Monkey butter is a super creamy and super sweet spread that brings a bright tropical sunshine flavor straight into your cozy home kitchen. It is a traditional handmade preserve made by slowly cooking soft sweet bananas, juicy crushed pineapples, shredded coconut, and fresh lemon juice together until everything melts into a smooth rich spread. When you cook these lovely fruits together, the natural sugars melt and mix to form a thick velvety texture that tastes like a tropical island vacation in a simple glass jar. This special fruit spread is not real dairy butter at all, but rather a luscious rich fruit jam that gets its funny name because bananas are the main ingredient and monkeys love bananas. Learning how to make and store this spread allows you to save fresh fruit before it spoils while filling your pantry shelves with delicious homemade jars.
People absolutely adore this delicious tropical recipe because it offers a fun and unique twist compared to regular strawberry or grape jams that you buy at the grocery store. The magical combination of ripe bananas and sweet pineapples creates a rich flavor profile that appeals to both young children and adults alike. It is incredibly budget friendly to prepare since you can easily use ripe or overripe bananas that are on sale or sitting on your kitchen counter. Families love spreading this golden mixture over warm toasted bread, fluffy breakfast pancakes, crisp waffles, or even stirring a big spoonful into morning oatmeal. The bright yellow color and wonderful tropical aroma make every morning feel special, which is why people keep coming back to this comforting spread year after year.
You should make this wonderful fruit spread whenever you want to bring a little extra joy, sweetness, and tropical comfort into your daily routine. It is the perfect weekend cooking activity when you have extra ripe bananas on your counter and want to create something delicious that your entire family will enjoy. Making a fresh batch is also an amazing way to create thoughtful handmade gifts for your good friends, friendly neighbors, and loving family members during special holidays or housewarming parties. If you are someone who loves staying fit and active, this homemade spread serves as a wonderful pre workout energy booster because it is packed with healthy natural fruit carbohydrates and essential vitamins. No matter your main reason for making it, opening a clear glass jar of this sweet golden spread will instantly lift your mood and brighten up your day.
Preparing your own batch at home gives you complete control over every single healthy ingredient that goes into your body and your family kitchen. Store bought fruit spreads often contain artificial chemical preservatives, fake food colorings, and excessive amounts of processed refined corn syrup that you simply do not need. When you cook this easy recipe at home, you get to enjoy pure whole fruits, fresh lemon juice, and real wholesome sweetness without any hidden chemical additives. It is a fantastic beginner friendly project for anyone who wants to learn the rewarding art of home food preservation without feeling overwhelmed by complex culinary steps. Once you complete your very first batch, you will feel proud looking at your beautifully filled jars ready to be enjoyed or shared with the people you love most.
Ingredients You Will Need
To make a large delicious batch of homemade tropical spread, gather all of these simple fresh ingredients on your kitchen counter:
- 5 cups of very ripe bananas, peeled and mashed smoothly (about 5 to 6 large bananas)
- 1 can of crushed pineapple in pure juice, un-drained (20 ounces or about 560 grams)
- 1/2 cup of unsweetened finely shredded coconut flakes
- 3 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice (do not use bottled lemon juice for best flavor and correct acid balance)
- 3 cups of white granulated sugar (you can adjust slightly depending on how sweet your bananas are)
- 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract (added near the end of cooking for deep warm aroma)
Step by Step Method
Follow these easy detailed instructions to cook and store your wonderful tropical fruit spread safely and easily:
Step 1: Prepare Your Jars and Equipment
Start by inspecting your glass canning jars to make sure there are no small cracks, chips, or rough sharp edges anywhere on the glass. Wash four or five pint sized glass jars, along with their metal rings and new flat lids, in hot soapy water and rinse them clean with warm water. Place your clean jars into a large canning pot filled with water and bring the water to a gentle warm simmer so your jars stay hot until you are ready to fill them. Keeping your jars hot is very important because pouring boiling hot fruit mixture into cold glass jars can cause the glass to crack or break. Place your flat metal lids in a small bowl of hot water to soften the rubber seals around the edges.
Step 2: Prepare and Mash the Fruits
Take your ripe bananas, peel them carefully, and remove any thin stringy bits from the fruit flesh. Place the peeled bananas into a large bowl and use a clean potato masher or a strong fork to mash them until they are smooth with only tiny soft bits remaining. Measure out exactly five cups of mashed banana to ensure the perfect ratio of ingredients. Open your can of crushed pineapple and keep all the sweet pineapple juice together with the fruit pieces because the liquid is needed for proper cooking. Measure your shredded coconut, measure your fresh lemon juice, and measure your granulated sugar so everything is ready to go.
Step 3: Combine Ingredients in a Large Pot
Choose a heavy bottomed stainless steel pot or Dutch oven that gives your ingredients plenty of room to bubble without splashing over the sides. Transfer your mashed bananas, the entire can of crushed pineapple with its juice, the unsweetened shredded coconut flakes, and the fresh lemon juice directly into the cold pot. Stir these fruit ingredients together thoroughly using a long wooden spoon or heat safe spatula. Next, pour in all of your granulated sugar and mix well until the white sugar dissolves into the fruit mixture and everything looks evenly combined.
Step 4: Cook the Fruit Mixture Slowly
Place your heavy pot onto your stove top burner over medium heat and stir constantly as the mixture warms up. Keep stirring regularly so the sweet sugar does not settle on the bottom of the pot and burn or scorch. Bring the entire pot to a full rolling boil, which means big bubbles are popping continuously even while you are actively stirring the mixture. Once the boiling point is reached, lower your stove heat down to medium low so the mixture continues to cook at a steady gentle simmer.
