Maple Cranberry Butter for Fall Recipe

Introduction

Delicious Maple Cranberry Butter is a perfect seasonal spread that combines tart cranberries with the rich sweetness of pure maple syrup. This smooth, silky butter is ideal for toast, muffins, or even as a glaze for meats during fall and holiday gatherings.

A small clear glass jar is filled with a smooth and glossy dark red berry jam, with a thick swirl of jam on the top rising in a peak. The jar is held by a woman's hand with red painted nails, showing the shiny and thick texture of the jam inside. The background is blurred, showing soft natural greens and blues that contrast with the rich red color of the jam, all set against a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 24 ounces fresh cranberries (two 12-ounce bags)
  • 1 cup pure maple syrup (or substitute with brown sugar if desired)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse the cranberries and place them in a large heavy saucepan or pot, such as a Dutch oven.
  2. Step 2: Stir in the maple syrup until the cranberries are evenly coated.
  3. Step 3: Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat slightly and let the berries boil for 5-10 minutes until they pop open, soften, and the mixture thickens naturally. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and be cautious of hot splatters.
  4. Step 4: Allow the cranberry mixture to cool slightly, then transfer it to a high-speed blender or food processor. Blend until completely smooth and silky. Cover the blender lid with a dishcloth if the mixture is hot to avoid spills.
  5. Step 5: Check the consistency. If it’s not thick enough, return it to the cleaned saucepan and cook further until reaching your preferred thickness. Keep in mind it will thicken more as it chills.
  6. Step 6: Spoon the finished butter into clean jars, let it cool, then cap and refrigerate. It will keep for up to 3 weeks to a month.
  7. Optional Canning: Pour the hot butter into hot sterilized jars, leaving ¼ inch of headspace. Wipe the rims clean and secure the lids tightly. Process the jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes, adjusting for altitude. Remove the canner from heat, take off the lid, and let the jars sit for 5 minutes before removing. Allow jars to cool for 12-24 hours and check seals. The lids shouldn’t flex if properly sealed.

Tips & Variations

  • For a less sweet version, reduce the maple syrup or substitute half with brown sugar for a deeper flavor.
  • Add a pinch of cinnamon or orange zest during cooking for a warm, fragrant twist.
  • If you prefer a chunkier butter, pulse the blender a few times instead of blending fully smooth.
  • Use fresh or frozen cranberries; just adjust cooking time slightly if using frozen.

Storage

Store the cranberry butter in clean jars refrigerated for up to 3 weeks to a month. If canned properly following water bath instructions, it can be stored in a cool, dark place for several months. Reheat gently if needed, but it’s delicious served chilled or at room temperature.

How to Serve

A white pot filled with a mixture of three large cubes of pale yellow butter sitting in a layer of light amber syrup, surrounded by a layer of bright red cranberries with a shiny texture, some cranberries dusted lightly with white granulated sugar. The pot rests on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen cranberries instead of fresh?

Yes, frozen cranberries work well in this recipe. Just increase the cooking time slightly to allow them to thaw and break down fully.

How thick should the cranberry butter be?

The butter should be smooth and spreadable, thick enough to hold shape but not stiff. It will thicken further as it cools and chills, so slightly thinner consistency while hot is ideal.

Print

Maple Cranberry Butter for Fall Recipe

This Delicious Maple Cranberry Butter is a smooth, silky spread perfect for fall. Made by cooking fresh cranberries with pure maple syrup and blending until creamy, it offers a natural sweetness and vibrant flavor ideal for spreading on toast, baking, or adding to yogurt. Its easy preparation and long shelf life make it a fantastic seasonal treat.

  • Author: Isla
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: About 2 cups 1x
  • Category: Spread
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

  • 24 ounces fresh cranberries (two 12-ounce bags)
  • 1 cup pure maple syrup (or substitute with brown sugar if desired)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Cranberries: Rinse the cranberries thoroughly and place them in a large heavy saucepan or pot, such as a Dutch oven, to ensure even cooking.
  2. Add Maple Syrup: Stir in the maple syrup with the cranberries, making sure all berries are evenly coated for balanced sweetness.
  3. Cook the Mixture: Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat slightly and allow it to boil for 5-10 minutes. During this time, the cranberries will pop open, soften, and the natural pectin will thicken the mixture. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and be careful of hot splatters.
  4. Blend Until Smooth: Let the cranberry mixture cool slightly before transferring it to a high-speed blender or food processor. Blend until completely smooth and silky. If the mixture is still hot, cover the blender lid with a dishcloth to prevent any spills.
  5. Adjust Thickness: Check the texture of the cranberry butter. If it is not thick enough to your liking, return it to the cleaned saucepan and cook further until you reach your preferred thickness. Keep in mind it will thicken more as it cools in the refrigerator.
  6. Jar and Store: Spoon the finished cranberry butter into clean jars, allow it to cool completely, then cap and refrigerate. It will keep fresh for up to 3 weeks to a month.
  7. Optional Canning Method: Pour the hot cranberry butter into hot sterilized jars, leaving ¼ inch of headspace. Wipe the rims clean and secure the lids tightly. Process the jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes, adjusting the time for altitude if necessary. Remove from heat and let the jars sit for 5 minutes before removing them. Allow jars to cool for 12-24 hours and check seals by pressing the center of the lids; they should not flex if sealed properly.

Notes

  • The recipe can be sweetened with either pure maple syrup or brown sugar according to your preference.
  • Be cautious when boiling the cranberries, as the mixture can splatter and cause burns.
  • The cranberry butter will thicken as it cools, so avoid overcooking to prevent it from becoming too dense.
  • If you prefer a chunkier texture, pulse blend instead of fully pureeing.
  • This butter can be refrigerated for up to one month or canned for longer storage.
  • Use sterilized jars and follow food safety guidelines if opting to can the cranberry butter.

Keywords: maple cranberry butter, cranberry spread, fall recipe, homemade butter, cranberry sauce alternative, maple syrup recipes, spread recipes

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