What is maple butter and how do you use it?

Maple butter is not what it might seem. It contains no butter or cream. In fact, it contains no dairy of any kind.

So, if maple butter isn’t a dairy product, what is it?

Maple butter contains a single ingredient: pure maple syrup. This means it is also free from nuts and gluten, making it an alternative to spreads such as peanut butter for those with dietary restrictions.

This article explains how maple butter is made, discussing its characteristics and production process. We also offer some suggestions on how to use this versatile, nutrient-rich, antioxidant-packed spread.

What is maple butter?

Maple butter is sometimes referred to as maple cream. It is pure maple syrup that has been whipped or continuously stirred to transform its consistency.

Maple butter contains nothing more than 100% pure maple syrup. No additives or preservatives are added, and the product is completely dairy-free.

The easiest way to describe maple butter is this: 100% maple syrup in a new form.

Its texture is silky and rich. In terms of consistency, it falls somewhere between a soft spread and a creamy frosting. The taste is the same as that of maple syrup in liquid form: sweet yet subtle, with the distinctive notes of the particular variety.

Aside from its texture and taste, maple butter is a popular plant-based alternative to nut butters and dairy-based spreads, especially for families with multiple dietary needs.

How is maple butter made?

The production process for maple butter is straightforward. Pure maple syrup is simply heated and then cooled to a precise temperature. It can then be stirred or whipped until the desired consistency is achieved.

At a deeper level, this process involves the controlled formation of sugar crystals in the syrup. It creates a fine-grained, uniform texture that holds its form at room temperature.

It’s worth reiterating that no fat, thickeners or other ingredients are added at any point. The transformation from syrup to butter is entirely the result of temperature and movement.

Once opened, maple butter should be kept refrigerated. If separation occurs over time, a quick stir is all it takes to restore its buttery texture.

How to use maple butter

Now that you know exactly what maple butter is and how it is made, how about some tips on using it?

Maple butter is an ideal accompaniment to the following snacks and meals:

Toast and bread

If you have a sweet tooth, there might be nothing better than maple butter on toast. Even devotees of chocolate spread and peanut butter can be won over by the glossy, caramel-like layer created by this natural product. And it’s not restricted to toast. Sourdough, wholegrain breads and pastries all pair well with a quick spread of maple butter.

Pancakes and waffles

It’s a classic combination appreciated the world over: a drizzle of maple syrup over pancakes and waffles. But rather than reaching for the syrup jug, try spreading maple butter directly onto a warm stack of pancakes or waffles. Maple butter clings to the surface better than syrup, rather than running off, delivering a more concentrated burst of flavour.

Porridge or oats

Stirring a spoonful of maple butter into porridge or oats, rather than drizzling syrup over them, creates a subtle difference in taste and texture. You’ll find that it dissolves smoothly into warm oats without clumping.

Cakes

Maple butter can be used as a filling or frosting for cakes and cupcakes. It works especially well in baked goods with vanilla, almond or warm-spice flavour profiles. Maple butter can also be used as a binding ingredient in place of nut butter, or stirred through fruit pie fillings to add an extra layer of sweetness and complexity.

Coffee

Stir a teaspoonful into your morning coffee or latte. It’s a natural replacement for sugar or artificial sweeteners, offering a complex flavour profile and a more rounded taste.