Cozy Pioneer Woman Cranberry Butter Recipe

Cranberry butter transforms ordinary spreadable goodness into a festive culinary delight that sparkles with seasonal charm.

Bright crimson fruits infuse rich, creamy textures with unexpected tang and vibrant complexity.

Homemade condiments like this elevate simple toast or morning pastries from mundane to magnificent.

Small batches packed with zesty notes bring warmth to kitchen counters and breakfast tables everywhere.

Delicate sweetness balanced with subtle citrus undertones creates a sophisticated condiment that feels both elegant and approachable.

Crafting this smooth, spreadable mixture requires minimal effort but promises maximum sensory pleasure.

What Makes Cranberry Butter a Holiday Essential

• Burst with Festive Flavor: This cranberry butter delivers a vibrant, tangy-sweet explosion that captures the essence of holiday cheer in every creamy bite.
• Transform Simple Spreads: Elevate ordinary toast, muffins, or bagels from basic to extraordinary with this gourmet-style compound butter that adds instant sophistication to breakfast or brunch.
• Quick Culinary Magic: Whip up this impressive condiment in under 45 minutes, making it a perfect last-minute holiday gift or elegant entertaining addition that looks like you spent hours in the kitchen.
• Versatile Seasonal Delight: Seamlessly transition between sweet and savory applications, from spreading on warm bread to melting over roasted turkey or stirring into holiday baked goods for an unexpected burst of fruity brightness.

Simple Ingredients Behind Tangy Cranberry Butter

• Dried Cranberries: Sweet-tart berries that provide vibrant flavor and texture to the butter. Choose plump, moist cranberries for best results.
• Orange Juice: Helps rehydrate cranberries and adds a subtle citrus brightness to the mixture.

• Butter, Confectioners' Sugar: Creamy base that creates smooth, spreadable consistency with delicate sweetness. Room-temperature butter ensures easy mixing and even incorporation.

• Heavy Plastic Wrap: Useful for shaping butter into a neat log for convenient storage and serving. Provides clean, professional presentation.

How to Whip Up Cranberry Butter in Minutes

Step 1: Gather Your Cranberry Companions

• Dried cranberries
• Orange juice

In a small saucepan, combine dried cranberries and orange juice. Warm over medium heat until it starts to simmer, then remove from heat. Let the cranberries soak and plump up for 30 minutes.

Step 2: Drain and Delicately Chop Cranberries

Strain the cranberries using a sieve, gently pressing to remove extra liquid. Finely chop the softened cranberries into tiny pieces.

Step 3: Create the Butter Blend

• Unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• Confectioners' sugar

In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped cranberries, soft butter, and confectioners’ sugar.

Step 4: Whip and Blend

Use a wooden spoon or electric mixer to blend all ingredients until smooth and fully incorporated. Mix for 2-3 minutes until the texture is creamy and consistent.

Step 5: Shape and Chill Your Spread

Pack the cranberry butter into small ramekins or shape into a neat log by rolling in heavy plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours until firm. Before serving, let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes to soften slightly.

Tips for Smooth, Flavorful Cranberry Butter

• Preserve Perfectly: Wrap the cranberry butter roll tightly in plastic wrap to maintain freshness and prevent absorbing other refrigerator odors.
• Customize Sweetness: Sample the butter while mixing and adjust sugar levels to match your preferred taste profile.
• Blend for Smoothness: Use a blender to transform soaked cranberries into a silky-smooth texture if you prefer less chunky butter.
• Maximize Cranberry Flavor: Soak dried cranberries in orange juice until they plump up and become tender, enhancing their taste and integration with butter.
• Select Premium Ingredients: Opt for high-quality, fresh butter as the foundation for creating a delectable cranberry spread that elevates any bread or toast.

