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The Ultimate Guide to Homemade Whipped Cherry Butter: A Sweet & Simple Recipe

If you’ve never experienced the delightful charm of homemade cherry butter, prepare to have your breakfast routine transformed. This quick and incredibly easy recipe crafts a batch of creamy, vibrant, and utterly irresistible cherry butter that you’ll want to generously spread on all your favorite breads, muffins, and baked treats. Forget plain butter; this luscious spread introduces a whole new level of flavor and indulgence.

What Exactly is Whipped Cherry Butter?

Often confused with cherry jam or jelly, whipped cherry butter is a distinct and delightful creation made by combining softened butter with sweet or slightly tart cherry flavors, a touch of powdered sugar, and often a hint of almond extract. Unlike jams or jellies, which rely on fruit pectin and a significant amount of sugar for their texture, this compound butter boasts an incredibly rich, creamy, and velvety consistency. It’s essentially a fruit-infused butter, designed to melt beautifully into warm baked goods, enhancing them with its unique blend of tart cherry and buttery richness.

Imagine the subtly tart essence of cherry pie filling blended with fluffy, almond-kissed butter and just enough powdered sugar to create a thick, luscious spread. That’s the magic of this ultimate whipped cherry butter. The combination of sweet cherries and rich butter is a match made in culinary heaven, offering a taste experience that is both comforting and exciting.

Why You Need This Easy Cherry Butter Recipe in Your Life

This isn’t just another condiment; it’s a game-changer for your breakfast and brunch table. Here’s why this easy cherry butter recipe deserves a permanent spot in your culinary repertoire:

Effortless Elegance: With minimal ingredients and simple steps, you can create a gourmet-feeling spread that impresses without the fuss.
Unforgettable Flavor: The balance of sweet, tart, and creamy is simply divine. The almond extract adds a sophisticated depth that perfectly complements the cherries.
Versatility: From sweet morning treats to savory pairings (yes, really!), this butter is incredibly adaptable.
Make Ahead Friendly: Prepare it in advance and store it, making your busy mornings or spontaneous brunches much smoother.
A Family Favorite: Children and adults alike adore this vibrant, flavorful spread. Watch it slowly melt into warm waffles or pancakes, adding a beautiful color and irresistible taste.

Perfect Pairings: Ways to Enjoy Your Cherry Butter

One of the best things about homemade cherry butter is its incredible versatility. It elevates everyday items into something special. Here are some of our absolute favorite ways to enjoy this luscious fruit-flavored butter:

Breakfast & Brunch Staples: Spread it generously on warm waffles, fluffy pancakes, French toast, or crispy English muffins straight off the griddle. The butter will gently melt, releasing its delightful aroma and flavor.
Artisan Breads: It’s exceptional on freshly baked Peasant Bread, delicate Pop Overs, or these delightful poppyseed rolls. The subtle sweetness and tang cut through the richness of the bread beautifully.
Bagels & Toast: Transform a simple bagel or slice of toast into a gourmet experience. Even a classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich gets an exciting upgrade when you swap the jelly for this cherry compound butter.
Scones & Biscuits: Serve it alongside warm, flaky scones or buttermilk biscuits for a truly decadent treat.
Dessert Enhancer: A dollop can even be placed on a warm cherry crisp or apple pie to add an extra layer of richness and flavor.

Simple Ingredients for Extraordinary Flavor

This elegant cherry butter comes together with just a handful of readily available ingredients. The key is to use quality components, as each plays a vital role in achieving that perfect texture and taste.

Unsalted Butter: The Foundation
We recommend using unsalted butter for this recipe. This gives you complete control over the overall sweetness and seasoning of your cherry butter. Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature before you begin. This is crucial for achieving that light, fluffy, and creamy consistency when whipping.

Powdered Sugar: Sweetness & Smoothness
Also known as confectioners’ sugar, powdered sugar not only sweetens the butter but also contributes to its incredibly smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Its fine consistency ensures there are no grainy bits, resulting in a truly luxurious spread.

Almond Extract: The Secret Weapon
A small dash of almond extract works wonders in this recipe. Almond and cherry flavors are a classic pairing, and the extract beautifully enhances the natural cherry notes, adding a subtle depth and complexity that elevates the butter from simple to spectacular.

