butter last at room temperature?

It’s best to keep Cranberry Holiday Butter refrigerated until just before serving. At room temperature, it should remain safe for up to two hours, but longer exposure can cause spoilage due to the dairy content.

Can I adjust the sweetness or tartness?

Absolutely! The recipe is very forgiving. Add more powdered sugar or maple syrup for sweetness, or more fresh cranberries for extra tartness, tailoring it exactly to your taste.

What other flavors pair well with Cranberry Holiday Butter?

Warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or a hint of ginger can complement the cranberry beautifully. You can also experiment by adding a splash of orange zest or a few chopped nuts for texture.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about spreading a little homemade joy during the holidays, and this Cranberry Holiday Butter brings that magic effortlessly to your table. Its vibrant color, rich texture, and perfect balance of tart and sweet make it a year-end treat everyone will rave about. Don’t hesitate—whip up a batch and share the festive love with friends and family today!

Cranberry Holiday Butter Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 8 reviews

Author: Sophie
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: Around 1 cup of cranberry butter, approximately 8 servings (2 tablespoons each) 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

This Cranberry Holiday Butter is a festive and flavorful spread made with creamy unsalted butter, fresh chopped cranberries, sweet powdered sugar, rich maple syrup, and a hint of vanilla. Perfect for holiday breakfasts or as a gourmet topping on bread, muffins, or pancakes, it combines tart and sweet elements to bring a seasonal touch to your table.

Ingredients

Scale

Butter Mixture

1 cup unsalted butter, softened (2 sticks)
1/4 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pinch salt

Cranberries

1/2 cup fresh cranberries, finely chopped

Instructions

Chop Cranberries: Finely chop the fresh cranberries using a knife or a food processor, taking care not to purée them to maintain texture.
Beat Butter: Place the softened unsalted butter in a mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer or whisk until creamy and fluffy, ensuring a smooth base.
Add Ingredients: Add the finely chopped cranberries, powdered sugar, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to the whipped butter in the bowl.
Mix Thoroughly: Stir the ingredients together on low speed or by hand until combined, then increase to medium speed and whip until the mixture is fully blended and smooth.
Adjust Sweetness: Taste the butter and, if desired, add more powdered sugar or maple syrup to reach your preferred sweetness level.
Chill: Transfer the cranberry butter into an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow it to firm up and flavors to meld.
Serve: Bring the butter to room temperature before serving. Enjoy it spread on bread, muffins, or as a delightful topping for pancakes during your holiday celebrations.

Notes

Use fresh cranberries for the best texture; frozen cranberries can be used but should be thawed and drained first.
Adjust the sugar amount to suit your taste preference, especially if you like it sweeter or more tart.
Let the butter soften slightly at room temperature before serving for easier spreading.
This butter can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator; just bring it to room temperature before serving.
For a different flavor twist, consider adding a pinch of cinnamon or orange zest.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Spread
Method: Mixing and Whipping
Cuisine: American