Maple Cranberry Butter for Fall Recipe
This Delicious Maple Cranberry Butter is a perfect fall spread made by cooking fresh cranberries with maple syrup until soft and naturally thickened, then blended to a smooth, silky consistency. It’s versatile for toast, pancakes, or as a flavorful addition to your holiday meals, and can be canned to enjoy for weeks.
- Author: Emma
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 2 cups of maple cranberry butter 1x
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- Two 12-ounce bags fresh cranberries
- 1 cup pure maple syrup (or substitute with brown sugar if desired)
- Rinse the Cranberries: Thoroughly wash the cranberries under cold running water to remove any debris or stems.
- Prepare the Cooking Pot: Place the rinsed cranberries in a large heavy saucepan or Dutch oven, suitable for even heat distribution.
- Add Maple Syrup: Stir in the maple syrup so the cranberries are evenly coated, enhancing the natural tartness with sweetness.
- Cook the Cranberries: Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat slightly and let it boil for 5 to 10 minutes, until cranberries pop open, soften, and the mixture thickens naturally from the pectin. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the mixture to cool for a few minutes to make blending safer and easier.
- Blend to Smoothness: Transfer the mixture 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.
- Check Consistency: If the butter isn’t thick enough, return it to the cleaned saucepan and cook further until it reaches your desired thickness. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Jar the Butter: Spoon the finished maple cranberry butter into clean jars, let it cool to room temperature, then seal and refrigerate. It keeps well for up to 3 weeks to a month.
- Canning (Optional): For longer storage, pour the hot butter into sterilized jars leaving ¼ inch headspace. Wipe rims clean, secure lids tightly, and process jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. Adjust time for higher altitudes accordingly.
- Cool & Seal Check: Remove the jars from the water bath and let them sit for 5 minutes. Cool jars for 12 to 24 hours, then check seals by pressing the center of the lids—they should not flex if properly sealed.
Notes
- Substitute brown sugar for maple syrup if you prefer a different sweetness profile.
- The butter will thicken more as it cools and chills, so avoid overcooking it initially.
- Use sterilized jars for canning to ensure long shelf life and food safety.
- Be cautious of hot splatters when boiling the cranberry mixture; stirring helps to prevent sticking and burning.
- Store refrigerated butter within 3 weeks to 1 month if not canned.
Keywords: maple cranberry butter, fall recipe, cranberry spread, homemade cranberry butter, fruit butter, holiday spread, maple syrup, easy fall recipe