Hot Cranberry Butter

Prep: 5 min Cook: 10 min Cuisine: American

A warm, flavorful cranberry butter with fresh or frozen cranberries, perfect for spreading on breakfast favorites like French toast, waffles, or pancakes, adding a tangy sweetness.

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Ingredients

  • 2 cups cranberries
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup butter

Instructions

  1. Combine cranberries, sugar, and water in a saucepan. Heat to boiling, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
  2. Boil until the berries pop, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add brown sugar and butter to the saucepan.
  4. Heat until the brown sugar and butter are dissolved.
  5. Serve hot on French toast, waffles, or pancakes.

Tips & Substitutions

For a smoother consistency, consider blending the cranberry mixture after boiling. If fresh cranberries are unavailable, frozen cranberries work just as well; just add a couple of extra minutes to the boiling time. To reduce sugar, you can substitute half the white sugar with honey or maple syrup for a different flavor profile.

Serving Suggestions

This delightful Hot Cranberry Butter pairs beautifully with French toast, waffles, or pancakes. For a complete breakfast, serve it alongside Southern Sweet Potato Muffins or a fresh fruit salad. It also makes a great topping for oatmeal or yogurt for a quick snack.

Storage & Reheating

Store any leftover Hot Cranberry Butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. To reheat, simply warm it in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, or microwave in short bursts, stirring in between until heated through.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Hot Cranberry Butter contains roughly 547 calories, with 3g protein, 107g carbohydrates, and 16g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (49% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (30% of the Daily Value). It also contributes 8g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.

547 kcal 27% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 2.6g 5% DV
Total Fat 16g 21% DV
Carbs 107.5g 39% DV
Fiber 8.5g 30% DV
Sugar 72.6g 100% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 22.5mg 1% DV
Potassium 365.7mg 8% DV
Cholesterol 45mg 15% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 1.2mcg
Vitamin C 43.7mg 49% DV
Calcium 60.6mg 5% DV
Iron 1.2mg 7% DV
Diet fit High-fiber Low-fat
Contains Milk

Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use other fruits instead of cranberries?

Yes, you can substitute cranberries with other tart berries like blueberries or raspberries. Just keep in mind that the cooking time may vary depending on the fruit's size and juiciness.

Is this recipe suitable for canning?

This Hot Cranberry Butter is not recommended for canning due to its high sugar content and the need for refrigeration. However, it can be frozen in small portions for future use.

What can I do with leftover cranberry butter?

Leftover Hot Cranberry Butter can be used as a spread for toast, muffins, or biscuits. It also makes a delicious filling for pastries or as a topping for ice cream or yogurt.

Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).

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