Delicous Cranberry Orange Honey Butter Recipe

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Make this easy Cranberry Orange Honey Butter in 10 minutes with items from your kitchen! A sweet and tangy spread perfect for bread, scones, savory dishes, or gifting during the holidays.

I’ve always loved the perfect pairing of cranberry and orange. These flavors taste like Christmas, hint at the New Year, and brighten up the cold winter months. They’re a delicious mix of tangy and sweet and work well with both savory and sweet dishes.

Today, I’m sharing a delicious, easy, and quick recipe: Cranberry Orange Honey Butter. This simple compound butter comes together in less than 10 minutes! Spread it on warm bread, scones, or muffins, add it to finish a pork tenderloin sauce, and enjoy the flavors of the season. Best of all, you probably already have everything you need in your kitchen. Cranberry Orange Honey Butter also makes a thoughtful, handcrafted gift for friends and family.

Let’s get started…

Ingredients In Cranberry Orange Honey Butter

The ingredients are simple and delicious!

Together, these ingredients create a delightful balance of flavors—creamy, sweet, and tangy that will complement other food. It’s a simple recipe with a big, bright flavor!

Cranberry Orange Honey Butter Recipe

Put softened butter, dried chopped cranberries, orange zest, and honey in a medium bowl.

Using a large spoon, mix thoroughly together.

Put the butter in the middle of the parchment paper resembling a log.

Roll in parchment paper or put in an airtight jar and refrigerate.

Tips For Making Compound Butter

Use Room Temperature Butter
Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature. This makes it easier to mix and helps the ingredients combine evenly.

Chop the Dried Cranberries Finely
Finely chop the cranberries so they mix smoothly into the butter and distribute evenly without creating large chunks.

Zest the Orange Carefully
Use a fine grater or zester to get just the orange peel, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath. Fresh zest adds a bright, citrusy flavor.

Choose High-Quality Honey
A good-quality honey enhances the sweetness and overall flavor of the butter. Raw honey works especially well for its natural richness.

Mix Thoroughly but Gently
Combine the ingredients well, but don’t overmix, as the butter can lose its light, creamy texture.

Taste and Adjust
Before finishing, taste the butter and adjust the honey or orange zest to suit your preference for sweetness or brightness.

Chill Before Serving
Chill the butter in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving for a firmer texture. This is especially helpful when gifting.

Store Properly
Store the butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze for longer storage.

Presentation Matters
If gifting, wrap it with twine and add a handwritten label for a personal touch.

How To Make A Compound Butter Log In Parchment Paper

It’s really very easy. Once you learn the technique, it works every time! Go HERE to see a helpful video.

Recipe Variations

Compound butters are so versatile, and there are endless ways to customize them. If you love this Cranberry Orange Honey Butter, here are a few creative variations to try that still capture its sweet, seasonal spirit:

1. Cranberry Lemon Honey Butter
   Swap out the orange zest for lemon zest to give the butter a slightly tangier and brighter flavor.
2. Maple Cranberry Butter
   Replace the honey with pure maple syrup for a cozy twist.
3. Cranberry Cinnamon Butter
   Add a pinch of ground cinnamon to the original recipe for a warm, spiced flavor.
4. Cranberry Vanilla Honey Butter
   Mix in a splash of vanilla extract to complement the sweetness of the honey and add a smooth, mellow note.
5. Cranberry Orange Pecan Butter
   Stir in finely chopped pecans for added crunch and a nutty flavor.
6. Cranberry Orange Brown Sugar Butter
   Replace the honey with a tablespoon of brown sugar for a rich, caramel-like sweetness.
7. Cranberry Orange Spiced Butter
   Add a pinch of nutmeg, cinnamon, or cloves to enhance the seasonal flavors and create a spiced holiday version.
8. Honey Citrus Butter
   For a simpler variation, leave out the cranberries and make an orange and honey butter that still delivers bright, sweet flavor.
9. Cranberry Orange Honey Mustard Butter: Add a teaspoon of Dijon or whole-grain mustard to the original recipe for a subtle tangy twist.

Ways To Use The Butter

Here are a few ways to use this delicious and versatile compound butter…

Sweet Uses

• Spread it on warm toast, muffins, scones, or English muffins.
• Use it to butter pancakes, waffles, or French toast.
• Melt it and drizzle over warm banana bread or cranberry bread.
• Slather it on biscuits or croissants for a festive treat.
• Use it as a topping for baked sweet potatoes.
• Add a dollop to hot oatmeal or cream of wheat for extra flavor.
• Serve it with a platter of tea cakes or breakfast pastries.
• Mix it into plain yogurt or cottage cheese for a sweet twist.
• Use it as a filling for crepes or as a spread on dessert sandwiches.

Savory Uses

• Melt it and use it for a holiday-inspired grilled cheese sandwich.
• Spread it over cornbread or warm dinner rolls for a sweet-savory kick.
• Brush it on roasted carrots, sweet potatoes, or acorn squash before baking.
• Use it as a glaze for baked ham or roasted chicken.
• Add a small pat to cooked pork chops or turkey to enhance flavor.
• Stir it into mashed sweet potatoes for a hint of sweetness and citrus.
• Melt it and use it to caramelize onions along with olive oil.
• Use it as a butter spread for holiday paninis with turkey and cranberry sauce.

Gift Giving

This butter makes a thoughtful and delicious handmade gift. Simply divide the recipe in half to create two smaller butter logs or fill a small jar. Write a handwritten tag with the butter’s name and a few ideas for how to use it. I tied the tag, along with a dried orange slice, to one end of the log using baker’s twine for a festive touch. A few of our neighbors will be receiving this, paired with a small loaf of bread, for Christmas.

My Beer Bread recipe, which uses simple ingredients you probably have on hand, is the perfect match for this butter!

Cranberry Orange Honey Butter is a simple, flavorful addition to your table and a delightful way to warm up the chilly months of winter. Whether you’re spreading it on warm bread, gifting it to loved ones, or adding it to your favorite dishes, this butter brings a bit of sweetness and brightness to any recipe.

I hope you give this recipe a try. And don’t forget handmade gifts like this are the ones that truly come from the heart.

Enjoy!

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