Yes, maple butter is definitely a real thing! Maple butter, also known as maple cream or spoon butter, is a spread made from maple syrup. It has a creamy, rich texture and an intensely maple flavor that makes it perfect for spreading on toast, pancakes, waffles, biscuits, or eating straight off the spoon.
What is Maple Butter?
Maple butter is made by boiling pure maple syrup until most of the water evaporates, leaving behind the sugar, flavors, and nutrients from the maple sap concentrated into a smooth, creamy spread. This process is similar to making jams or fruit butters.
The end result is a thick, creamy condiment with a texture like softened butter. Unlike actual dairy butter, maple butter is 100% plant-based and vegan. It’s made from just one simple ingredient – maple syrup from maple trees.
How is Maple Butter Made?
Making homemade maple butter is a simple process, though it does require patience as it can take hours for the maple syrup to caramelize and thicken properly. Here are the basic steps:
- Start with 100% pure maple syrup, preferably Grade A Dark Color/Robust Taste syrup, as this has the strongest maple flavor.
- Pour the maple syrup into a heavy bottomed saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Be careful not to boil too vigorously.
- Allow the maple syrup to simmer, maintaining a consistent gentle bubble, and stir frequently with a heat-resistant spatula or wooden spoon.
- After about 1 hour, the syrup will thicken up into a molasses-like consistency as water evaporates off. Continue cooking and stirring for another few hours, adjusting heat as needed to maintain a gentle simmer.
- When done, the maple butter will coat the back of a cool spoon thickly. It will reach a tan caramel color. Remove from heat.
- Allow the maple butter to cool slightly then transfer to a heatproof jar or container. Maple butter keeps for 1-2 months refrigerated.
The most time-consuming part is the long, slow simmer which takes the maple syrup from thin and runny to a thick, rich butter consistency. Cooking time can vary based on factors like the moisture content of the syrup. But in general, expect the process to take 3-5 hours total.
What Does Maple Butter Taste Like?
Maple butter has an incredibly rich maple flavor that is even more pronounced than maple syrup. Since maple butter contains less water and more concentrated maple sugars and flavors, it provides a true maple intensity.
The texture of maple butter is smooth, creamy, and thick. It spreads like soft butter straight from the fridge. Some descriptions of maple butter’s taste include:
- Deep, robust maple flavor
- Very sweet with caramel/brown sugar notes
- Smooth and creamy mouthfeel
- Intense maple aroma
- Buttery, slightly nutty undertones
Maple butter enhances any food it’s paired with. It’s especially good drizzled over pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, yogurt, or ice cream. For a sweet snack, try spreading it onto slices of apple or topping crackers with it.
Nutrition Facts of Maple Butter
Maple butter is primarily composed of the concentrated sugars from maple syrup, so it is very high in sugar. But it also provides some important nutrients, though in small amounts. Here are the basic nutrition facts for 2 tablespoons (32 grams) of maple butter:
| Calories | 218 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0g |
| Carbs | 54g |
| Sugar | 53g |
| Protein | 0g |
| Calcium | 26mg (2% DV) |
| Iron | 1.4mg (8% DV) |
| Potassium | 112mg (2% DV) |
As you can see, maple butter is high in natural sugars. But it provides some minerals like calcium, iron, potassium, and manganese. It has no fat, protein, or fiber. Maple butter is considered vegan and gluten-free.
Maple Butter vs. Honey Butter vs. Apple Butter
Maple butter is often confused with other fruit or sweet spreads like honey butter and apple butter. Here’s how maple butter compares to these other tasty condiments:
Maple Butter vs. Honey Butter
- Honey butter is made by creaming honey into softened butter, while maple butter contains no dairy.
- Maple butter has a more pronounced maple flavor, while honey butter tastes like butter infused with mild floral honey.
- Honey butter has a softer spreadable texture from the dairy butter base. Maple butter is thicker.
- Maple butter is vegan. Honey butter contains dairy.
Maple Butter vs. Apple Butter
- Apple butter is made by cooking down applesauce or apple pulp until thick and creamy. Maple butter uses only maple syrup as the base.
- Apple butter often contains warm spices like cinnamon, allspice, cloves. Maple butter highlights pure maple flavor.
- Maple butter has a higher sugar content. Apple butter has more fiber from the fruit.
