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.
lola cusson wrote on January 25, 2016
january 25/2015
I tried to make raw almond butter yeasterday. Soaked the almonds. I was not aware that after soalking I needed to dry the almonds. Proudly I used my Vitamix 5200 ca. Tell you how disappointed I was. I though I had killed the Vitamix. It stopped working for a while. Tryed it again. Ithj m the moisture in the almonds just. Add things worst. After a lo g time of trying I. ould not get the almond to turn the almonds to turn into butter. I had this big mush. I do not have a dehidrated. Could you help me with the process any suggestion of what I did wrong? That k you God Bless you
Susan wrote on January 25, 2016
Hi, Lola, First, I would read the recipe through. You can not use soaked (wet) almonds for almond butter. This recipe is actually for using a food processor, but you can make almond butter in a vitamix. You just have to start with completely dry almonds. If you don’t have a way to dry then, I would suggest not soaking them. You could also try drying them in an oven at a low temp. It was the water in your recipe that caused the failure. Hope this helps. 🙂
Angela Barbara wrote on January 3, 2016
This is wonderful…just tried this in 2016!
Butter in 13min. Happy Camper.?
claudia wrote on August 31, 2015
Hi! this recipe is great, looking forward to trying it. Can i ask you which food processor did you use?
thanks!
Susan wrote on August 31, 2015
Hi, Claudia, I use the KitchenAid 12 cup food processor. Cheers!
Carol Reader wrote on August 14, 2015
I just made this in my thermomix for 12 mn, speed 6 and it’s delicious!! Never bying it in a jar again! Thank you Susan!
Anita wrote on June 20, 2015
Use Trader Joe’s Organic raw almonds from the bag and it took 13 minutes in my 12 cup Cuisinart processor. Added several grinds of pink Himalayan salt and a tablespoon of Trader Joe’s Raw honey – delicious and creamy. Pictures were very helpful as this was my first venture with nut butters. Thanks for the recipe!
Greg wrote on June 15, 2015
WARNING!!This recipe killed my food processor the first time I tried it!
Susan wrote on June 17, 2015
Hi, Greg, Yes, there is a warning included. I have made dozens of batches with mine and had no problem. But some older or not strong food processors don’t handle it well. That is why we suggest you keep an eye on your food processor to make sure it isn’t overheating. Cheers!
mary wrote on April 18, 2015
When do you add the the oil if using soaked and dehydrated nuts?
Susan wrote on April 19, 2015
Hi, Mary, You can add it at any time but wait until closer to the end to make sure you need it. 🙂
Taryn Bryson wrote on April 14, 2015
I love this, so simple. I cant seem to find how to store it and for how long?
Susan wrote on April 19, 2015
Hi, Taryn, I store it in the refrigerator. It keeps for weeks. Cheers!
Pam wrote on January 13, 2015
I just made the raw almond butter for the first time. It turned out fantastic! I used raw organic almonds which had been soaked and then dehydrated. I used a 12 cup Kitchen Aid Food Processer for about 10-12 minutes. I didn’t need to add any oil and it was real creamy. The pictures of the process was a great help. Thanks for sharing your wonderful recipes.