Monkey Butter

—

## **Ingredients for Monkey Butter**

– 5 **ripe bananas**, mashed
– 1 can (20 oz) **crushed pineapple**, with juice
– 3/4 cup **granulated sugar**
– 1/4 cup **sweetened shredded coconut**
– 2 tbsp **lemon juice** (helps preserve color and adds tang)
– 1/2 tsp **cinnamon** (optional, but adds warmth)

—

## **How to Make Monkey Butter**

### **Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients**
– **Mash the bananas** until smooth. You can leave some small chunks if you prefer a bit of texture.
– Open the **canned pineapple** and keep the juice—it adds natural sweetness and helps with consistency.

### **Step 2: Cook the Monkey Butter**
1. In a **medium saucepan**, combine the **mashed bananas, crushed pineapple (with juice), sugar, shredded coconut, and lemon juice**.
2. Stir well and place over **medium heat**.
3. Let the mixture come to a gentle **simmer**, stirring frequently.
4. Reduce heat to **low** and let it cook for **20-25 minutes**, stirring occasionally. The mixture should thicken into a jam-like consistency.

### **Step 3: Store and Enjoy**
1. Once thickened, remove from heat and let it **cool slightly**.
2. Transfer to **sterilized jars** and store in the refrigerator for up to **2 weeks**.

—

## **How to Use Monkey Butter**

✔️ **Spread it on toast, biscuits, or bagels**
✔️ **Stir it into yogurt or oatmeal**
✔️ **Use it as a topping for pancakes or waffles**
✔️ **Spoon it over vanilla ice cream**
✔️ **Mix it into smoothies for extra flavor**

—

## **Tips for the Best Monkey Butter**

✔️ **Use Ripe Bananas** – The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your Monkey Butter will be.

✔️ **Keep Stirring** – The mixture can stick to the pan, so stir frequently to prevent burning.

✔️ **Add a Flavor Twist** – Try adding a pinch of **nutmeg**, a splash of **vanilla extract**, or even a drizzle of **honey** for extra depth of flavor.

✔️ **Make it Chunky or Smooth** – If you like a smoother spread, blend the mixture after cooking. For a chunkier version, leave the bananas mashed but not fully pureed.

—

## **Final Thoughts**

**Monkey Butter** is a **fun, easy, and incredibly tasty** spread that brings the flavors of the **tropics** straight to your kitchen. Whether you’re making it for yourself or giving it as a gift, this **sweet banana-pineapple jam** is sure to be a hit.

So grab some bananas and whip up a batch—you’ll wonder why you haven’t tried it sooner! 🍌🥥🍍