This smooth creamy Trader Joes Maple Butter Recipe is made with pure maple syrup and ready in 45 minutes. The magic happens when the cooled syrup is continuously stirred until it suddenly turns thick and opaque. I love keeping a small jar of this in my fridge for weekend breakfasts.
What I Learned Making This
I used to think maple butter contained actual dairy butter, but I quickly realized it is just pure whipped syrup. Boiling the liquid to the exact temperature is absolutely crucial for success.
If you try to rush the cooling process, the sugar crystals will not form correctly. I ruined my first batch by stirring too soon, so patience is definitely your best friend here.
Jump to RecipeTrader Joes Maple Butter Recipe Ingredients
- 2 cups 100% pure maple syrup (Grade A Dark or Amber)
- 1/4 teaspoon neutral oil (optional, to prevent boiling over)
How To Make Trader Joes Maple Butter Recipe
- Boil The Syrup: Pour the maple syrup into a large, deep saucepan. Heat over medium-high heat until it reaches exactly 235°F on a candy thermometer.
- Cool The Syrup: Carefully transfer the hot syrup to a heat-safe bowl. Do not stir it. Let it cool untouched until the temperature drops to 100°F, taking about 20 minutes.
- Stir To Cream: Once cooled, use a sturdy wooden spoon to stir the syrup continuously. Keep stirring vigorously for about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Watch For The Change: The syrup will slowly lose its gloss and suddenly turn opaque, thick, and creamy. Immediately transfer it to a glass jar.
Recipe Tips
- Use a large pot: Maple syrup bubbles up significantly when boiling, so a deep pan prevents a messy stove spill.
- Do not stir while cooling: Stirring hot syrup will cause premature crystallization and a gritty final texture.
- Trust the thermometer: Guessing the temperature rarely works for candy making, so use a calibrated digital thermometer for accuracy.
What To Serve With Maple Butter
This rich spread is incredible on warm buttermilk pancakes, waffles, or a simple piece of sourdough toast. You can also drizzle it over oatmeal or use it to glaze roasted sweet potatoes.
How To Store
Keep your maple butter in an airtight glass jar in the refrigerator for up to three months. If liquid begins to separate at the top over time, simply stir it back together before using.
FAQs
- Why is my maple butter gritty? Grittiness happens if the syrup was stirred while cooling or not boiled to the correct temperature. Always wait until it hits 100°F to start stirring.
- Can I use pancake syrup instead? No, artificial pancake syrups contain corn syrup and water, which will not crystallize. You must use 100% pure maple syrup.
- Does maple butter contain dairy? Despite the name, traditional maple butter contains no dairy. It gets its buttery texture entirely from whipped sugar crystals.
- Why did my syrup turn into a hard block? It was likely boiled past 235°F. You can try reheating it slowly with a splash of water, but it is very hard to fix.
Nutrition
- Calories: 105 kcal
- Total Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Sodium: 2 mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 27 g
- Protein: 0 g
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Trader Joes Maple Butter Recipe
16
servings5
minutes40
minutes45
minutesTrader Joes Maple Butter Recipe is a smooth, creamy spread made with pure maple syrup in 45 minutes. Perfect for lazy weekend breakfasts, this magical one-ingredient treat transforms into a rich topping for hot pancakes, fresh waffles, and warm toast.
Ingredients
2 cups 100% pure maple syrup (Grade A Dark or Amber)
1/4 teaspoon neutral oil (optional, to prevent boiling over)
Directions
- 1. Boil The Syrup: Pour the maple syrup into a large, deep saucepan. Heat over medium-high heat until it reaches exactly 235°F on a candy thermometer.
- 2. Cool The Syrup: Carefully transfer the hot syrup to a heat-safe bowl. Do not stir it. Let it cool untouched until the temperature drops to 100°F, taking about 20 minutes.
- 3. Stir To Cream: Once cooled, use a sturdy wooden spoon to stir the syrup continuously. Keep stirring vigorously for about 15 to 20 minutes.
- 4. Watch For The Change: The syrup will slowly lose its gloss and suddenly turn opaque, thick, and creamy. Immediately transfer it to a glass jar.
