New recipe! Homemade Nut Butter

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love a big ole’ spoonful of nut butter.  I almost always have two jars in my pantry: Trader Joe’s natural salted peanut butter and unsalted creamy almond butter.  Packets of Justin’s nut butter are mainstays in my food stash for when I’m out on the road doing instructor trainings, too.

Several days this week, I’ve had green apple slices dusted with cinnamon and dipped in almond butter for an afternoon snack.  The cinnamon + almond butter combo is fanTAStic and it got me wondering why I hadn’t made my own nut butter from scratch yet.  Off to Trader Joe’s I went for two big bags of raw nuts: one bag of cashews, one bag of almonds.

I finally got in the kitchen this morning and whipped up my first batch of homemade nut butter and I’m happy to report: it was a success!!  (And it was stupid-easy…)

Raw cashews are mild, sweet, and buttery-perfect all on their own, but I wanted to play a little so I added some coconut oil and cinnamon:)  Go get yourself a bag of raw cashews and prepare your celery sticks, bananas, and apple slices because this stuff begs to be dipped and devoured.  Moms, I’m pretty sure your kiddos will find this just as addictive as I did!  Let me know how you guys like it – or if you put your own twist on it and come up with a good flavor!

Cinnamon Cashew Butter

1 1/4 c. of raw cashews
2 Tbs. coconut oil, melted
1 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
pinch of sea salt

In a food processor, combine the nuts, melted coconut oil, cinnamon and pinch of salt.  Blend in 1-2 minute intervals, scrapping the sides down as needed.  (It may start to take on a dough-like consistency and ball up inside the food processor, but just keep breaking it down and blending it.)  Mine took about 5-10 minutes to get to the consistency I wanted. Adjust seasonings as needed.

Store in an airtight container.

Grab apple slices.  Dip generously:)

***NOTE**** I inadvertently stated earlier that cashews were 21 Day Sugar Detox-friendly.  They are on the “no” food list however.  Peanuts and cashews are “no’s” but there is a huge list of nuts on the “yes” list.  I need to read more carefully next time!