Name: Christmas Cranberry Honey Butter Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter (softened); 1/2 cup cranberry sauce (homemade or store-bought); 1/4 cup honey; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; Pinch of salt

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Introduction

Christmas Cranberry Honey Butter is a festive and flavorful spread that brings a perfect balance of sweet and tangy to your holiday table. It’s easy to make and adds a special touch to warm biscuits, toast, or pancakes.

A close-up image shows a woman's hand holding a small piece of light-colored bread with a soft texture. The bread is thinly sliced and topped with a creamy spread mixed with red bits that look like dried fruit or berries. The creamy spread has a pale yellow color and a smooth texture with small red pieces evenly scattered throughout. Another woman's hand is using a silver knife to spread the mixture on the bread. The background features a white marbled surface with blurred slices of bread and similar spreads in the back. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1/2 cup cranberry sauce (homemade or store-bought)
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

Instructions

Step 1: Soften the butter by leaving it at room temperature. If you’re short on time, microwave it for about 10 seconds, being careful not to melt it.
Step 2: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the softened butter, cranberry sauce, honey, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Blend with a hand mixer or whisk until smooth and creamy.
Step 3: Taste the mixture and adjust sweetness or tanginess by adding more honey or cranberry sauce to your liking.
Step 4: Transfer the butter to a decorative dish or airtight container. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
Step 5: Serve chilled on warm biscuits, toast, or pancakes for a delightful holiday treat.

Tips & Variations

Use fresh cranberry sauce for a brighter flavor or add a pinch of cinnamon for a warm, spicy twist.
Swap honey for maple syrup for a different sweetness profile.
Allow the butter to soften slightly before spreading for easier application.

Storage

Store the cranberry honey butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Before serving, let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to soften. It can also be frozen for up to three months; thaw in the fridge overnight before use.

How to Serve

A white bowl filled with creamy butter mixed with small pieces of red dried cranberries and tiny orange zest bits, giving it a textured and colorful look. The butter is loosely swirled on top, showing soft waves and folds. Around the bowl, some dried cranberries and orange zest sprinkles are spread on a white marbled surface. In the background, slices of light beige bread are slightly blurred, adding depth to the image. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen cranberry sauce in this recipe?

Yes, thaw frozen cranberry sauce completely before mixing to ensure the butter blends smoothly.

Is it necessary to refrigerate the butter before serving?

Refrigerating helps the flavors meld and firms up the butter, but you can serve it right away if you prefer a softer spread. Just keep it chilled if not serving immediately.