• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Peel with Zeal

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • GF Resources
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • GF Resources
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Gluten-Free Breakfast Ideas

    Published: Aug 11, 2018 · Modified: May 8, 2020 by Jen Wooster

    Strawberry Butter Fruit Spread

    520 shares
    • Share
    • Yummly
    • Email
    - Jump to Recipe -

    An easy recipe with few ingredients, this strawberry fruit spread recipe is a cross between a jam and fruit butter. We love this recipe because it is totally free of refined sugars and easily adapted to any mixed berry combination your heart desires!

    strawberry fruit spread recipe in a bowl

    Please read the entire post for tips and tricks to ensure a perfect recipe every time. And don't forget to tag @peelwithzeal on Instagram so we can admire your creation!

    This post may include affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    I love jellies and jams (have you tried our juneberry jam recipe?) but apple butter has always been my favorite texture.  Out of these loves and my desire for a sugar-free option came this super easy four ingredient strawberry butter fruit spread.

    Jump to:
    • Fruit Spread Ingredients & Substitutions
    • How to Make this Recipe
    • Preserving Your Fruit Butter
    • How to Use Fruit Butters
    • 📖 Recipe
    • ⭐Reviews

    Fruit Spread Ingredients & Substitutions

    This is going to be a long section. Just kidding there are only 4 ingredients. Have we mentioned that yet? In addition to being sugar-free this recipe doesn't use pectin which makes it easier to make than strawberry jam.

    • Strawberries- You need two cups of berries in total. You can use any combination of berries including raspberries blueberries. blackberries, and even serviceberries (also called Saskatoon berries). My favorites are 100% strawberry and a 50/50 strawberry raspberry mix. Delicious! This recipe works best with fresh berries but frozen works as long as you thaw before starting.
    • Dates- Obviously you want unsweetened but any variety of WHOLE dates work. We typically by these in big bags at Costco or our grocery store in the bulk foods section.
    • Balsamic Vinegar- Like all jams and fruit butters, this recipe needs a bit of acid to offset the sweetness of the fruit. I love using balsamic vinegar because it gives the strawberry a spread a more complex flavor. Balsamic and strawberries are a perfect pair. You can also use lemon juice, red wine vinegar, or champagne vinegar.
    • Vanilla- You can use vanilla extract, paste, or powder in this recipe.

    How to Make this Recipe

    We start by combing all the ingredients in a heavy saucepan. Heat the fruit mixture until the dates are softened. Don’t worry about the foam that collects on top. Unlike jams, you do not need to skim it off.

    strawberry fruit spread recipe on a spoon

    Then you hit this strawberry butter with an immersion blender. If you don't have an immersion blender try a blender or food processor, be careful of the hot liquid.

    Continue to cook down until you get your ideal thick and buttery spread. The mixture will darken considerably has it reduces in volume.

    Preserving Your Fruit Butter

    Place hot butter in hot sterilized jars, leaving ¼" headspace. Cover with hot sterilized lids and rings. Process in a water bath for 10 minutes. Remove to counter and allow to cool before storing in a cool, dry, dark place.

    If you don't process in a water bath, the butter can be kept refrigerated for up to three weeks or frozen for up to one year.

    How to Use Fruit Butters

    • As an edible gift (didn't see that one coming, did you?)
    • Slather on toast
    • In a peanut butter and banana sandwich, or better yet try a cashew butter sammie
    • Stirred into overnight oats
    • In crepes
    • In place of jam in jam bars

    Let us know in the comments how you plan to use your strawberry fruit spread.

    If you try this recipe, be sure to post a photo on Instagram with @peelwithzeal so we can admire your creation! Follow Peel with Zeal on Pinterest, Instagram, or Facebook for the latest posts.

    📖 Recipe

    strawberry fruit spread in a bowl

    Strawberry Butter Fruit Spread

    Recipe Created By: Jen Wooster
    A simple sugar free fruit butter spread. Only four ingredients using your own favorite berry combination.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 40 mins
    Total Time 45 mins
    Course Canning, Dessert, Sauce
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8
    Calories 54 kcal

    Equipment

    • Immersion blender
    • Medium Saucepan

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 c fresh strawberries stems trimmed and halved
    • 1 c whole dates unsweetened
    • 1 c water
    • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

    Instructions
     

    • Combine all ingredients in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer for 20 minutes or until the dates are softened.
      making strawberry fruit spread on stovetop
    • Remove pan from the heat and use an immersion blender to puree the mixture. Alternatively you can use a blender, be careful with the hot liquid!
      pureed fruit spread before cooking
    • Return the pan to low heat and cook the mixture until thickened.  Depending on berries, 20-45 minutes.
      strawberry fruit spread texture shot

    Video

    Notes

    See the post for canning instructions

    Nutrition

    Calories: 54kcal | Carbs: 14g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Fiber: 1g
    Keyword fruit butter, fruit spread, no pectin, strawberry, sugarfree jam
    Tried this recipe?Tag us @peelwithzeal so we can see your creation!

    Next Recipe

    • Gluten-Free Sausage Gravy
    • Gluten-Free Buttermilk Biscuits
    • Fluffy Cornmeal Pancakes
    • Oat Flour Waffles
    520 shares
    • Share
    • Yummly
    • Email

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Join the Discussion Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Kelly Mickhail says

      August 01, 2021 at 1:01 am

      Can you can this?

      Reply
      • Jen says

        August 02, 2021 at 4:20 pm

        Canning instructions are in the post. Thanks!

        Reply
    2. Angela says

      June 08, 2020 at 10:26 am

      5 stars
      This is a wonderful recipe, the texture is so smooth.

      Reply
    3. Lauren Vavala | Delicious Little Bites says

      June 08, 2020 at 10:19 am

      5 stars
      I have never seen a recipe like this before, but can't wait to try it! What a genius idea to use dates - yum!

      Reply
      • Jen says

        June 09, 2020 at 6:33 am

        Thanks. Let us know how it turns out.

        Reply
    4. Ana F. says

      June 08, 2020 at 10:13 am

      5 stars
      What an easy recipe! I rather eat homemade strawberry spread and this was so delicious and easy to make! I loved mine on bagels lol! Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
    5. Deanne says

      June 08, 2020 at 9:37 am

      5 stars
      I love that you're using dates in this recipe! We go through strawberry jam like crazy and this looks like a healthier alternative. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Jen says

        June 09, 2020 at 6:33 am

        Easier to make than jam and lower sugar. What's not to love?

        Reply
    6. Jen says

      June 08, 2020 at 9:04 am

      5 stars
      I love this texture better too! Such a smart idea to add the balsamic vinegar to this spread. Yum!! Going to make this with the kids today.

      Reply
      • Jen says

        June 09, 2020 at 6:33 am

        We think it adds just a little something special too.

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome Friends!

    picture of Jen

    My name is Jen and I am the recipe developer, writer, and photographer around here. Since being diagnosed with celiac disease over 10 years ago I have been slowly curating a recipe box full of gluten-free goodness. I adore vegetables, crave chocolate, and I am always up for an adventure.

    Subscribe

    Seasonal Recipes

    • Roast Turkey with Sage and Orange
    • How to Dry Brine a Turkey
    • Homemade Turkey Broth
    • Citrus and Herb Cornish Hens
    • Cranberry Gin Cocktail
    • Cranberry Jalapeno Dip

    Popular Recipes

    • Cajun Garlic Butter Sauce
    • Parmesan Roasted Zucchini and Squash
    • San Marzano Tomato Sauce
    • Demerara Syrup
    • Tanghulu
    • Easy Dog Birthday Cake

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About Us
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Statement

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Check out our new Web Stories

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Partnerships

    Copyright © 2022 Peel with Zeal