Best Ways to Store Homemade Cranberry Butter

• Vacuum Seal: Lock in freshness by using a vacuum sealer to remove all air from the storage container. This method prevents freezer burn and preserves the vibrant cranberry flavor for up to 4 months, maintaining the butter's original texture and taste.
• Mason Jar Storage: Transfer the cranberry butter into clean, sterilized mason jars with tight-fitting lids. Refrigerate immediately, which helps maintain the butter's consistency and prevents bacterial growth while keeping it fresh for 3 weeks.
• Portion and Freeze: Divide the butter into small silicone molds or ice cube trays before freezing. Pop out individual portions when needed, allowing you to thaw only what you'll use without compromising the entire batch's quality.

Flavor Variations for Your Cranberry Spread

• Citrus Zinger: Add lemon or lime zest to the cranberry butter for a bright, tangy kick that elevates the spread's flavor profile.
• Spiced Autumn Blend: Incorporate a pinch of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice to create a warm, seasonal variation that complements the cranberry's natural sweetness.
• Nutty Crunch: Fold in finely chopped toasted pecans or almonds to add texture and a rich, earthy dimension to the creamy butter.
• Maple Infusion: Swap confectioners' sugar with pure maple syrup for a deeper, more complex sweetness that pairs beautifully with the tart cranberries.

A Bright Finish for Your Cranberry Butter Jar

Pioneer Woman’s Cranberry Butter emerges as winter’s most delightful culinary companion, blending sweet and tangy notes into a spreadable dream.

Crimson-flecked butter whispers holiday memories with each creamy bite.

Small batches of this magical condiment promise instant kitchen joy.

Homemade spreads like these connect generations through simple, heartwarming ingredients.

Breakfast tables and morning toast will never feel mundane again with this luxurious cranberry creation.

Cast your culinary spell: snap a pic, share this recipe’s magic across social platforms, and watch fellow kitchen adventurers swoon over your delectable discovery.

Pioneer Woman Cranberry Butter Recipe

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4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Cranberry butter brings festive cheer with its rich, tangy flavor profile. Silky smooth and perfect for holiday spreads, this simple recipe elevates your breakfast or dessert with Wisconsin cranberries and creamy goodness.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature (226 grams)
• 5 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar (37.5 grams)

Fruit Ingredients:

• ½ cup dried cranberries (75 grams)

Liquid Ingredients:

• 1 cup orange juice (240 milliliters)

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Instructions

1. Hydrate dried cranberries by placing them in a small saucepan with orange juice, gently heating until the liquid starts to shimmer, then remove from heat and allow the fruits to plump and absorb liquid for approximately 30 minutes.
2. Transfer softened cranberries into a fine-mesh strainer, pressing gently to eliminate excess moisture, then meticulously mince the rehydrated fruits into uniform, tiny pieces.
3. Select a spacious mixing vessel and combine the finely diced cranberries with room-temperature unsalted butter (8 tablespoons or 113 grams) and powdered sugar, ensuring all ingredients are at consistent ambient temperature.
4. Utilize either a robust wooden utensil or an electric mixing apparatus to thoroughly amalgamate the ingredients, creating a smooth, homogeneous spread with no visible ingredient separation.
5. Transfer the crimson-flecked butter mixture into decorative ceramic ramekins or craft an elegant cylindrical log by carefully enveloping it in heavyweight culinary plastic wrap, twisting the ends securely.
6. Refrigerate the prepared cranberry butter for a minimum of 2 hours (120 minutes) to allow complete solidification and flavor melding, then extract from cold storage approximately 15 minutes prior to serving to soften slightly and enhance spreadability.

Notes

• Resting the butter at room temperature helps mix ingredients easily and creates a smooth, spreadable texture.
• Orange juice acts like a magical liquid that plumps cranberries and adds natural sweetness without extra sugar.
• Blending cranberries creates a silky consistency perfect for spreading on toast, bagels, or holiday breads.
• Tasting while mixing allows you to adjust sweetness levels to match your personal flavor preferences.
• Wrapping butter rolls in plastic wrap prevents moisture loss and protects from absorbing other refrigerator odors.

• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 246
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 0 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 19 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 62 mg