Maple Cranberry Butter

Looking for a way to add a touch of elegance and sweetness to your meals? Maple Cranberry Butter is the perfect addition to elevate your breakfast, brunch, or holiday meals. This butter is a delightful blend of sweet maple syrup and tangy cranberries, creating a harmonious balance of flavors that will make your toast, pancakes, muffins, or roasted meats sing with goodness. It’s easy to make and takes only a few minutes to prepare, yet it offers a gourmet twist that everyone will love. Whether you’re spreading it on your morning toast or adding it as a finishing touch to roasted turkey, Maple Cranberry Butter is a delicious and festive treat that’s bound to impress.

Why You’ll Love Maple Cranberry Butter

• Sweet & Tart: The rich sweetness of maple syrup perfectly balances the tartness of the cranberries, creating a spread that’s bursting with flavor.
• Versatile: You can use it in a variety of ways—on toast, muffins, scones, pancakes, roasted meats, or even just as a simple topping for baked goods.
• Easy to Make: With just a handful of ingredients, this butter comes together in no time. No special tools or techniques are required!
• Perfect for the Holidays: Maple Cranberry Butter is a wonderful addition to holiday spreads, and it pairs beautifully with turkey, ham, or even as part of a festive breakfast.
• Gift-Worthy: Packaged in a cute jar, this butter makes a thoughtful and delicious gift for friends and family during the holiday season.

Ingredients

• Unsalted Butter: Softened, to create a smooth and creamy base for the spread.
• Maple Syrup: Pure maple syrup is best for this recipe, as it provides the authentic maple flavor and sweetness.
• Fresh Cranberries: Adds tartness and a pop of color, perfectly complementing the sweetness of the maple syrup.
• Brown Sugar: For extra sweetness and a little caramelized flavor that works wonderfully with the cranberries.
• Cinnamon: A pinch of ground cinnamon to add warmth and depth of flavor.
• Salt: A small amount of salt to balance the sweetness and bring out all the flavors.

(Note: Full ingredient measurements are provided in the recipe card below.)

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Cranberries

In a small saucepan, add the fresh cranberries, brown sugar, and a splash of water (about 1-2 tablespoons). Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and soften, about 5-7 minutes. You can mash the cranberries a little with a spoon to create a more rustic texture, or leave them whole for more texture in the butter.

Step 2: Add the Maple Syrup and Cinnamon

Once the cranberries have softened, add the maple syrup and cinnamon to the saucepan. Stir to combine and cook for another 2-3 minutes until everything is well-mixed and the syrup thickens slightly.

Step 3: Cool the Cranberry Mixture

Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the cranberry-maple mixture cool to room temperature. This will help prevent the butter from melting when you combine the two.

Step 4: Mix with Butter

In a medium-sized bowl, combine the softened butter with the cooled cranberry-maple mixture. Use a hand mixer or whisk to blend everything together until smooth and creamy. The cranberries should be evenly distributed throughout the butter.

Step 5: Season and Taste

Add a pinch of salt to taste, and adjust the sweetness if desired by adding a little more maple syrup or brown sugar. Mix again to combine.

Step 6: Serve or Store

Transfer the Maple Cranberry Butter to a jar or serving dish and refrigerate until ready to use. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, and it’s easy to spread straight from the fridge.

Nutrition Facts

Servings: 10
Calories per serving: 100
Total Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 30mg
Sodium: 40mg
Total Carbohydrate: 8g
Dietary Fiber: 0g
Sugars: 7g
Protein: 0g
Vitamin A: 8%
Vitamin C: 2%
Calcium: 0%
Iron: 0%

Preparation Time

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes

How to Serve Maple Cranberry Butter

• With Toast or Bread: Spread this butter on warm toast, bagels, or croissants for a delicious breakfast or snack.
• With Pancakes or Waffles: Top your pancakes or waffles with a dollop of this sweet butter for a festive twist on a classic breakfast.
• On Muffins or Scones: Maple Cranberry Butter makes an excellent topping for freshly baked muffins or scones. It adds both sweetness and moisture.
• With Roasted Meats: Pair it with roasted chicken, turkey, or ham. The sweet and tart flavors of the butter complement savory meats beautifully.
• As a Gift: Pack the butter into a cute jar, tie it with a ribbon, and give it as a thoughtful gift for friends and family, especially during the holidays.

Additional Tips

• Make It Dairy-Free: Use dairy-free butter if you need a non-dairy version of this spread.
• Use Frozen Cranberries: If fresh cranberries are not in season, you can use frozen cranberries instead.
• Add More Spices: Feel free to experiment with other spices like nutmeg or cloves for a deeper, warmer flavor.
• Try Different Syrups: While maple syrup is classic, you can try using other syrups, like honey or agave, for a different taste.
• Keep It Smooth: If you prefer a smoother butter, strain the cranberry mixture before combining it with the butter to remove any bits of skin or pulp.

FAQ Section

Q1: Can I make this ahead of time?
A1: Yes! Maple Cranberry Butter keeps in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, so it’s a great make-ahead option for holiday meals or gifts.

Q2: Can I use this butter on savory dishes?
A2: Absolutely! It’s fantastic on roasted meats like turkey or pork, adding a nice balance of sweetness to the savory flavors.

Q3: Can I use honey instead of maple syrup?
A3: Yes, honey is a great substitute for maple syrup. It will give the butter a different flavor, but it will still be delicious.

Q4: Can I make this butter without cranberries?
A4: If cranberries are not your thing, try using another fruit like raspberries or blueberries for a similar effect. You can also just make a simple maple butter by omitting the berries altogether.

Q5: How long will this butter keep in the fridge?
A5: This butter will keep for about 2 weeks in the fridge. Be sure to store it in an airtight container or jar.

Q6: Can I freeze Maple Cranberry Butter?
A6: Yes, you can freeze this butter. Just transfer it to an airtight container or freezer-safe jar, and it will last for up to 3 months in the freezer. Thaw in the fridge before using.

Q7: Can I use pre-made cranberry sauce for this recipe?
A7: Yes, you can use cranberry sauce if you’re short on time, but the flavor might be a bit sweeter, so adjust the sugar and syrup accordingly.

Q8: Can I use salted butter?
A8: It’s best to use unsalted butter so you can control the salt content in the recipe, but you can use salted butter if that’s all you have on hand—just be sure to adjust the added salt accordingly.

Q9: Can I add more maple syrup?
A9: Yes! If you like your butter sweeter, feel free to add more maple syrup to taste.

Q10: Can I serve this butter at room temperature?
A10: Yes! It’s perfect when it’s softened, so feel free to let it sit out at room temperature for a few minutes before serving.

Conclusion

Maple Cranberry Butter is a sweet, creamy, and slightly tart spread that’s perfect for breakfast, snacks, or even as a finishing touch for savory dishes. It’s easy to make, versatile, and adds a gourmet twist to any meal. Whether you’re looking to impress guests at your next holiday gathering or simply elevate your morning toast, this butter will become a new favorite in your kitchen. Try it out and enjoy the delicious, festive flavor!

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