Get ready to indulge in a truly tropical delight with this incredible Monkey Butter! This sweet, luscious spread is a heavenly blend of ripe bananas, tangy crushed pineapple, and unsweetened coconut, all simmered down to a thick, jam-like consistency. It’s incredibly easy to make and versatile enough to be spread on toast, drizzled over ice cream, or simply enjoyed by the spoonful. Prepare for a taste of sunshine in every bite!
Why I Love This Recipe
This Monkey Butter recipe is pure joy in a jar. What I love most is how it transforms simple, wholesome ingredients into something so incredibly flavorful and addictive. The natural sweetness of the ripe bananas combined with the bright tang of pineapple creates a vibrant taste, while the coconut adds a wonderful tropical aroma and subtle texture. It’s remarkably easy to prepare, requiring just one pan and a bit of simmering, making it a fantastic way to use up ripe bananas beyond just banana bread. It’s versatile, stores beautifully, and brings a little bit of tropical paradise to any meal.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create this delightful Monkey Butter:
- 4 perfectly ripe bananas, no spots (or just a few)
- 14 oz can of crushed pineapple, with juice
- 2 cups white sugar
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened grated coconut
- 3 tablespoons bottled lemon juice
Swaps and Notes
- Bananas: Use ripe bananas, but avoid those that are overly brown and mushy (save those for banana bread!). “Perfectly ripe” here means yellow with perhaps a few small brown spots, as they offer the best balance of sweetness and firmness for slicing.
- Crushed Pineapple: The juice from the can is essential for this recipe, so don’t drain it!
- Sugar: White sugar is standard, but you can experiment with light brown sugar for a slightly deeper, caramel-like flavor. Adjust to your sweetness preference.
- Unsweetened Grated Coconut: Unsweetened is key to control the overall sweetness of the butter. You can use desiccated coconut or shredded coconut.
- Lemon Juice: Bottled lemon juice is fine here, providing necessary acidity to balance the sweetness and act as a natural preservative. Fresh lemon juice can also be used.
- Optional Additions: A pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or a tiny dash of vanilla extract could complement the flavors.
Directions
Let’s get cooking this sweet, fruity, and absolutely delightful Monkey Butter!
- Prepare Bananas: Start by slicing those 4 perfectly ripe bananas into thin rounds. You want them nice and manageable, as they will break down during cooking.
- Combine All Ingredients in Pan: In a large nonstick pan or Dutch oven, toss in all the ingredients: the sliced bananas, the entire 14 oz can of crushed pineapple with its juice, the 2 cups of white sugar, 3 tablespoons of unsweetened grated coconut, and 3 tablespoons of bottled lemon juice.
- Bring to a Boil: Crank up the heat to medium-high and bring everything in the pan to a rolling boil. Make sure to stir often during this stage to prevent any sticking to the bottom of the pan and to ensure the sugar dissolves.
- Simmer and Thicken: Once it’s bubbling away at a rolling boil, reduce the heat to low. Let the mixture simmer gently. Continue stirring frequently, using your spoon to help break down the banana slices, until the bananas have fully broken down and the entire mixture thickens slightly to a jam-like consistency. This may take 20-30 minutes or more, depending on your heat and the moisture content of your fruit. The mixture should coat the back of a spoon.
- Serve Warm: The fun part! Serve your Monkey Butter warm. It’s absolutely divine spooned generously over ice cream, or spread on hot toast, pancakes, or waffles.
- Store Leftovers: Have leftovers? No problem! Once cooled, transfer the Monkey Butter to clean, airtight jars or containers. Store it in the refrigerator for 4 to 6 weeks (if it lasts that long!). Ensure the containers are sealed well.
Tips for Success
- Use Ripe Bananas: While “no spots” is listed, bananas that are just starting to show a few brown specks are ideal, as they are sweet but still firm enough to handle. Very green bananas won’t be sweet enough, and overly mushy ones can make the texture too watery.
- Stir Constantly When Boiling: This prevents scorching, especially once the sugar dissolves.
- Low and Slow Simmer: Once boiling, reduce to low and let it simmer. Patience is key for the bananas to break down and the mixture to thicken properly.
- Test for Thickness: To check for readiness, spoon a small amount onto a cold plate and let it cool for a minute. It should thicken more as it cools.
- Sterilize Jars (Optional): If you plan to store for the full 4-6 weeks, consider sterilizing your jars for better longevity, though the sugar and lemon juice act as good preservatives.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
Monkey Butter is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in so many delicious ways:
- Breakfast Spreads: Spread generously on toast, English muffins, bagels, or biscuits.
- Pancake & Waffle Topping: Drizzle warm over pancakes, waffles, or French toast.
- Dessert Topping: Fantastic over vanilla ice cream, plain yogurt, or even cheesecake.
- Baking Ingredient: Swirl into muffins or quick breads for added fruit flavor.
- If you’re a banana lover, you’ll also adore our Chocolate Chip Banana Bread or the ultimate crowd-pleaser, This Big Family Banana Pudding Is My Favorite Classic Dessert to Feed a Crowd.
Storage and Leftover Tips
This Monkey Butter is fantastic for making ahead and storing for future enjoyment.
- Refrigeration: As stated, once cooled and transferred to clean, airtight jars or containers, it will last for 4 to 6 weeks in the refrigerator. The high sugar and acid content act as preservatives.
- Freezing: You can freeze Monkey Butter for longer storage (up to 3-4 months). Store in freezer-safe containers, leaving about 1/2 inch headspace. Thaw in the refrigerator before use. The texture might change slightly, becoming a bit softer, but the flavor will remain.
- Reheating: To enjoy warm, gently heat portions in the microwave or a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally.
More Recipes You Will Love
If you loved the sweet, fruity, and easy-to-make nature of this Monkey Butter, you’ll definitely want to explore some of our other delightful dessert and treat recipes:
- For another classic no-bake dessert that feeds a crowd, check out This Big Family Banana Pudding Is My Favorite Classic Dessert to Feed a Crowd.
- If you’re a fan of no-bake treats that are quick and easy, our These Old-School No-Bake Cookies Never Fail Me and I’ve Made Them 100 Times are a must-try!
- And for a truly fun, magical, and colorful dessert that’s always a hit with kids, don’t miss This Unicorn Poop Bark Is The Magical Treat That’s Always a Hit with Kids!
- Finally, for another irresistible baked good featuring bananas, you can’t go wrong with This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Is My Favorite Way to Use Up Overripe Bananas.
Final Thoughts
This Monkey Butter recipe is a fantastic way to capture the sunny flavors of tropical fruits in a delicious, versatile spread. It’s easy to make, stores wonderfully, and brings a vibrant, sweet twist to countless dishes. Whether you’re a seasoned preserver or new to making your own spreads, this recipe is a simple win!
Give this tropical treat a try and prepare to fall in love! How will you enjoy your Monkey Butter first? Share your ideas in the comments below! And for more amazing, easy-to-follow recipes that bring joy to your kitchen, be sure to visit Chefmaniac.com. Happy spreading!
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