Cherry Pie Filling: Instant Cherry Goodness
This is where the vibrant cherry flavor comes from, and using canned cherry pie filling makes this recipe incredibly convenient. There’s no need to pit pounds of fresh cherries or spend time cooking them down. The pie filling provides a ready-made, perfectly sweetened, and textured cherry component, saving you valuable time without compromising on taste.

How to Make Homemade Cherry Butter: A Step-by-Step Guide

Crafting this delightful cherry butter is remarkably straightforward. Follow these simple steps to create a batch of creamy, flavorful spread that will impress everyone.

Step 1: Cream the Butter
Begin by placing your softened unsalted butter into a mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer (either a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a hand mixer), beat the butter on medium-high speed until it becomes light, fluffy, and visibly increased in volume. This creaming process incorporates air, giving the butter its luxurious, whipped consistency.

Step 2: Add Sweetness and Flavor
Next, add the powdered sugar and almond extract to the creamed butter. Continue to beat on medium speed until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and the mixture is smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is incorporated evenly and there are no lumps of powdered sugar.

Step 3: Incorporate the Cherry Filling
Finally, add the cherry pie filling to the butter mixture. Beat on low to medium speed until the cherry filling is fully integrated, and the mixture transforms into a beautiful, even, butter-like puree. Be careful not to overmix at this stage; just mix until combined and smooth. If you prefer a completely lump-free butter, you can puree the cherry pie filling in a blender or food processor before adding it.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy!
Your homemade whipped cherry butter is now ready to be enjoyed! Serve it immediately on your favorite English muffins, bagels, toast, or any other baked good. Don’t forget to try it with some peanut butter for a delicious twist on a classic PB&J!

Storage Tips for Freshness

One of the many advantages of this cherry compound butter is how well it stores, allowing you to enjoy its delightful flavor over several days or even weeks. Properly storing your flavored butter ensures it remains fresh and delicious.

Refrigeration: Store your homemade cherry butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. Just like regular butter, it will firm up when chilled. For easy spreading, remember to take it out of the fridge about 15-30 minutes before serving to allow it to come to room temperature.
Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze compound butter in an airtight container for up to 1 month. You can also get creative by freezing individual portions in an ice cube tray. Once frozen, pop out the cubes and transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. This method is perfect for thawing just a single serving at a time whenever a craving strikes!

Frequently Asked Questions About Compound Butters

What is compound butter? Compound butter is butter that has been softened and then mixed with other ingredients, typically herbs, spices, or sweet elements like fruit, to create a flavored spread. It’s a simple way to add an extra layer of taste to dishes.
What can you use compound butter on? Compound butter is incredibly versatile! Sweet versions like cherry butter are perfect on toast, bagels, waffles, pancakes, muffins, scones, and even mixed into oatmeal. Savory compound butters, on the other hand, are fantastic with grilled meats, roasted vegetables, pasta, or garlic bread.
How long does fresh compound butter last? Freshly made compound butter generally lasts as long as plain butter, typically up to 10 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Always check the best-before date of your butter as a guide.
Can you freeze compound butter? Yes! Compound butter freezes beautifully. Store it in an airtight container or tightly wrapped for up to 1 month. As mentioned, freezing it in an ice cube tray is a fantastic way to portion it out for individual use.
What is an example of compound butter? A common example found in restaurants is herb butter served with bread. This recipe for cherry pie filling butter is another excellent, sweet example of compound butter. Others include garlic butter, honey cinnamon butter, or citrus zest butter.
Should compound butter be refrigerated? Yes, always refrigerate compound butter to maintain its freshness and prevent spoilage, especially if it contains fresh ingredients. Bring it to room temperature before serving for optimal spreadability.
Can I use fresh cherries instead of pie filling? Absolutely! While pie filling offers convenience, fresh or frozen cherries can be used. You’ll need to cook them down with a little sugar until they soften and release their juices, then mash or puree them to your desired consistency. This allows for more control over sweetness and tartness.

Beyond Cherry: Explore Other Flavored Butters

Once you master cherry butter, the world of flavored butters opens up! You can also try savory options to elevate your main courses and sides.

I have a Roasted Garlic Butter that makes the most delectable garlic cheese bread, and this Herb Butter that I use when I make my Filets in the oven. Divine!

Customizing Your Cherry Butter: Substitutions & Variations

The beauty of making compound butter at home is the endless possibilities for customization. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make this recipe truly your own! There are really no limitations to the different kinds of fruit-flavored butter you can create.

