Description
This delightful blueberry spice butter is an exquisite blend of sweet and tangy flavors, coupled with a comforting spiciness that elevates it above the ordinary fruit preserve. Perfect for slathering on toast, dolloping onto muffins, or using as a decadent filling for pastries, this butter is crafted in your slow cooker, ensuring a deep and engaging infusion of flavors. The slow cooking process allows the natural essences of the blueberries and spices to meld beautifully, creating a spread that’s both gourmet and comforting.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs blueberries, fresh or frozen
- 1 1/4 cups brown sugar
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp allspice
Step-by-step Directions
1. Prepare the Blueberries
Place the blueberries in the slow cooker and set it to high for 90 minutes, allowing the berries to cook down and release their juices.
2. Cook Down Further
After the initial 90 minutes, remove the lid and set the cooker to low, letting the berries simmer for an additional 30 minutes. This helps in reducing the moisture.
3. Puree the Blueberries
Use a hand blender to puree the blueberries directly in the slow cooker. Alternatively, carefully transfer them to a blender, puree them, and then pour the mixture back into the cooker.
4. Allow Steam to Escape
Cover the slow cooker with the lid slightly ajar. This setup allows some steam to escape, preventing condensation from watering down the butter. Continue cooking on low for 3 hours, stirring every hour to ensure even cooking and flavor distribution.
5. Add Sugar and Spices
Stir in the brown sugar, nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon, and lemon juice until everything is thoroughly combined. The spices will immediately begin to perfume the blueberry mixture with their warm, inviting aromas.
6. Thicken the Butter
Replace the lid, leaving a small gap to allow steam to escape, and continue cooking for an additional hour. This final hour helps thicken the blueberry butter to your desired consistency.
Servings & Preparation Time
This recipe yields approximately 4 cups of blueberry butter. Preparation time is about 15 minutes, with a cooking time of approximately 6 hours on a slow cooker setting.
Tips for Storage & Reheating
- Storage: Transfer the blueberry butter into clean jars and allow it to cool completely before sealing with lids. Refrigerate and consume within 7-10 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, blueberry butter can be frozen. Pack the butter in airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags and freeze for up to 1 year. Thaw in the refrigerator before use.
- Reheating: If the butter thickens too much upon refrigeration, gently warm it in a small saucepan over low heat to restore its spreadable consistency.
Conclusion
The blueberry spice butter is not just a treat for the taste buds but also a versatile addition to your culinary repertoire. It embodies the freshness of blueberries with a hint of warm spices, making it an ideal homemade spread that captures the essence of comfort food. Whether used in simple breakfast toast or as an inventive twist in desserts, this blueberry spice butter is sure to delight and impress.
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Blueberry Spice Butter
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 cups 1x
Description
This delightful blueberry spice butter is an exquisite blend of sweet and tangy flavors, coupled with a comforting spiciness that elevates it above the ordinary fruit preserve. Perfect for slathering on toast, dolloping onto muffins, or using as a decadent filling for pastries, this butter is crafted in your slow cooker, ensuring a deep and engaging infusion of flavors. The slow cooking process allows the natural essences of the blueberries and spices to meld beautifully, creating a spread that’s both gourmet and comforting.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs blueberries, fresh or frozen
- 1 1/4 cups brown sugar
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp allspice
Instructions
- Prepare the Blueberries: Place the blueberries in the slow cooker and set it to high for 90 minutes, allowing the berries to cook down and release their juices.
- Cook Down Further: After the initial 90 minutes, remove the lid and set the cooker to low, letting the berries simmer for an additional 30 minutes. This helps in reducing the moisture.
- Puree the Blueberries: Use a hand blender to puree the blueberries directly in the slow cooker. Alternatively, carefully transfer them to a blender, puree them, and then pour the mixture back into the cooker.
- Allow Steam to Escape: Cover the slow cooker with the lid slightly ajar. This setup allows some steam to escape, preventing condensation from watering down the butter. Continue cooking on low for 3 hours, stirring every hour to ensure even cooking and flavor distribution.
- Add Sugar and Spices: Stir in the brown sugar, nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon, and lemon juice until everything is thoroughly combined. The spices will immediately begin to perfume the blueberry mixture with their warm, inviting aromas.
- Thicken the Butter: Replace the lid, leaving a small gap to allow steam to escape, and continue cooking for an additional hour. This final hour helps thicken the blueberry butter to your desired consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
Nutrition
- Calories: N/A