Peanut Butter

12 Delicious and Cheap Nut Butter Recipes to Make at Home

Ashley Marcin — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 17:00:07 +0000

I remember way back when a trip to the grocery store only offered up a few nut butter choices. There was smooth peanut butter, crunchy peanut butter, and maybe a jar of that mixed PBJ variety…

But now there are sunflower butters, almond butters, hazelnut butters, chocolate peanut butters, cookie butters, and the list grows with each passing day. Nut butters are sort of, well, a thing these days. (Related: Peanut Butter: The Poor Man's Protein)

And they all seem to have high price tags. I honestly cannot get enough, but my budget can't support my habit like it used to. So, I've been making my own peanut butter at home for the last several years, and it's as easy as putting nuts in a food processor and blending.

Basic Peanut Butter

Ingredients

3 cups dry roasted peanuts, unsalted
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1 tablespoon sugar (optional)
1 tablespoon coconut oil (optional)

Method

You place all these ingredients in your food processor and blend until smooth. Then place in an airtight container to store. You might wonder: Why dry roasted nuts? Through many tests and trials, the dry roasted peanuts gave way into peanut butter with much less struggle and waiting time. They also have a deeper flavor that I have come to enjoy.

And — as I've covered already — there are about a million other nut butters out there. Though making them at home isn't always remarkably cheaper than buying them at the store, you can't argue that they aren't healthier without all the added ingredients like hydrogenated oils. Here are some tasty recipes to try today! (Related: 15 Unexpected Uses for Peanut Butter)

Chocolate Peanut Butter

You can add chocolate chips — about a third to a half cup — to the basic peanut butter recipe above to make a dark and decadent variety. You can substitute honey in for the sugar for some natural flair.

Almond Butter

This roasted, salted Almond Butter requires a bit of oven time to develop its flavor — but it's well worth the wait. Just make sure to let the nuts cool for five minutes before processing.

Maple Almond Butter

This Vanilla Maple Almond Butter looks absolutely divine. The author soaked her almonds for 24 hours and then dehydrated them before adding some vanilla beans and a "kiss" of maple syrup while blending.

Walnut Butter

I love tossing walnuts into my chocolate chip cookies, but they're also great as a nut butter. This elegant recipe spreads onto crostini as well as it dresses up plain fruit, and it can be sweetened naturally with a little honey (or maple syrup).

Chocolate Hazelnut Butter

I couldn't write a nut butter list without a fantastic Homemade Nutella recipe in the mix. I've tried several recipes, but I like the inclusion of icing sugar and coconut milk for added sweetness and richness.

Macadamia Butter

I've actually never tried this type of nut butter, but I think the maple and vanilla flavors in this Macadamia Nut Butter recipe might be enough to push me over the edge.

Pecan Butter

Don't mind if I do! This Pecan Butter would make a tasty topping for anything from oatmeal to, well, a silver spoon. Add a dash of cinnamon for some deliciously warm spice.

Cashew Butter

I became smitten with cashews when I dipped my toe into the whole raw desserts world. This Cashew Butter recipe requires zero oil, yet it blends into a tasty, drippy spread you'll want to put on everything in sight.

Pistachio Butter

Going green? This vibrant Pistachio Butter will delight your tastebuds. You'll want to shell the pistachios first to get all the skin off. And you can try this recipe as written — with almonds — or go all in with 2 cups of pistachios for more intensity.

Cookie Dough Butter

I'm salivating just thinking about this Cookie Dough Nut Butter recipe that has big chunks of chocolate in it. The author uses cashews and macadamia, but I'm thinking you can substitute in whatever nuts you have on hand.

Sunbutter

Sunflower seeds, as we all know, aren't nuts. However, I'm partial to this simple Sunflower Butter recipe. And if you're allergic to nuts, it's a great alternative to try in sandwiches and even cookie recipes.

What's your favorite nut butter recipe? Please share in comments!

This article is from Ashley Marcin of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

15 Unexpected Uses for Peanut Butter

Paul Michael — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 10:31:22 +0000

As a Brit, I was not a big eater of peanut butter growing up. To be honest, I rarely ate it in college or beyond either. Then I came to America, where peanut butter is as common in the kitchen as milk, eggs, and flour. And now, I'm a regular eater of PB&Js. (See also: 11 Ways to Update Your PB&J)

But when you're not putting peanut butter in a sandwich, what else can you do with it? I've been doing a little digging, and found 15 unusual uses for this everyday household snack. Some of them surprised even me.

1. Peanut Butter Popcorn

I'm not a huge fan of plain popcorn, but throw some flavor in there and I'm a happy camper. First, bring a ½ cup each of sugar and honey to a boil in a pan, stirring constantly. Let it get a darker color, around 3-4 mins, then stir in ½ cup of smooth peanut butter and a teaspoon of salt. Put your popcorn on a baking tray, pour the mixture all over it, and toss it around until covered. Once cooled, it becomes a delicious snack. If you like more crunch, use crunchy peanut butter instead. (See also: Yummy Homemade Popcorn)

2. Shaving Cream

This is not a permanent replacement, but a good solution when you're all out of shaving cream. Spread a thin layer of smooth peanut butter on your face or legs and shave as usual. The natural oils in peanut butter help moisturize the skin, too.

