Cranberry Honey Butter

Cranberry Honey Butter

This Cranberry Honey Butter recipe is a great option for hostess gifts and your Christmas or Thanksgiving table! We have made this recipe countless times and everyone loves even those who don't eat cranberries regularly. The ingredients (literally) whip together in no time and keep in the refrigerator for about two weeks.  This will allow you to make them all up ahead of time, package them beautifully, and just grab one on your way out the door. Add a fresh loaf of local bread, some tasty crackers, or a wooden cutting board if you like and you have the perfect gift.

Cranberry Honey Butter Recipe

Ingredients

• ½ stick of soft butter
• ¼ cup of whole cranberry sauce
• 2 tablespoons of local honey
• a few cracks of fresh ground sea salt
• 4oz Mason jar
• dainty ceramic spoon or wood spreader knife
• parchment paper
• twine for wrapping

Ingredients listed will fill one 4oz jar. Use this handy website to help figure out exactly how much you will need for larger batches.

Directions

1. Using the paddle attachment on your electric mixer combine room temp butter, cranberry sauce, honey, and salt.
2. Whip together until fully incorporated, about 2 minutes.
3. Scoop out and fill your jars.
4. You’ll want to give the rims a quick wipe to ensure they are gift-ready.
5. At this time you can wrap them with the parchment paper and twine or wait until you’re ready to hand them out.

Cranberry Sauce Recipe with Orange

Why Do Cranberries Work So Well In Honey Butter? 

There are a few reasons why cranberries and honey butter pair so well together. The combination of sweet, tart, creamy, and slightly tart textures creates a complex and enjoyable eating experience. This is why cranberries and honey butter are often enjoyed together on toast, pancakes, waffles, and other breakfast items.

Sweet and tart contrast: Cranberries are naturally tart and tangy, with a high concentration of citric acid. Honey, on the other hand, is sweet and floral. This combination creates a delightful contrast in flavors, with the sweetness of the honey balancing out the tartness of the cranberries.

Complementary textures: Cranberries have a slightly firm texture with a little pop when you bite into them. Honey butter, on the other hand, is smooth and creamy. This textural contrast adds another layer of interest to the pairing.

Familiar flavor pairing: Cranberries and honey are both commonly used in fall and winter recipes, such as cranberry sauce and pumpkin bread. This familiarity can make the combination seem more appealing and comforting.

Enhancement of individual flavors: Honey can enhance the tartness of cranberries, making them taste brighter and more vibrant. Additionally, the richness of the butter can complement the sweetness of the honey, creating a more well-rounded flavor profile.

DIY Cranberry Heart Christmas Wreath Frame

Who Invented Honey Butter? 

Pinpointing the exact inventor of honey butter is difficult because it's a simple combination of two readily available ingredients, and its creation likely predates documented history. We can trace the history of commercially produced honey butter to Downey's Honey-Butter, which was established in 1942 by the Downey family. They claim to have perfected a unique recipe using a specific honey blend, creating a product that has become popular in the United States.

While Downey's may not be the “inventor” in the strictest sense, they played a significant role in popularizing and commercially producing honey butter. It's important to remember that similar combinations of honey and butter were likely enjoyed by people well before 1942. While not the original honey butter itself, this popular Korean snack of Honey Butter Chips launched in 2014 was inspired by pre-existing honey butter flavors and contributed to its wider recognition.

The concept of combining honey and butter likely existed for centuries, specific recipes and brands associated with honey butter have their individual histories. Have you asked yourself if honey butter is good for you? We hope that you are inspired by this Cranberry Honey Butter Recipe. Thanks for visiting!