The Best Whipped Cranberry Butter

Wondering what to do with leftover cranberry sauce? Make this easy Cranberry Butter recipe! It’s a delicious accompaniment to toast or biscuits and is a great way to use up leftover cranberry sauce after Thanksgiving! You’ll love how tasty this whipped cranberry butter is and how easy the recipe is to prepare.

Creating This Cranberry Butter Recipe

I promised when I shared my recipe for Cranberry Orange Relish that I’d share some leftover cranberry sauce uses after Thanksgiving. I already showed you how to make these cute Mini Cranberry Tarts.

Whipped Cranberry Butter is another delicious way to use up leftover cranberry sauce. I love it spread on hot toast or Buttermilk Biscuits fresh from the oven.

Whipped Cranberry Butter is one of those recipes that looks and tastes impressive, but it is a snap to prepare.

It doesn’t take more than 5 minutes and you’ve got a sweet, tangy, butter spread to accompany your Holiday table.

What is Cranberry Butter

Cranberry butter is really simple. It is just whipped butter combined with cranberry sauce.

You’ll get to enjoy the combination of fluffy, salty butter with the flavor of fresh cranberries studded throughout.

Tools Needed to Make this Recipe for Cranberry Butter

You’ll need a few different tools to prepare this cranberry compound butter. Here’s what I recommend having on hand before beginning this easy whipped butter recipe:

• Measuring Cup – to measure the cranberry sauce.
• Microplane Zester – to zest the orange peel.
• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer with Mixing Bowl – to whip the butter with the cranberry sauce and orange zest.
• Flexible Spatula – to scrape the sides of the bowl as you beat the butter.
• Storage Container – a bowl with a lid or a jar works well.

Ingredients for Cranberry Butter

To make this whipped cranberry butter recipe, you’ll need just two basic ingredients: cranberry sauce and salted butter (I recommend Kerrygold)

• For a chunky cranberry relish with golden raisins, walnuts, and plenty of orange, try this Cranberry Orange Walnut Relish.
• If you prefer a smooth cranberry sauce, you’ll want to try this Red Wine Pomegranate Cranberry Sauce.

For the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions to make cranberry whipped butter, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.

Can I Subtitute Non-Dairy Butter?

Possibly, but I can’t say for sure since I’ve only tested this whipped butter recipe with real butter. I think it is probably worth a try!

How to Make Whipped Cranberry Butter

In just 5 minutes, you can have homemade cranberry butter on the table, ready to be slathered on top of bagels, toast, biscuits, and more!

Here’s an overview of how the recipe is made:

1. Add butter to a medium sized bowl. Beat with a hand mixer until fluffy.
2. Add the cranberry sauce and beat until incorporated into the butter and the mixture is light and airy.

Note: For a larger batch, I recommend using a stand mixer with the whisk attachment.

The above is simply a quick summary of this whipped butter recipe. Check out the full recipe in the free printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the detailed instructions.

Tips for Making the Best Cranberry Butter

• If you only have unsalted butter on hand, feel free to use it. Just make sure to add a healthy pinch of salt to the cranberry butter to balance out the flavors.
• Check out these tips to soften butter quickly before starting this recipe; you’ll want to start with softened butter.
• If you want the mixture to remain spreadable after refrigeration, you will have to incorporate some oil into the mixture.
• Alternatively, just bring the cranberry butter to room temperature after refrigeration before you serve.

Recipe FAQs

Got questions about how to make this recipe for cranberry compound butter? Here are the answers to a few commonly asked questions. Feel free to leave any other questions in the comments on this post and I’ll respond with answers.

How Should I Store Cranberry Butter?

Here’s everything you need to know about the different storage options for this cranberry orange butter recipe, how to package the butter, and how long it is good for:

Do I Need to Refrigerate this Cranberry Butter?

Yes, this cranberry compound butter is best stored in the refrigerator if you have leftovers.

If you served it in a bowl, simply cover the bowl with plastic wrap. An airtight container also works.

If you rolled the compound butter into a log, then just roll it back up into the parchment paper, twist the ends, and place in the fridge.

Can I Freeze this Cranberry Butter?

Yes, this cranberry orange butter recipe stores great in the freezer.

Freezing a batch of cranberry butter is a great way to extend its shelf life. Freezing is also a great option if you want to prepare your butter in advance and store it for a later date. Here’s how:

Transfer the whipped cranberry butter to an airtight container, label with date and contents, and transfer to the freezer.

How Long Does Cranberry Butter Last?

You can store this recipe for cranberry butter in the fridge for up to 5 days and in the freezer for 1-2 months.

Let refrigerated cranberry butter sit on the counter for 20-30 minutes so it can reach a spreadable consistency.

To use frozen cranberry butter, let it thaw on the counter for about an hour or in the refrigerator overnight.

Ways to Use this Whipped Butter with Cranberries

Whipped Cranberry Butter is one of the easiest ways to dress up simple recipes. The list could go on and on, but here are some of my favorite uses.

• Who doesn’t love their bread or biscuits with a side of butter? Try cranberry compound butter on Rustic Bread, Homemade Baguette, Sweet Potato Rolls, or Flaky Biscuits.
• Serve it alongside your favorite fall and winter muffins, like Gingerbread muffins, Pumpkin Maple Syrup Muffins, Apple Cranberry Muffins, Zucchini Apple Spice Muffins, or Pumpkin Cornbread Muffins.
• Spread some cranberry butter on 5 Grain Pancakes or Homemade Waffles before drizzling with maple syrup or Apple Cider Syrup.
• Add it to a baked sweet potato for a sweet and tart side dish.

Cranberry Butter for Homemade Gifting

This cranberry butter makes a great holiday gift for neighbors alongside a loaf of homemade bread or a batch of muffins!).

For a pretty gift, package this delicious spread rolled up in parchment paper and tie the ends with pretty ribbon. Or package it in cute mason jars

Homemade cranberry butter also makes a great simple and inexpensive hostess gift when attending holiday parties.

Try this Delicious Cranberry Butter Recipe!

Next time you’re looking for a new fruit butter recipe to try, give this cranberry orange butter a try!

Did you think it was a fantastic recipe? Leave a comment below and give it a review for others to see what you thought of this great recipe.

On Instagram? Share your photo and tag me with @goodlifeeats and #goodlifeeatsrecipes. I’d love to see your photo of this easy recipe for cranberry compound butter!

More Leftover Cranberry Sauce Recipes:

Be sure to check out my Guide to Thanksgiving Leftovers! You’ll find a great selection of recipes that can be made using your leftover Thanksgiving turkey, ham, and cranberry sauce.

These Mini Cranberry Tarts will help you use up any leftover cranberry sauce from your Thanksgiving meal. They’re the perfect fall appetizer and take just 30 minutes to make!

Leftover Turkey Sandwiches are a great way to use up leftover turkey, cranberry sauce, and rolls!

Stir some leftover Cranberry Sauce or Cranberry Relish into real Maple Syrup to make Cranberry Orange Maple Syrup. This tastes great on homemade waffles!

Stir some leftover cranberry sauce into plain yogurt for some Cranberry Yogurt! You can layer it in a glass with granola for a special breakfast treat!

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How do you like to use leftover cranberry sauce?