Fruit Choices: While cherry is fantastic, you can whip up a batch of any fruit butter you desire. Apple butter, made with organic apples, would be an excellent choice. Consider using seasonal fruits like peaches, berries, or plums. Just ensure the fruit component is cooked down or pureed to a smooth consistency before blending with the butter.
Extract Alternatives: If you don’t have almond extract on hand, a good quality vanilla extract can be used as a substitute. Other extracts like lemon, orange, or even a hint of rum extract could also offer interesting flavor profiles.
Homemade Cherry Filling: For a truly homemade experience, you can easily make your own cherry filling from scratch. Use tart cherries, sour cherries, black sweet cherries, or even fresh cherries from your own cherry tree. You’ll need to cook the cherries gently with a little hot water, a touch of lemon juice for brightness, and perhaps some fruit pectin (if you want a thicker, jam-like consistency) over medium heat until they thicken. A splash of apple juice or any fruit juice can be added to sweeten it naturally.
Spice it Up: A pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a tiny bit of cardamom could add a warm, cozy note to your cherry butter, especially for fall and winter pairings.
Citrus Zest: For an extra zing, grate in a bit of orange or lemon zest along with the almond extract. This brightens the flavor considerably.

Another sweet butter that is a must-try for a unique flavor is my Copycat Texas Roadhouse Cinnamon Honey Butter, perfect for rolls and bread.

Expert Tips for the Best Cherry Butter

Room Temperature Butter is Key: Always bring your butter to a true room temperature before you begin whipping. This ensures it creams properly, incorporating air and resulting in that desirable fluffy, thick consistency. Cold butter won’t whip well, and melted butter will separate.
Smooth Sugar Matters: To avoid any lumps in your finished cherry butter, ensure your powdered sugar is lump-free. You can achieve this by sifting the sugar through a fine-mesh sieve as you add it to the butter mixture.
Puree for Perfection: If you prefer a completely smooth and seed-free cherry butter, you can puree the cherry pie filling by placing it in a blender or food processor for a few seconds before incorporating it into the butter. This step is optional but highly recommended for a silky texture.
Scrape the Bowl: During the mixing process, frequently stop to scrape down the sides and bottom of your mixing bowl with a rubber spatula. This ensures all ingredients are evenly incorporated and prevents any unmixed pockets.
Taste and Adjust: Always taste your cherry butter before serving and adjust the sweetness if necessary. Some cherry pie fillings are sweeter than others, so you might want to add a little more powdered sugar to suit your preference.

More Irresistible Cherry Recipes to Love

If you’re a fan of the vibrant flavor of cherries, you’re in luck! There are countless ways to incorporate this delicious fruit into your baking and desserts. Here are some more cherry-centric recipes to inspire your culinary adventures:

No Bake Cherry Dessert (pictured above)
Cherry-Filled Coffee Cake
Chocolate Cherry Brownies
White Chocolate Cherry Cookies
Cherry Cheese Bread

This easy cherry butter recipe is a perfect choice when you’re looking for a delightful alternative to plain butter. It makes a wonderful, eye-catching addition to any weekend brunch table or a special breakfast. Your guests will adore being able to slather this creamy, fruit-flavored spread on bagels, sourdough toast, fluffy waffles, or golden pancakes. So, gather your ingredients and let’s make some today!

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Print Recipe

Whipped Cherry Butter

Your favorite breads and rolls will thank you when they get a slathering of Cherry Butter! So simple to make using softened butter, cherry pie filling and a bit of powdered sugar and almond extract for sweetening. Delightful!

Prep Time: 5 mins

Total Time: 5 mins

Cuisine: American

Keyword: amish compound butter, cherries and butter, cherry butter, cherry butter recipe, cherry butter spread, cherry compound butter, fruit flavored butter, recipe for cherry butter, whipped cherry butter

Servings: 1 pint

Calories: 22 kcal

Author: Michaela Kenkel

Equipment

Whisks for Cooking, 3 Pack Stainless Steel Whisk
KitchenAid Hand Mixer

Ingredients

1 1/2 sticks (12 Tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup cherry pie filling
3 teaspoons powdered sugar
1 teaspoon almond extract

Instructions

Beat butter until fluffy.
Add in almond extract and powdered sugar, and mix thoroughly.
Beat in cherry pie filling.
Serve immediately.

Notes

Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 10 days. Bring it out of the fridge to bring it to room temperature before serving to make it easily spreadable.

Nutrition