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I've been straight obsessed with cashews lately. I can't get enough. I've been using them in everything. What a fabulous little nut, wouldn't you agree (ahem, unless you're allergic that is). What prompted me to make my own cashew butter is the pricey jarred cashew butter I use to make Danielle's awesome bread (as seen in the pictures). I can get it pretty darn close, but I think you need a magic machine to yield the creaminess you'll find with Artisana. But it does the job and I love it. I wanted to share with you how easy it is to make it yourself. I make this in a high speed blender (Vitamix). I know for sure it will not become creamy in a food processor (trust me, I've tried). Cashew butter is delightfully creamy and mixed with honey it's quite divine. I hope you'll give it a try.
Ingredients:
-2 cups room temperature raw organic cashews *
-1/2 teaspoon oil (or as needed)
How To:
1. Add the cashews to blender and start on low, allowing the cashews to turn into flour. Then turn it up a notch and use the tamper to keep things moving.
2. You will feel like the motor is going to burn out, but you're okay (and it's loud). Keep it moving.
3. I don't turn the blender on high during this process (you know, that left switch) - I just keep it turned up to about 10.
4. After it looks really well incorporated and starts getting creamy, add in the little bit of oil and continue blending. The oil just helps move things along in the final process. Add more as needed.
5. The cashew butter will be very warm the longer you blend. YOu might want to take a break if things are getting too hot. Use a silicone spatchula to scoop everything out. Don't worry about the little bit remaining between the blades, just make a smoothie and it will clean it right out.
6. You can store the cashew butter in an air tight container in the cupboard.
Cashew Honey Spread:
-1 tablespoon honey
-2 tablespoons cashew butter
-Mix until incorporated
Notes:
*If you're not comfortable with 2 cups of cashews, start with 1, and after some practice, you can move up to 2 cups.
*The cashews must be room temperature!
*Add oil as needed. Don't burn out your motor...and PLEASE don't blame me if you do. :-)
Sounds fabulous, especially that honey spread. Man I need a vitamix ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks Gabby, and yes you do need one! It's made my dairy free life waaaay better. I hear Blendtec is a great blender too, but I have my Vitamix and sticking with it for a while.
DeleteI bought my Vitamix on QVC a few years ago (they had a great sale and I could make payments). Gotta love that. :-)
That honey butter looks divine, Amber! I adore cashew butter too. :)
ReplyDeleteyet another thing we have in common!! :-)
DeleteWow--that turned out so thick and creamy! I am just about to bite the bullet and buy a high speed blender, but I can't decide between a Vitamix or a Blendtek. The combo of honey and cashews here sounds so yummy!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lauren.
DeleteIf I currently didn't have a Vitamix, I would buy a Blendtec. I've heard great things and I also hear it makes a much superior nut butter (it has a fancy feature for this).
This looks amazing! I love making cashew butter! I really don't think there is anything better than a cashew for creaminess without dairy. That bread looks amazing too!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sarena. And the bread is my favorite!!
DeleteCashews are mindblowing, even I love them a lot. Loved the spread you gave with honey. That's sounding really yummy!
ReplyDeleteThey are so amazing for us dairy free girls! Love them.
DeleteThis looks heavenly Amber! I am still on vacation for another week, but I am already excited to make this when I get home. Yumm....
ReplyDeleteThanks, Laura. xoxo
DeleteThis sounds so yummy and easy to make. Just pinned :) Can't wait to try mixing other flavors with the cashew spread too -- like coconut manna, which would make it more hearty, or maybe a few drops of vanilla, which would make it taste like dessert maybe? Anyway, thanks for the great idea!
ReplyDeleteYes, cashews are so adaptable that way. Love.
DeleteOh yum! Reminds me of creamed honey, which is one of my favorites! Another simply fab recipe Amber! xo
ReplyDeleteThanks Maggie. :-)
DeleteAmber - you rock. I'm craving this now. Do you think it would work in a food processor? The last time I made something like this in my Vitamix (which is VERY old), I pushed the motor a little over the edge. I've got to try this though. Maybe my problem is I hit the "big daddy switch" like you warn not to do...
ReplyDeleteAny thoughts? Keep the posts comin'-
Jen
Thanks, Jen.
DeleteUnfortunately, this will not work in a food processor. I mean, it will work, but it won't be creamy. I've tried many times in a food processor and it's rather grainy. The magic of the high speed is needed.
Ha ha, yes, I don't kick over that big daddy switch at all.
Let me know if you find a way to get it without the high speed.
wow Amber that looks incredible! i'm with you -- i LOVE cashews! -- I pretty much add them to everything -- they add such a creaminess! amazing! great recipe! have a wonderful night!
ReplyDeleteThanks dear.
DeleteI really need to invest in a vitamix!
ReplyDeleteUm, yes you do my friend! I think you would just love the possibilities with these high powered machines. This was one of the best investments I ever made for my kitchen.
DeleteWow this looks so great! I really wish I had a vitamix!!!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you DON'T have one. They are amazing little machines. :-)
DeleteDo you soak your nuts?
ReplyDeleteThat's what she said! :-)
Srsly though, you may yield a creamier texture from soaking them for 4-6 hours. This also makes them more digestible (necessary for fartyg ova here).
However, soaking them does change the color and consistency considerably.
Hope you doin' gooood! <3
Ha ha, there is really no way to talk about all these nuts without laughing (nut bag, nut cheese, nut milk) COME ON!
ReplyDeleteI'm so bad when it comes to cashews. They are the one nut I don't soak (for making cashew butter). I have tried soaking them, but it didn't work (for the butter that is). That being said, I didn't dehydrate them. But for you (and me) I will try this for sure! :-)
P.S. Saw a great movie (via Netflix): Beginners.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFM3AE64bgw
P.S. My book: Light on Yoga came last week. Really loving it. :-)
I really love your cashew butter &that honey cashew butter spread too!
ReplyDeleteI have made them 2 already & loved them so much!
A huge thank you!
Thanks for your great feedback. Have a wonderful day. :-)
DeleteSo cashew butter was enough. But with honey? Insanely delicious!!!!
ReplyDeleteI thought you might like this one, Heather. :-)
DeleteThanks for your lovely blog! I was wondering if we could do seeds butter without a vitamix. I can't afford it but I would love to make my own seeds butter. Do you have any suggestions?
ReplyDeleteHi There,
DeleteI have had good success with making seed butters in a food processor. Give that a try for sure. Good luck!
This looks awesome!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you don't mind I am going to share this, and then use it in a Zesty Cannellini Bean and Cashew Houmous dip :D
Not at all! Thanks so much.
DeleteSo excited to try this!! Stocking up on cashews while I'm out tomorrow mmm thanks!
ReplyDeleteI need to get some cashews today too! I go through them so darn fast. I hope the homemade cashew butter works well for you.
DeleteI make my own cashew butter in my Black and Decker food processor, and it does a wonderful job at getting it really creamy. You need to give it a rest every few minutes, and it comes out so creamy and divine!!!
ReplyDelete