Homemade Cranberry Apple Butter: Sweet & Tangy Fall Recipe

Autumn’s golden embrace brings a symphony of flavors that dance with warmth and comfort, where homemade cranberry apple butter captures the essence of seasonal magic.

Tart cranberries mingle with sweet apples, creating a rich, velvety spread that whispers memories of crisp orchard mornings.

Each spoonful bursts with deep, caramelized notes and subtle spices that warm you from the inside out.

The slow-cooking process allows ingredients to merge into a luxurious, silky preserve that elevates simple toast or serves as a delightful gift.

Fragrant cinnamon and hints of nutmeg weave through the smooth mixture, promising a sensory journey with every bite.

Dark, glossy, and intensely flavorful, this cranberry apple butter transforms ordinary moments into extraordinary culinary experiences.

Serving Uses for Cranberry Apple Butter

• Breakfast Bliss: Spread this luscious cranberry apple butter generously on warm, toasted sourdough bread for a morning treat that dances with tangy and sweet flavors.
• Dessert Companion: Swirl the butter into vanilla yogurt or layer it between cake layers for an unexpected burst of fruity richness that elevates classic desserts.
• Cheese Board Magic: Pair this smooth fruit butter with sharp cheddar or creamy brie on a charcuterie board, creating a delightful contrast that will impress guests and tantalize taste buds.
• Baking Booster: Incorporate the cranberry apple butter into muffin or quick bread recipes, replacing some of the oil or butter to add deep, complex fruit notes and incredible moisture.

Storage Advice for Cranberry Apple Butter

• Smart Storage Solutions
• Refrigerator Heroes: Transfer your freshly made cranberry apple butter into airtight glass containers. These sealed jars protect the flavor and prevent bacterial growth while keeping your creation deliciously fresh for 3-4 weeks.
• Freezer-Friendly Magic: Divide the butter into small portioned containers or freezer-safe bags. Flat storage allows quick thawing and maximizes freezer space. Frozen batches maintain peak taste for 10-12 months when properly sealed.
• Gifting Inspiration: Decorate clean mason jars with rustic fabric tops or ribbon. Include a handwritten label with the creation date and suggested usage. Homemade fruit butters make charming holiday or hostess gifts that feel personal and thoughtful.
• Quick Serving Tips: Remove refrigerated butter 10-15 minutes before spreading to reach optimal consistency. Use a clean spoon each time to prevent contamination and extend the product's shelf life. Enjoy on toast, biscuits, or as a delightful accompaniment to cheese boards.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 6 hours

Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes

Calories: 120 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredient Rundown for Cranberry Apple Butter

• Apples: Crisp and sweet, choose firm varieties like Gala or Honeycrisp for rich, robust flavor and perfect texture.
• Cranberries: Tart and vibrant, select plump, deep red berries that add beautiful color and tangy brightness to the butter.

• Cinnamon Stick: Aromatic and comforting, whole sticks release deeper, more complex flavor compared to ground spice.

• Honey: Golden and smooth, use raw local honey for enhanced depth and subtle floral undertones that complement the fruits' natural sweetness.

Equipment Used in Cranberry Apple Butter Prep

• Crock pot: Essential for slow-cooking the fruit mixture and creating a rich, smooth butter.
• High-speed blender or food processor: Perfect for pureeing the softened fruit into a smooth consistency.
• Mesh strainer: Helps remove any tough solids and create a silky-smooth texture.
• Large spoon: Useful for pressing puree through the strainer and stirring during cooking.
• Sharp knife: Needed to chop apples into large chunks and remove cores.
• Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for preparing fruits.
• Clean glass jars: Ideal for storing the finished cranberry apple butter.

Method for Making Cranberry Apple Butter

• Fruit Preparation

Gather ripe apples and plump cranberries from your local market or garden. Wash them gently under cool water, removing any stems or debris.

• Cooking Journey

Chop apples into rustic chunks, discarding cores and seeds. Toss them into your trusty slow cooker alongside vibrant cranberries. Cover and let the magic begin on high heat for about four hours, stirring occasionally to blend flavors.

• Smooth Transformation

After fruits soften and merge, transfer the mixture carefully to a blender. Pulse until silky smooth, creating a rich and velvety texture. Strain through a fine mesh to catch any remaining pulp.

• Flavor Development

Return the pureed mixture to the slow cooker. Add a warm cinnamon stick to infuse depth and warmth. Continue cooking uncovered, allowing the butter to thicken and concentrate its tangy-sweet essence.

• Preservation

Once the butter reaches a luxurious spreadable consistency, remove from heat. Carefully ladle into clean glass jars. Let cool completely before sealing and storing in the refrigerator, where it will eagerly await your morning toast or holiday gifting.

Extra Tips for Cranberry Apple Butter Flavor

• Fruit Butter Magic: Transform this classic recipe with unexpected twists that will wow your taste buds and impress family and friends.
• Spice Exploration: Experiment with warm spices like nutmeg, cardamom, or ginger to add depth and complexity to your fruit butter. Each spice brings a unique flavor profile that can elevate the entire dish.
• Sweetness Control: Adjust the sweetness by adding honey, maple syrup, or brown sugar during the final cooking stage. Start with small amounts and taste as you go to achieve your perfect balance of tartness and sweetness.
• Preservation Power: For long-term storage, use proper canning techniques with sterilized jars and process in a water bath. This method extends shelf life and allows you to enjoy your homemade fruit butter throughout the year.
• Serving Suggestions: Spread this delightful butter on warm toast, swirl into yogurt, pair with sharp cheeses, or use as a glaze for roasted meats. Its versatility makes it a kitchen staple that transforms simple dishes into gourmet experiences.

Velvety Cranberry Apple Butter Recipe

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4.7 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Homemade cranberry apple butter brings classic autumn flavors to your breakfast table. Rich spices and fruity notes create a smooth spread perfect for toast, biscuits, or gifting to friends.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 12 oz (340 g) fresh cranberries
• 5–6 apples
• 1 stick of cinnamon (or powdered cinnamon to taste)
• honey (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Meticulously quarter apples, removing cores and seeds with precision, ensuring clean and uniform pieces.
2. Fruit Integration: Cascade cranberries into the slow cooker, combining with apples to create a harmonious fruity foundation.
3. Initial Cooking: Activate slow cooker at high temperature, allowing fruits to transform and meld together over four hours, stirring periodically to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
4. Pureeing Process: Transfer softened fruits to a high-performance blender, processing in batches until achieving a velvety, smooth consistency with no visible fruit chunks.
5. Straining Refinement: Press the puree through a fine-mesh strainer, extracting a silky-smooth texture and discarding any remaining fibrous material.
6. Final Reduction: Return refined puree to the cooking vessel, introducing a fragrant cinnamon stick and continuing to cook uncovered at high heat until the mixture reaches a thick, spreadable butter-like consistency.
7. Preservation: Carefully transfer the finished fruit butter into sterilized glass containers, allowing complete cooling before sealing, and store in refrigeration for up to four weeks or freeze for extended preservation.

Notes

• Prep Apple Carefully: Remove all seeds and cores completely to ensure smooth, seed-free texture in final fruit butter.
• Distribute Cranberries Evenly: Gently fold cranberries throughout mixture to guarantee balanced flavor in every spoonful.
• Monitor Slow Cooking: Stir periodically during four-hour cooking process to prevent bottom from burning and promote consistent texture.
• Strain for Smoothness: Use fine-mesh strainer to remove fibrous remnants, creating ultra-silky, professional-grade fruit butter with professional consistency.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 hours
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 1 mg
• Fat: 0.5 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 31 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg