Monkey Jam Recipe

Homemade Monkey Jam Recipe: Whimsical Sweet Treat for All

Crafting a delightful monkey jam brings unexpected joy to weekend cooking adventures.

Sweet tropical flavors dance through each spoonful of this unique spread.

Local markets often stock perfect bananas and passion fruits for authentic ingredients.

Curious cooks appreciate how simple techniques transform ordinary fruits into extraordinary preserves.

Small kitchen experiments can yield remarkable culinary discoveries with minimal effort.

Blending ripe fruits creates magical combinations that surprise and delight your taste buds.

Get excited about mastering this playful recipe that promises delicious homemade goodness.

Monkey Jam Fruit Mix Ideas

  • Tropical Twist: Replace lime juice with fresh orange juice for a brighter, more vibrant citrus flavor. Add shredded coconut during cooking for extra tropical notes.
  • Spiced Banana Spread: Swap cinnamon with ginger and cardamom for a warming, aromatic variation. Mix in chopped pecans for additional texture and nutty complexity.
  • Low-Sugar Option: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia instead of granulated and brown sugars. Include chia seeds while cooking to naturally thicken the jam without extra sugar.
  • Vegan Friendly Version: Substitute traditional sugars with pure maple syrup or coconut sugar. Ensure all ingredients are plant-based and use organic bananas for enhanced natural sweetness.

FAQs

  • Why use lime juice when preparing bananas?

Lime juice prevents bananas from turning brown and oxidizing, keeping the jam looking fresh and appetizing.

  • Can I use different types of sugar?

Yes, you can substitute granulated and brown sugar with coconut sugar or raw sugar, but the flavor and texture might slightly change.

  • How do I know when the jam is properly cooked?

The jam is ready when it thickens and becomes less runny, and when you can draw a line through the mixture with a spoon that doesn’t immediately fill back in.

  • Is it necessary to mash the bananas while cooking?

Mashing helps create a smoother consistency and allows the bananas to break down more easily, creating a more cohesive jam texture.

Monkey Jam That’s Fruity, Fun, and Kid-Friendly

  • Minimal Effort Delight: Whip up this delicious banana jam with just a few simple ingredients and basic cooking skills, making it ideal for novice and experienced home cooks.
  • Time-Saving Treat: Prepare the entire recipe in under an hour, transforming ripe bananas into a delectable spread that saves you money and reduces food waste.
  • Versatile Flavor Bomb: Elevate breakfast toast, pancakes, yogurt, and desserts with this homemade jam that brings warmth and comfort to any meal.
  • Family-Friendly Creation: Kids will love helping mash bananas and watch the transformation, turning cooking into a fun, engaging family activity that creates delicious memories.

Monkey Jam Ingredients at a Glance

Fruits:
  • Bananas: Sweet, ripe fruit base for the jam, choose yellow bananas with some brown spots for best flavor.
  • Lime: Adds brightness and prevents banana browning, fresh lime works best.
Sugars and Sweeteners:
  • Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provide sweetness and help create jam consistency, light or dark brown sugar acceptable.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Vanilla: Adds warm, deep flavor, pure vanilla extract recommended over artificial.
  • Cinnamon: Provides warm, spicy undertone, ground cinnamon works best.
Liquid:
  • Water: Helps dissolve sugars and create initial jam liquid, filtered water preferred.

Monkey Jam Recipe Steps with Fruity Goodness

Step 1: Slice Ripe Bananas

Select perfectly yellow bananas without brown spots.

Chop them into small chunks using a sharp knife.

Splash fresh lime juice over the banana pieces to keep them from turning brown and add a tangy flavor.

Step 2: Create Sweet Liquid Base

Grab a medium saucepan and combine:
  • Granulated sugar
  • Brown sugar
  • Water

Heat the mixture over medium-high temperature, stirring until all sugar crystals completely dissolve.

Watch for a gentle bubbling effect.

Step 3: Transform Bananas into Delicious Spread

Pour chopped bananas into the sugar liquid.

Add:
  • Vanilla extract
  • Ground cinnamon

Reduce heat to low.

Simmer the mixture, stirring occasionally and gently mashing bananas as they soften.

The bananas will break down and blend with the sugary syrup.

Step 4: Develop Thick Consistency

Continue cooking, stirring frequently to prevent burning.

The mixture will gradually thicken and reduce.

Watch for a jam-like texture that coats the back of a wooden spoon.

Step 5: Preserve Monkey Jam

Carefully transfer the hot jam into a clean glass jar.

Allow it to cool completely at room temperature.

The jam will continue to thicken as it chills in the refrigerator.

