Natural Almond Butter in a Food Processor
Being new to the world of food processing (see how God gave me a food processor), I was unsure how to make almond butter in it. I have found it difficult, but not impossible, to make almond butter in the Vita-Mix. I have a friend who makes it all the time in her food processor, so when she was visiting this Saturday, I asked her to make some with me.
First, what I have already known, one must start 2 cups of with a fattier variety of raw almonds, such as carmel or mission almonds. If you are using non-pariel (sp) almonds, you may have to add oil to achieve a smooth, fluid consistency.
Second, the secret to success that I was missing –> one must give the food processor TIME. This is very important.
Also, I don’t believe a regular, run of the mill food processor will work. I recommend a Cuisinart with at least an 8-cup capacity. Reduce the amount of almonds for a smaller work bowl and increase the amount of almonds for a larger work bowl.
Here’s how to do it:
Put 2 cups of almonds in the food processor bowl. You’ll be using the regular blade. Add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt (optional). Put the lid on and turn on the food processor.
Let the machine run. The almonds will get ground into a meal. Then you’ll begin to see almond butter as a bottom layer. Let it run longer, like even 5 minutes, until a ball of beginning-to-turn-into-butter almonds is bouncing around on the blade. If necessary, stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Then turn it on again. The ball will slowly reduce in size until it is circulating freely in the bottom of the work bowl. When the ball is completely gone and the butter is circulating freely, the almond butter is done.
Refrigerate in a glass jar. Enjoy!
Follow a similar procedure to make peanut butter, hazelnut butter or cashew butter. I personally have not tested these other than in my Vita-Mix. So this is a speculation, but I feel a pretty good one.
Sounds yummy, I am so glad that you and your food processor are doing so well together.
Oh, yes, we are! It is great to have one to help me in the kitchen. Love, Wardeh
Mmmmm, you just spurred me on to make my own peanut butter. Just one more thing I can do to save DH and myself money and feed us more wholesomely. Thanks!
Great! Please let me know how it works for you. Making almond butter, you can definitely save money. You’ll want to make sure you’re saving money making natural peanut butter, though. For instance, I used to buy organic, dry roasted Valencia peanuts for about $2 per pound and I would make my own pb. But then I found a local source for the same peanut butter — already made, fresh ground, organic peanuts, no additives — for about $1 per pound. So I stopped making it myself and was happy to let someone else do the work! ~Wardeh
I didn’t know that you had to have a certain kind of Almond. That must be why my champion juicer got too hot when I tried to make Almond Butter. There is a store here that sells organic almonds and they have a machine to process almond butter. Cost the same…very expensive, like $8.00 a pound.
That’s about what I pay for my almonds, which is a good price, considering. So you’re getting a good deal. At least from what I know. I can’t buy almond butter for that price, so I make my own. Love, Wardeh
ever make cashew butter..YUM!!! I have been making home-made dressings w/ pine nuts and /or cashews and/or macadamia nuts..plus coconut water and…whatever…lemon etc…
i’ll try and post a recipe sometime soon although i have been using recipes out of cookbooks and so i can’t really do those on the blog..kwim? here is my food blog.. the other ones is my main one.
http://settingofsilver.blogspot.com/
amy