If you love the combination of cranberries and oranges, you’re going to love this homemade cranberry orange butter!
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This sweet, creamy butter is made with softened butter, dried cranberries, fresh orange zest, and a little honey. It’s an easy recipe that adds a festive touch to breakfast and holiday brunch.
I love making flavored butters during the holiday season. They’re simple to put together, look beautiful served in a little dish, and make an ordinary piece of toast or homemade muffin feel a little more special.
Cranberry orange butter is especially delicious served with warm biscuits, homemade bread, pancakes, waffles, and muffins.
You can even shape it into a log, wrap it in parchment paper, and give it as a homemade Christmas gift.
Cranberry Orange Butter Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
How to Make Cranberry Orange Butter
Step 1: Soften the Butter
Remove the butter from the refrigerator and allow it to soften at room temperature. You want it soft enough to mix easily but not melted.
Step 2: Prepare the Cranberries
Finely chop the dried cranberries into small pieces. This makes them easier to incorporate into the butter and helps distribute their flavor throughout.
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Step 3: Combine the Ingredients
Place the softened butter in a medium mixing bowl. Add the chopped cranberries, orange zest, honey, vanilla extract, and salt.
Step 4: Mix Until Creamy
Use a hand mixer or wooden spoon to mix everything together until smooth and creamy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Step 5: Chill the Butter
Transfer the cranberry orange butter to a small serving dish or place it on a piece of parchment paper.
If you want to make a butter log, spoon the mixture onto parchment paper and roll it into a cylinder. Twist the ends to seal.
Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving so the butter has time to firm up and the flavors can blend together.
Tips for Making Homemade Cranberry Orange Butter
Use fresh orange zest. Freshly grated orange zest gives this butter its wonderful citrus flavor. Avoid grating too deeply into the white part of the orange peel, which can taste bitter.
Chop the cranberries finely. Smaller pieces distribute more evenly throughout the butter and make it easier to spread.
Adjust the sweetness. If you prefer a sweeter butter, add another tablespoon of honey. You can also substitute maple syrup.
Make it ahead. This butter can be prepared several days before serving. Keep it covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it.
How to Serve Cranberry Orange Butter
There are so many ways to enjoy this sweet homemade butter!
Try spreading it on:
- Warm homemade biscuits
- Toasted English muffins
- Homemade cranberry orange bread
- Pancakes and waffles
- French toast
- Homemade dinner rolls
- Cornbread
- Banana bread
- Scones
- Homemade muffins
It’s especially delicious served with warm bread straight from the oven.
How to Store Cranberry Orange Butter
Store cranberry orange butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
You can also freeze it for up to 2 months. If you’ve shaped it into a butter log, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe bag.
Thaw frozen butter in the refrigerator before serving.
More Cranberry and Orange Recipes
If you enjoy the combination of cranberries and oranges, here are a few more recipes from The Homemaker’s Corner you might enjoy.
This homemade cranberry orange bread is full of tart cranberries and bright citrus flavor.
It’s a wonderful quick bread to bake during the holiday season and is especially delicious with a little cranberry orange butter spread on top.
These cranberry orange muffins are soft, moist, and full of fresh cranberry flavor. Serve them warm with a little homemade flavored butter for a special breakfast.
Frosted cranberries are beautiful for holiday decorating and make a delicious sweet-tart treat. They also make a pretty garnish for your Christmas dessert table.
Easy Slow Cooker Cranberry Butter
If you love homemade fruit spreads, try this slow cooker cranberry butter. It’s made with fresh cranberries and warm spices and is delicious served on toast, muffins, and pancakes.
If you enjoy making flavored butters, this honey lavender butter is another easy recipe to try. It combines creamy butter, honey, and culinary lavender for a lovely sweet spread.
Homemade cranberry orange butter is such an easy way to add something special to your holiday breakfast table.
It takes just a few minutes to prepare, uses simple ingredients, and is a wonderful way to enjoy seasonal cranberry and orange flavors.
Make a batch for Christmas morning, serve it alongside homemade muffins or biscuits, or package it in a little glass jar with a festive ribbon for a thoughtful homemade gift.
It’s a simple little kitchen project that makes the holidays feel even more special!
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