Enjoy within two weeks for maximum freshness.

Homemade Jam Tips for Playful Monkey Fruit Flavors

  • Lime juice acts as a natural preservative for bananas, keeping them fresh and preventing unsightly discoloration during cooking.
  • Gently mash bananas while simmering to create a smoother, more consistent jam texture that spreads beautifully.
  • Adjust sugar quantities based on banana ripeness and personal sweetness preference for a customized jam experience.
  • Use this monkey jam as a spread on toast, swirl into yogurt, top pancakes, or blend into smoothies for extra flavor.
  • Store jam in sterilized glass jars and consume within 7-10 days when refrigerated to maintain optimal taste and quality.

Store Monkey Jam Properly

  • Store monkey jam in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, ensuring freshness and preventing spoilage.
  • Pour cooled jam into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space at the top, and freeze for up to 3 months for longer preservation.
  • Gently warm the jam in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally to restore its smooth consistency, or microwave in short 15-second intervals.
  • Remove jam from refrigerator 10 minutes before serving to soften slightly, making it easier to spread on toast, pancakes, or use in baking recipes.

Breads or Fruit to Serve with Monkey Jam

  • Elevate Banana Bliss Pairings
  • Spread creamy banana jam on warm, buttery brioche toast for a decadent breakfast treat.
  • Complement the sweet, spiced jam with a steaming mug of chai latte or cinnamon-infused coffee.
  • Create a gourmet cheese board by pairing the jam with sharp aged cheddar or creamy mascarpone.
  • Drizzle over vanilla bean ice cream for a luxurious dessert that marries warm and cold textures.
Print
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Monkey Jam Recipe

Monkey Jam Recipe


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4.7 from 15 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 20 1x

Description

Playful monkey jam dances with tropical sweetness, blending ripe bananas and zesty spices into a luscious spread. Bold flavors bring Caribbean spirit to morning toast, inviting you to savor each delightful spoonful.


Ingredients

Scale

Fruits:

  • 34 large ripe bananas

Sweeteners:

  • 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup (100 grams) brown sugar

Liquids and Spices:

  • 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) water
  • 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon (5 grams) cinnamon
  • Juice of 1 lime (approximately 2 tablespoons or 30 milliliters)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the foundational fruit by dicing ripe bananas into a mixing vessel, then splash with zesty lime essence to halt oxidation and maintain pristine golden hues.
  2. Construct a liquid sugar base in a medium saucepan by blending granulated and brown sugars with pure water, gently coaxing the crystals to dissolve over medium-high thermal intensity until a soft, bubbling transformation occurs.
  3. Introduce the prepared banana fragments alongside aromatic vanilla and warming cinnamon into the simmering syrup landscape, reducing thermal energy to a gentle whisper and allowing the mixture to transform gradually.
  4. Tenderly manipulate the fruit with a wooden implement, gradually crushing and melding the bananas into a cohesive, luxurious texture while maintaining a constant, soft thermal embrace.
  5. Monitor the evolving concoction, stirring with deliberate frequency to prevent unwelcome adhesion, observing the progressive thickening until the mixture achieves a luxurious, non-liquid consistency.
  6. Carefully decant the molten creation into a sterile glass receptacle, permitting natural cooling at ambient temperature before transferring to refrigerated sanctuary, where additional densification will naturally occur.

Notes

  • Add a splash of lime juice immediately after chopping to keep bananas fresh and vibrant, stopping oxidation quickly.
  • Adjust sugar levels by reducing granulated or brown sugar for a less sweet jam, perfect for those watching sugar intake.
  • Mash bananas more for a smoother consistency or leave chunkier for a rustic, homemade feel that adds delightful banana texture.
  • Keep jam refrigerated in an airtight container for up to one week, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor preservation.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 20
  • Calories: 80
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 1 mg
  • Fat: 0 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 21 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 1 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
James Walker

James Walker

Lead Recipe Developer & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Southern Cuisine & Farm-to-Table Cooking, Recipe Development & Testing, Culinary Education & Instruction​

Education

School: Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations

Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern culinary techniques, kitchen operations, and farm-to-table practices. ​


James didn’t learn cooking from a TV show, he learned it from busy kitchens, family gatherings, and long afternoons spent testing recipes the hard way.
After training at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, he brought his love for real, down-to-earth food to every dish he makes.
At Dining At Home, James loves building recipes that feel familiar but still have something special, like adding a twist to a classic or making a slow Sunday dinner feel brand new.
When he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll probably find him swapping garden tips at the farmers’ market or teaching his daughter how to flip pancakes without a mess (almost).

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