How To Make Monkey Butter

Make sure to like Living Green and Frugally on Facebook, Shop at Amazon to help support my site and explore our PINTEREST BOARDS  for innovative ways you can become self-sufficient.

How To Make Monkey Butter

Monkey butter is a sweet, tropical fruit spread made with bananas, pineapple, coconut and sugar. Despite its unusual name, there is no actual butter in the recipe. It gets its creamy, spreadable texture from the cooked bananas.

This easy homemade spread tastes wonderful on toast, warm biscuits, pancakes, waffles and even ice cream. It is also a great way to use up ripe bananas before they become too soft.

What Does Monkey Butter Taste Like?

Monkey butter tastes like a tropical fruit jam. The bananas make it naturally creamy, while the pineapple adds a fresh and slightly tangy flavour. Coconut gives the spread a little texture and makes it taste even more tropical.

It is sweet, fruity and incredibly easy to make using only a few basic ingredients.

Monkey Butter Ingredients

You will need:

• 4 ripe bananas
• 1 can crushed pineapple, approximately 20 ounces or 565g, including the juice
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• ¼ cup shredded or desiccated coconut
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice

How To Make Monkey Butter

Peel the bananas and cut them into small pieces. Place them into a large saucepan and mash them using a fork or potato masher.

Add the crushed pineapple with its juice, sugar, coconut and lemon juice. Stir everything together until well combined.

Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Stir it regularly to prevent the fruit and sugar from sticking to the bottom of the pan.

Once it begins to boil, reduce the heat and allow it to simmer for approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Continue stirring frequently as it cooks.

The bananas will soften and the mixture will gradually become thicker. For a smoother monkey butter, carefully use an immersion blender to blend the mixture. You can also leave it slightly chunky if you prefer more texture.

Remove the saucepan from the heat once the mixture has reached a thick, spreadable consistency. Remember that it will continue to thicken as it cools.

Spoon the warm monkey butter into clean jars or airtight containers. Leave it to cool before adding the lids and placing it in the refrigerator.

How To Serve Monkey Butter

Monkey butter can be enjoyed in many different ways. Try spreading it on:

• Toast or English muffins
• Warm biscuits or scones
• Pancakes and waffles
• Crackers
• Banana bread
• Croissants
• Peanut butter sandwiches

You can also spoon it over porridge, yoghurt, cheesecake or vanilla ice cream. Another delicious idea is to swirl a small amount through plain yoghurt for a quick tropical breakfast.

Helpful Recipe Tips

Use very ripe bananas for the best flavour. Bananas with plenty of brown spots are sweeter and easier to mash.

Keep stirring the mixture as it cooks. Fruit spreads containing sugar can burn easily, especially as they begin to thicken.

If the monkey butter becomes too thick, stir in a small amount of pineapple juice or water. If it seems too thin, continue simmering it for a few more minutes.

The coconut is optional. You can leave it out if you prefer a smoother spread, although it does add a lovely tropical flavour.

You can also add a small pinch of cinnamon or a splash of vanilla extract for a slightly different flavour.

How Long Does Monkey Butter Last?

Store homemade monkey butter in a clean, airtight container in the refrigerator. It should remain fresh for approximately one to two weeks when properly refrigerated.

Always use a clean spoon when removing the spread from the jar. Discard it if you notice mould, fermentation, an unusual smell or any other signs of spoilage.

Monkey butter can also be frozen. Place it into freezer-safe containers, leaving a little space for expansion. Freeze it for up to three months and thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Can You Can Monkey Butter?

Traditional monkey butter recipes are sometimes described as canning recipes. However, bananas are a low-acid fruit, and the finished acidity of homemade recipes can vary.

For safety, this version should be treated as a refrigerator or freezer spread. Do not preserve it using a boiling-water canner unless you are following a laboratory-tested canning recipe from a trusted food-preservation authority.

Easy Homemade Tropical Spread

Monkey butter is a fun alternative to ordinary jam and a delicious way to use ripe bananas. With its combination of banana, pineapple and coconut, every spoonful has a bright tropical flavour.

Make a small batch, store it in the refrigerator and enjoy it on your favourite breakfast foods. Once you have tried monkey butter on warm toast or pancakes, you may find yourself making it every time you have a few ripe bananas to use.