Honey: The floral sweetness of honey mellows the tartness of the cranberries without making the butter overly sweet. Not sure which honey to buy? See which brands of honey our Test Kitchen favors.
Orange zest: Cranberry and orange is a classic flavor combination in baked goods, cocktails, cranberry sauce and more. Orange zest adds a bright, citrusy note that pairs perfectly with the sweet-tart cranberries. You’ll need one large orange to yield the 2 teaspoons of zest required for this recipe.
Salt: A pinch of salt helps balance the cranberries’ tartness and the honey’s sweetness. If you use salted butter, you can skip adding salt.
Directions
Step 1: Make the cranberry butter
In a small bowl, beat the softened butter, chopped dried cranberries, honey, orange zest and salt with an electric mixer or rubber spatula until they’re blended.
Editor’s Tip: Let your butter sit at room temperature for at least one hour before making cranberry butter. If you forget, use one of our hacks to soften butter quickly.
Editor’s Tip: If you prefer to shape it into a butter log, scoop the butter into the center of a piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper, roll it tightly and twist the ends closed. Double-wrap it in aluminum foil to keep it fresh and free from absorbing odors in the fridge or freezer.
Continued on next page:
