Persimmon Butter
🍯 Persimmon Butter That’s Smooth, Spiced, and Spreadable
Persimmon Butter is one of the most elegant ways to preserve the flavor of fall. Rich, naturally sweet, and lightly spiced, it spreads like velvet and pairs beautifully with both sweet and savory dishes. At Dee’s Nutz and Berries in Brodhead, WI, we’re preparing for our first American persimmon harvest in 2028, and we couldn’t be more excited to share this farm-inspired favorite with you.
Until then, we invite you to visit our event page and explore how we’re celebrating seasonal fruits through farm tours, U-pick previews, and recipe showcases. And if you’d like to be notified when this recipe becomes available as a jarred product, don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter see the form below.
🥄 What Makes This Persimmon Butter Special
Not all fruit butters are created equal. What sets this persimmon butter recipe apart is its delicate sweetness, creamy texture, and the subtle warming spice that makes it feel like fall in a jar. Because persimmons are naturally high in sugar and low in acid, they lend themselves beautifully to slow cooking and preserving — no heavy sweeteners required.
This butter uses a combination of apple cider and maple syrup to coax out flavor without overpowering the fruit. It’s luxurious, simple, and versatile.
🍯 Persimmon Butter: Sweet, Spreadable, and Utterly Elegant
This Persimmon Butter is smooth, spiced, and deeply fragrant — a spoonable celebration of late autumn. Spread it on warm sourdough, swirl it into oatmeal, or plate it with artisan cheeses and roasted nuts for an upscale farm-to-table experience.
Unlike apple butter, this version uses the natural sweetness and custard-like texture of ripe persimmons to create a luxurious preserve that’s less tart and more velvety — a soft spoonful of gold.
🍊 Ingredients
- 3 cups fully ripe persimmon pulp (strained if needed)
- ½ cup apple cider (or orange juice for citrus warmth)
- ¼ cup maple syrup or honey
- 2 tbsp brown sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ⅛ tsp salt
- Optional: pinch of cloves or cardamom for depth
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (added at the end for brightness)
🥄 Instructions
- Combine persimmon pulp, cider, sweeteners, and spices in a heavy-bottomed saucepan.
- Simmer gently over low heat, stirring often to prevent sticking. Let it reduce for 45–60 minutes until thickened and glossy.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or spice if needed.
- Stir in lemon juice during the final few minutes of cooking.
- Once cooled slightly, blend with an immersion blender or in a food processor for ultra-smooth texture (optional, but highly recommended).
- Store in a sterilized jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or water-bath can for long-term storage.
🍁 From the Orchard Tip
🌿 Tips for Choosing the Right Persimmons
Before you get started, it’s important to know what type of persimmon you’re using:
- Astringent persimmons (like American or Hachiya) must be fully ripe and soft — the flesh should feel like pudding. If used underripe, they will leave a bitter, drying sensation on the tongue.
- Non-astringent persimmons (like Fuyu) can be used when slightly firm, though waiting until they soften will yield a smoother butter.
Whichever variety you use, make sure the pulp is clean, sweet, and strained if needed.
🍽️ How to Use Persimmon Butter: Pairings & Serving Ideas
Wondering what to do with your finished persimmon butter? Here are some of our favorite ideas:
- Spread on warm sourdough or cornbread
- Swirled into Greek yogurt or oatmeal
- Topped on pancakes, waffles, or French toast
- Served with roasted meats or glazed carrots
- Used as a filling for thumbprint cookies or rustic hand pies
- Paired with cheeses like brie, goat cheese, or aged cheddar
For a gourmet twist, try finishing it with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar or a few spoonfuls of finely chopped candied ginger.
🤝 Supporting Fruit Growers & Co-ops
We believe in honoring heritage fruit and supporting the growers who preserve it. If you’re curious about how cooperatives are working to bring native fruits like persimmons into more kitchens, we recommend exploring USDA’s Cooperative Services resources.
More to Savor from the Orchard
- Education & Research
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- Preserving & Storage
- Recipes
- Sustainable Farm Living
- Wellness & Herbal Remedies
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