- Apple butter can be chunky. Maple butter is completely smooth.
How to Use Maple Butter
Maple butter is a versatile condiment that can add flavor, texture, and visual appeal to all kinds of sweet and savory foods. Here are some delicious ways to use maple butter:
On Pancakes, Waffles & French Toast
Maple butter is delicious drizzled over a short stack of pancakes or waffles. Use it in place of regular butter for a strong maple flavor punch. Also great on top of French toast.
In Oatmeal & Yogurt
Stir maple butter into a bowl of oatmeal to add sweetness and moisture. You can also swirl it into yogurt like a fruit jam.
With Baked Goods
Maple butter can be used to top muffins, scones, biscuits, donuts, coffee cakes, etc. For a really decadent treat, stuff pastries or fill donuts with a dollop of maple butter.
As a Fruit Dip
Sliced apples, pears, and bananas are all amazing when dipped into maple butter. Kids love maple butter served alongside apple slices.
In Smoothies
Add a spoonful of maple butter into your favorite smoothie recipe for extra richness and maple flavor. Goes well with banana, almond milk, pecan, or vanilla smoothies.
In Coffee or Tea
Maple butter swirled into a cup of hot coffee gives a sweet maple flavor hit. You can also melt it into tea as a flavor enhancer.
In Baking Recipes
Use maple butter in place of other fats when baking muffins, quick breads, scones, cookies, or cakes. Or add as a filling or topping.
As a Grilling Glaze
Brush maple butter over chicken, pork, salmon, shrimp, or tofu before grilling for a caramelized maple glaze. It’s also great on grilled fruit.
With Cheese & Crackers
Pair a quality cheese with crackers or apple slices topped with maple butter for an easy appetizer.
Where to Buy Maple Butter
You can find maple butter in most grocery stores, especially during autumn when maple flavors are popular. Check the jams, jellies, and nut butters section. Smaller artisanal food shops or farmers markets are also a good source. Or you can easily make your own homemade maple butter.
Some popular brands to look for include:
- American Spoon Foods
- Anderson’s Maple Syrup
- Shady Maple Farms
- Turkey Hill
- Fat Toad Farm
- Maple Grove Farms
When purchasing, read the label to be sure you’re getting 100% pure maple butter. It should contain just one ingredient – maple syrup. Some mass produced versions add thickeners, preservatives, or other artificial ingredients.
How to Store Maple Butter
Unopened maple butter will keep for about 1 year in the pantry before opening. Once opened, it’s best kept refrigerated. There it will stay fresh for a good 1-2 months. The fridge prevents mold growth and crystallization.
Make sure maple butter is tightly sealed when storing it. If it starts drying out, thinning, or growing mold, it’s time to discard.
Maple butter can also be frozen for longer storage. It will keep for 4-6 months in the freezer before quality deteriorates. Let thaw overnight in the fridge before using.
Interesting Facts About Maple Butter
Here are some fun trivia tidbits about maple butter:
- Maple butter has been produced in North America since the 1700s when maple sugaring first started.
- It takes about 40 gallons of maple sap to produce 1 gallon of maple syrup, which in turn makes about 1 pint jar of maple butter.
- Other names for maple butter include maple cream and spoon butter.
- Traditionally it was made by leaving maple syrup outside in the cold during winter. The syrup would separate into maple sugar sand and maple butter.
- Maple butter is a traditional accompaniment to Native American and Canadian Indigenous dishes like bannock bread.
- It’s considered a heritage food and is part of the history of New England and Eastern Canada.
- Maple butter can be produced at any grade, but the Grade A Dark Color with Robust Taste has the strongest maple flavor that’s best for maple butter.
- Maple butter was valued for its portability and long shelf life. Pioneers and voyageurs would carry it on long journeys as a nourishing foodstuff.
Conclusion
Maple butter may sound unusual to the uninitiated, but it’s a delicious maple condiment with a long history in North America. This rich, creamy spread is made simply by boiling down pure maple syrup into a luscious maple concentrate. The result highlights the incredible flavor and aroma of the maple tree.
Maple butter makes a great topping for anything from pancakes to fruit to oatmeal. It delivers big maple taste in every bite. Next time you see maple butter in the store, grab jar of this sweet treat and experience maple perfection.