Step 5: Simmer Until Thick and Golden
Let the fruit spread simmer uncovered for about 20 to 25 minutes, stirring frequently along the bottom and sides of the pot. As the mixture cooks down, the water from the pineapples and bananas will slowly evaporate, turning the bright pale yellow mixture into a thick, glossy, golden amber spread. You will know it is ready when the liquid reduces and a spoonful of spread holds its shape on a cold plate without running around. During the last two minutes of cooking time, stir in your pure vanilla extract so the sweet aroma blends beautifully throughout the pot, then remove the pot completely from the heat burner.
Step 6: Fill Your Hot Glass Jars
Carefully remove one hot jar at a time from your warm canning water using clean jar tongs, draining any leftover water back into the pot. Place a wide mouth canning funnel onto the top of the hot glass jar to prevent messy spills on the rim. Use a kitchen ladle to carefully scoop the hot banana mixture into the hot jar, leaving a one half inch space at the very top of the jar. This empty space at the top is called headspace, and it is crucial because it allows the food to expand slightly during the heating process without breaking the air seal.
Step 7: Remove Air Bubbles and Wipe Rims
Insert a clean wooden skewer or plastic bubble remover tool down into the filled jar along the inside walls, gently pressing the fruit to release any trapped air bubbles. After removing air bubbles, check your headspace and add a tiny bit more warm spread if needed. Take a fresh paper towel dampened with warm water and carefully wipe the top glass rim of each jar clean of any sticky fruit residue or sugar drips. A completely clean rim is essential so that the rubber gasket on the metal lid can press directly onto smooth glass to form a tight seal.
Step 8: Place Lids and Process in Water Bath
Place a warm flat lid centered on top of each cleaned jar rim, then screw a metal band over the lid until it is fingertip tight, which means turned gently until you feel resistance without forcing it too hard. Lower your filled glass jars back into your large canning pot, making sure the jars sit upright on a wire rack so they do not touch the pot bottom directly. Ensure there is at least one to two inches of boiling water completely covering the tops of all jars. Put the lid on the canning pot, bring the water to a full rolling boil, and process the jars in the boiling water for 10 minutes (adjusting time longer if you live at high altitudes).
Step 9: Cool and Test the Seals
When your processing timer finishes, turn off the heat and carefully remove the pot lid away from your face to avoid steam burns. Let the jars rest in the hot water for five minutes, then use jar tongs to gently lift them straight up out of the pot without tilting them. Place the hot jars onto a thick clean towel laid flat on your kitchen counter, leaving an inch of space between each jar. Allow the jars to sit undisturbed for 12 to 24 hours as they cool completely. As they cool, you will hear a sharp popping sound, which tells you the vacuum seal has formed successfully. Press the center of each lid after 24 hours; if the lid is firm and does not flex or pop up and down, your jar is safely sealed.
Why This Recipe Is Special
This homemade tropical spread is extra special because it combines simple affordable pantry ingredients into a luxurious taste experience that you cannot easily buy in standard grocery stores. The natural pectin in the ripe bananas combined with the natural acidity of pineapples and lemon juice creates a rich texture without needing any artificial thickening powders or commercial gelatin chemicals. It offers a wonderful source of quick natural energy, essential potassium, and important dietary fiber that keeps your digestive system happy while satisfying your sweet tooth in a wholesome way. Because you control the full process at home, you can feel confident serving a clean, high quality treat to your loved ones every single day.
Extra Tips for Better Taste
To take your homemade spread to an even higher level of delicious flavor, consider these simple creative kitchen ideas:
- Use bananas that have plenty of dark brown spots on their yellow peels because spotted bananas contain the highest amount of natural sweetness and richest aromatic flavor.
- Toast your shredded coconut in a dry skillet over low heat for three minutes before adding it to the pot to give your spread a warm nutty flavor.
- Add a half teaspoon of ground cinnamon or a pinch of ground nutmeg during the simmer step for a cozy warm spice note during autumn and winter months.
- Stir in two tablespoons of spiced rum or dark rum during the last two minutes of cooking for a sophisticated adult flavor profile that pairs amazingly with aged cheeses.
- If you prefer a completely smooth texture without coconut strands, use a handheld immersion blender to puree the mixture right before filling your jars.
Final Thoughts
Making your own golden tropical spread is a joyful, rewarding kitchen project that fills your home with heavenly sweet aromas and brings happiness to your breakfast table. Whether you spread it thick over warm buttered toast, drizzle it across scoops of vanilla ice cream, or give cozy wrapped jars to dear friends, this traditional treat is sure to become a beloved favorite in your home. Take your time, enjoy every step of the process, and take pride in storing your own delicious handmade jars right in your home pantry.
Nutrition Details
Here is the estimated nutritional breakdown for this delicious sweet spread based on a standard single serving size:
| Nutrient Category | Amount Per Serving (1 Tablespoon) | Amount Per Full Batch |
| Calories | 45 kcal | 2880 kcal |
| Total Fat | 0.3 g | 19.2 g |
| Saturated Fat | 0.2 g | 12.8 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Sodium | 2 mg | 128 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 11.5 g | 736 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.5 g | 32 g |
| Total Sugars | 10 g | 640 g |
| Protein | 0.2 g | 12.8 g |
| Potassium | 42 mg | 2688 mg |
Disclaimer
Please remember that individual nutritional needs, dietary restrictions, and health conditions vary from person to person. The health and nutrition information provided in this article is for general educational and informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical or nutritional advice. Always follow tested and updated home food preservation safety guidelines when canning food at home, and consult with a qualified doctor or clinical dietitian if you have specific questions about how this sweet fruit recipe fits into your personal diet plan.