3. Leather Cleaner

Once again, the natural oils in peanut butter come to the rescue. Obviously this only works with the smooth or creamy varieties, but it really does work. Just use a small amount on a soft cloth, and rub it in using a circular motion. You can also use it on your leather shoes, purses, and more.

4. Pill Disguiser

Ever tried giving a pill to a fussy kid, or an equally fussy pet? It's a job Superman would have trouble accomplishing. But a little peanut butter can hide the pill, and the taste, very easily. They may even want a little more.

5. Gum Remover

Oh, the annoyance of treading gum into your carpet. It seems like the worst thing you could do is pile peanut butter on top of that, but it actually does work. There is a method to this madness though. First, grab you hair dryer and heat up the gum, then rub with a plastic bag. Most of the goop should come out, but it won't get it all. Apply a small dab of peanut butter onto the remaining gum, and let is sit for 5-10 minutes. Wipe it away with a damp cloth, and finish with warm water and dish soap, or your carpet shampooer if you have one. Job done. It also works on hair and clothing. (See also: 6 Secret Homemade Stain Removers)

6. Mouse and Rat Bait

The cartoons have been lying to you. Cheese just doesn't do it for mice and rats. But stick a big blob of peanut butter in the mouse trap (humane if possible) and they'll pile in like shoppers on Black Friday. (See also: Mouse Traps That Work)

7. Odor Eliminator

Fish. It's delicious, it's healthy, but boy, it can really leave a funky smell in your pans. After you've cooked fish, put a tablespoon of smooth peanut butter in the pan and swirl it around. It will soak up the fishiness for you. (See also: Delicious and Affordable Ways to prepare White Fish)

8. Glue Remover

We've all been in that sticky situation, when we get more super glue on our hands and work surfaces than the object we're trying to fix. One way to remove the glue, without using harsh solvents and chemicals, is to rub peanut butter into your hands or the affected surfaces. For really bad gluey fingers, hold them in the whole jar for several minutes (then throw it away, obviously). Once again, it's those precious oils that loosen the glue.

9. Windshield Cleaner

After a long drive you'll have enough bugs on your windshield to keep a spider happy for months. Sadly, they don't just clean right off. They stick. That's when you grab your jar of peanut butter and rub it into the affected spots. Let it sit for 5-10 mins, then spray with your hose. The windshield is now clear.

10. Wood Scratch Repairer

When you have those unsightly scratches on your wooden furniture, banisters or anything else, you can use peanut butter to make them fade or even disappear. Just rub some smooth peanut butter into the scratch and let it soak for 30 minutes to one hour. Then rub it away with a clean cloth and your scratch will be almost unnoticeable. (See also: Simple Tips to Refinish Wood Furniture)

11. Bird Feeder

You can make your own bird feeders just in time for winter, and it's really easy. Just tie a string to a pinecone, then cover it in peanut butter and roll it in birdseed. Now you can hang this to a tree or from your porch and make the birds pretty happy.

12. Squeak Eliminator

Do you have squeaky door hinges, or other creaking objects that could use some lubrication? Well, if you don't have a can of oil handy, use the natural oils in peanut butter. A little dab on the offending squeaker will keep it quiet for a while.

13. Butter Substitute

If you're all out of butter, and the recipe can handle the switch, use the same amount of smooth peanut butter instead. This is especially useful when you're cooking on camping trips, when peanut butter is usually more readily available than regular butter. It also adds a nice nutty flavor as well.

14. Ice-Cream Cone Sealant

When you're making an ice-cream cone, put a big blob of peanut butter, chunky or smooth, into the bottom of the cone. Then add your ice cream as usual. Now, the melting ice-cream won't make the cone soggy or leaky, and you'll have a delicious extra treat when you reach the bottom. (See also: Best Ice Cream Makers)

15. Roach Motel

Bugs check in, but they don't check out. After you've used peanut butter for all the methods listed above, you may not have much left in the jar. Don't throw it away yet. Remove the top, lay it on its side and place it where you may have roaches, spiders, or other bugs. They are attracted to the peanut butter, but it's a fatal attraction, as the sticky peanut butter easily holds them inside the jar. When it's full, screw the lid back on and dispose of it.

Do you have any unusual uses for peanut butter? Share them with us in comments!

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This article is from Paul Michael of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

11 Ways to Update Peanut Butter and Jelly

Meg Favreau — Fri, 20 May 2011 10:36:21 +0000

Most of us have been eating peanut butter and jelly sandiwches since we first moved to solid food. Inexpensive, quick, and easy to pack, it's unsurprising that many of us continue to nosh on these sandwiches well into adulthood. But the ubiquitous PB&J can also get a little boring after a while. Try one of these easy variations to add some excitement to the old sandwich. (See also: Sex Up Your Sandwich: Ideas for Budget-Concious Brown Baggers)

1. Use Other Butters

Cashew butter, almond butter, and sesame seed butter all taste great. Most — especially cashew butter and almond butter — are available in both crunchy and smooth.

