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.
Susan wrote on February 7, 2010
The nuts can be soaked but then they have to be dehydrated. You want dry nuts for this, not water logged ones. You can also use nuts that haven’t been soaked.
hihorosie wrote on February 7, 2010
Awesome! Thanks for sharing. I’m sorry if this has been asked and answered already but did you soak the nuts beforehand?
Alexa wrote on February 7, 2010
I guess I didn’t leave mine in long enough when I’ve tried it in the past. Thank you for this post! I’ll give it another try. I go through so much almond butter.
Michal wrote on February 7, 2010
Yours looks delish! I have made my own AB before but i just about killed my food processor.
Susan wrote on February 7, 2010
Mine dealt with it beautifully but I am assuming it is because I replaced my old one with a new Kitchenaid.
TK wrote on February 7, 2010
Thank you for this post! I immediately got up and tried it for myself – as others have stated, I’ve been afraid to try making nut butters using the Vita Mix and thought that was the only way. My 17 year old Cuisinart started to stink a little and took a bit longer than 12 minutes, but it came out beautifully! I’m off to make your Cacao Walnut Fugde recipe now… ; )
Susan wrote on February 7, 2010
I had a 20 year old Cuisinart, just replaced it with a new Kitchenaid. I can not believe the difference!!!
Dom wrote on February 7, 2010
This looks fabulous!! How long will this keep? And is it better off in the fridge?
Susan wrote on February 7, 2010
I do keep mine in the fridge. But I keep all my nuts in the frige as they do have fats and oils in them. As far as how long it will keep, at least a couple of weeks.
helene wrote on February 7, 2010
read through your comments, does that mean for this recipe, you soaked the almonds first and then dehydrated them before starting this recipe??
Susan wrote on February 7, 2010
For this one, I didn’t but you can.
helene wrote on February 7, 2010
Thank you…I’ve been wanting to know how to make almond butter for a very long time! Cheers, will try this soon!!!
Ariana wrote on February 7, 2010
That looks really easy – as if you could not do anything wrong 🙂 I need to try it out!