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
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons (about 28g)
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 0.1g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: cranberry butter, holiday spread, festive butter, flavored butter, maple cranberry butter, Thanksgiving butter, Christmas breakfast
