I enjoy making things at home as opposed to buying the stuff that is loaded with preservatives, additives and chemicals at the store. I know I say this all the time but it is not until you taste the “real” stuff that you realize how much better, tastier, healthier and cheaper it is to try and make things at home yourself. Just turn any jar at the store around and try reading the long list of stuff that goes into your regular nut butter and you will be amazed, I don’t even know what half the stuff in there is! My kids love peanut butter and with them at home this summer I decided to explore making my own almond butter and peanut butter at home.

The kids were super excited to watch how almonds were transformed into almond butter and then into chocolate almond butter. Sure it was like a helicopter was landing in the kitchen when the food processor started working the almonds but the kids did not mind!

This almond butter was amazing as a spread for sandwiches, as a dip with some apples or simply by the spoonful 🙂 This is a great snack to have around the house and it also makes for a unique and wonderful gift for the foodie friend in your life

Before I get to the recipe I have two things to say:

I want to wish my readers a Ramadan Mubarak if you celebrate the month of fasting. Wishing you all a blessed month.Ramadan is the month when muslims fast from dawn till sunset. It is a month of worship and feeling with those less fortunate. In Ramadan the streets are decorated with lanterns, stars and crescents. Families gather around for iftar to enjoy dishes unique to celebrate this month. I will be sharing a few of those unique dishes over the next few weeks and hopefully I will take my camera and take you on a tour of the streets and markets of Amman in Ramadan. If you are interested make sure you come back often and check for these posts coming soon

I also want to thank Maureen of Orgasmic Chef for having me as a guest on her food writer Fridays. Maureen is a wonderful interviewer. I enjoyed answering her questions.So if you want to know a little more about me, please visit my interview with Maureen . While you are there do take a look around Maureen’s wonderful blog. She is a talented blogger with a beautiful writing style, a sweet sense of humor and big passion for life and everything she makes.Her Vanilla Poached Pear and Apple Crumble , ekmek kataief and her dad’s beef straganoff are high on my must try soon.

Peppermint chocolate almond butter

2 cups toasted almonds

2-3 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/4 cup coco powder

1/2 to 1 teaspoon peppermint extract

Making plain natural almond butter

Add the almonds to your food processor and turn it on to medium speed (you might want to cover your ears at this stage)

Be patient! it will take a few minutes for the almonds to start releasing their natural oils. Slowly you will notice that the almond powder is turning into a paste.

Keep scrapping down the sides

After the almonds have turned into a slightly granular paste start adding in the oil slowly while the food processor is on. Check the consistency and stop adding oil when you reach the desired thickness.

You can stop at this stage and you will have plain natural almond butter. You may want to add sugar, honey, stevia or any sweetener of choice.

You can also add cinnamon, cardamom or any other flavoring you like.

Making chocolate almond butter

If you decide to turn your almond butter into a chocolate peppermint one and I strongly suggest you do

Add the coco powder, sugar and peppermint extract to the almond butter and pulse in the food processor until they are completely incorporated.

You may need to add a little more oil because the coco will make the butter thicker in consistency

Notes:

The amount of oil you add will determine the consistency of the almond butter. More oil makes the consistency smoother and more flowy

The quality of the coco powder you use will go a long way to determining the final taste and quality of your almond butter, so try to use good quality coco powder to get the best results

The amount of sugar you add is up to how sweet you want the butter to be

Almond butter serving suggestions

This chocolate almond butter can used as

Sandwich spread

Dip for fruits

As a topping or along side pancakes or waffles

The chocolate component in making chocolate granola (recipe coming soon)

Add a couple of tablespoons of this chocolate almond butter to your smoothy in the morning. It is amazing with bananas and milk

Or simply enjoyed by the spoonful lol