2. Make PB&J for Breakfast

What's better than peanut butter and jelly? Peanut butter and jelly drenched in maple syrup. Rachel Ray has a recipe for peanut butter and jelly french toast sticks.

3. Go Elvis

The King loved his peanut butter and banana sandwiches. Give a hat tip to Elvis by adding sliced banana between your peanut butter and jelly. Or try other fresh fruits like sliced apples or pears.

4. Grill It

The bread gets toasty, and the filling gets gooey and warm. It's a perfect quick winter comfort meal.

5. Add Raisins

...or dried cranberries, chopped prunes, or any other dried fruit.

6. Prepare a Pina PB&J

Sprinkle a layer of shredded coconut (preferably unsweetened) between the peanut butter and the jelly.

7. Lose the Bread

Almond butter and jam with raisins between two rice cakes is one of my favorite travel snacks — plus it's gluten-free. You can also try PB&J wrapped in a tortilla, on pizza crust, or on banana bread for a decadent dessert sandwich.

8. Toast Up PB&J S'mores

Add a layer of peanut butter and a layer of jelly to graham crackers before smushing them in with chocolate and a soft marshmallow.

9. Prepare PB&J Pie Pockets

These handheld peanut butter and jelly pockets look a little like Uncrustables, but feature peanut butter and jelly inside of a flaky pie crust.

10. Use a Savory Jelly or Jam

My mom gave me a jar of red pepper jelly for Christmas. It's a great pairing for cheeses, but also makes for a totally different peanut butter and jelly experience.

11. Put PB&J on Your Burger

This might sound like an example of two sandwiches that should never meet, but peanut butter and jelly burgers are popping up at restaurants across the United States. The key, it seems, is to choose your jam carefully. Very carefully.

Do you make a great, atypical peanut butter and jelly sandwich? What variations am I missing? Share in the comments!

This article is from Meg Favreau of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Peanut Butter: The Poor Man’s Protein

Linsey Knerl — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:36:13 +0000

Peanut butter is a staple food of many households. The rich and the poor alike find it to be filling and delicious. Eating the right variety of peanut butter can also have a positive effect on your health, while reducing stress on your grocery bill!

A True Health Nut - The Peanut Institute reports that the peanut contains more plant protein than any other legume or nut – almost 8 grams per serving! This is especially valuable information for those that have a hard time getting an adequate amount of protein in their diets, either due to a vegan/vegetarian lifestyle or a financial situation that makes purchasing quality meats a hardship.

Peanut butter naturally contains no cholesterol, and one ounce (that’s a small handful) contains 2 grams of fiber. That’s almost 10% of your daily needs! This same small amount will provide 16% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin E – the same antioxidant that has been shown to reduce your chance of heart disease.

Cheap Eats - Dollar for dollar, peanut butter truly is affordable. Even the most expensive all-natural organic varieties are cheaper per serving than most cuts of meat. This is one of the reasons that most subsidized food programs strongly support peanut butter as a staple for the average diet. Peanut butter also has a very long shelf-life (usually 6-9 months unopened.) This makes it a great food for storing in case of emergencies.

The Best Butter - The best peanut butter varieties are those that contain no added sugars, preservatives, and trans fat. Read labels carefully to be sure you are buying peanuts, not garbage. If you aren’t able to get to a health-food store for some freshly ground peanut butter, you can easily make it yourself at home, following these instructions:

For smooth peanut butter:

· Mix 1 ½ c. peanuts with 1 tbsp. peanut oil, and pour the mixture into a food processor.

· Process the mixture until it's very smooth.

· Store your smooth peanut butter in a sealed container in the fridge. It will be good for 2 weeks.

For chunky peanut butter:

· Take about 1/4 cup out of your 1 1/2 cups of peanuts and set them aside.

· Mix the rest of the peanuts with the oil, and pour the mixture into the food processor.

· Process the mixture until it's very smooth, then stir in the peanuts that you had set aside.

· Process a few seconds more to create the chunks in your chunky peanut butter.

· Store your chunky peanut butter in a sealed container in the fridge. It will be good for 2 weeks.

Using peanut butter in your meal plans can be a little tricky in the beginning. Finding a good recipe resource, such as Peanut Butter Lovers.com, can make it easier. In addition to the traditional recipes of Peanut Butter Cookies and Peanut Butter Fudge, you can also find main dishes such as Southern Peanut Butter Soup with Pepper Jelly and Peanutty Chicken Piccata. There are even a few yummy meatless dishes, such as Whole Wheat Pasta with Cucumber and Spicy Peanut Sauce!

How do you eat your peanut butter? I personally make a mean Peanut Butter Chicken. I find that adding peanut butter to our diet is a great way to get the kids to eat better, and it’s cheap, too!

This article is from Linsey Knerl of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: