Raw Recipe: Almond Butter
Making nut butters can be a little tricky. I used to think that I had to do them in my Vitamix, which would drive me batty with all the scraping down that was required. Other times, I would have a fail, only because I quit too early. I didn’t realize how much time it takes, and the process that the nuts have to go through. But if you have a little patience, you can make nut butters that are fabulous. You will never want to buy them again! Almond butter is a good one to start with.
I used my Kitchen Aid 12 cup food processor. It is a strong processor. The bottom warms up a little bit but if you are using an older processor, or a processor with a much weaker motor, common sense needs to prevail.
After 2 minutes it will look like this.
After 4 minutes it will look like this.
After 6 minutes it will look like this.
Around 8 minutes, the almond mixture will ball up. Just let it keep going.
At 10 minutes it has begun to redistribute, but it is not done yet. You want to wait until the oils get released.
At 12 minutes the almonds have released their oil and the butter is ready! If you want to add honey or salt, stir it in by hand.
*Chef’s Note: If using soaked, dehydrated (dried) almonds, you may need to add a little oil. This recipe requires the use of completely dry almonds.
Almond Butter
MAKES 1 1/4 CUPS ALMOND BUTTER
- 2 cups Almonds
- 1 tablespoon Raw Honey (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt (optional)
- Place almonds in food processor. Process for 8-12 minutes. You will need to scrape down the sides in the beginning. If you choose to use the honey and salt, stir in by hand after the butter is made as it will seize the mixture if you try to add it before.
*Chef’s Note: If using soaked, dehydrated (dried) almonds, you may need to add a little oil. This recipe requires the use of completely dry almonds.
Ann wrote on January 26, 2011
Hello Susan,
I just made the best almond butter…my first time yet! I toasted slivered almonds, placed them all in my small food processor while they were still hot, added honey, cinnomon and 2 T canola oil. Blended for a few minutes, was not creammy so I kept adding oil, probably 5 Tbs….then found your recipe with the photos. It was too late to remove oil so I just kept blending and ended up with the creamiest, yummiest butter ever. Next time though I will try it with no oil.
Thanks!
Sarah wrote on January 14, 2011
thanks for the recipe. I am so looking forward to making almond butter this weekend. I can’t believe its so easy.
M&M wrote on January 12, 2011
THANKS SO MUCH FOR THESE INSTRUTIONS!! I’ve tried more than a few times over the years to make nut butters with the Vita-Mix and Blend-tec. It never worked and always sent me marching to the computer to order some. I also wanted to make a butter with no added oils. I didn’t know the nuts needed to be ground so long. (It took 15 minutes or so in my processor.) The almond butter came out perfectly! Thanks again.
Reggie wrote on January 4, 2011
Do I have to store it in ther refrigerator to keep them fresh?
Susan wrote on January 4, 2011
I do…
Ethel Lewis wrote on January 3, 2011
I made some almond butter using karo syrup, butter and veg oil. it is good not too sweet,which I like . I cannot use honey. but it is too thick, what else should I add.
Susan wrote on January 3, 2011
Oh, gosh, I don’t use ingredients like Karo syrup and butter here. I am not sure how you would thin that out…
Susan wrote on January 2, 2011
My food processor only has one speed. And, I don’t mind scraping down the sides. I do it…that isn’t what the problem was. I am guessing your almonds weren’t dry enough. There are a lot of recipes on the site that use almonds. You can do a search.
Claudia wrote on January 2, 2011
Susan, Thanks for your help and support. I’m just bummed I won’t be able to make the butter myself. Maybe I’ll try the blender and luck out. I did see previous posts and someone said that putting it on low speeds keeps it from going off to the sides, but my low speed no longer works. Figures.
Anything I can do with the pulverized almonds? (I did add some oil earlier thinking it would help, but the flavor isn’t overwhelming, and the almonds taste good.) Just hate to waste them.
Susan wrote on January 2, 2011
Could be the problem. I don’t know about frozen…but I don’t think it helps. I scrape it down a lot when I make it. Almost every other minute. But scraping it down in the food processor is much easier than in the vitamix.
Claudia wrote on January 2, 2011
Hi Susan,
OOPS. Pardon me. I just noticed in a previous post you had mentioned a 700 watt food processor, obviously a better quality than mine.