Homemade Almond Butter

Start out with raw, organic almonds. I suggest almonds from Food to Live because they are organic and unpasteurized, which preserves the healthy enzymes within the almonds. You can buy the almonds in many different volumes, but I suggest to start out with just one pound.

1. First, you need to blanch the almonds (remove the shell). People with sensitive stomachs may have a hard time digesting the shells. Also, phytic acid found in the shell of the almond can hinder the absorption of minerals like iron and zinc. Blanching is a simple process. Put the almonds in a large bowl that can withstand boiling water. Add boiling water to the bowl until all the almond are covered. Let them sit in the water for 2-3 minutes then rise with cold water.

Now you can slip the shells off the almonds.

2. After blanching your almonds, put them back in the bowl, add enough water to cover the almonds. Add one tablespoon of salt per pound of almonds, cover, and let them soak (sprout) for at least 6 hours or overnight.

3. Drain the almonds. At this point they are too soggy use for recipes. If you have a food dehydrator, add the almonds and dehydrate at 135 degrees F for 24 hours. You can also put the almonds in your oven at the lowest setting (125 – 135 degrees F) for 24 hours. Anything hotter than that, you will breakdown the healthy enzymes in the nuts.

Ok, now you have dehydrated the almonds you are ready to make the almond butter. In order for the almond butter to mix well, make sure that the almonds are still warm when you put them in the food processor. If they are cool throw them back into the dehydrator or oven for 10 minutes.

Ingredients

- 1 cup organic almonds

- 1 1/2 tablespoons coconut sugar

- 1 tsp organic, raw honey

- 1/2 tsp cinnamon

- 1/2 tsp salt

- 1 tsp coconut oil

- 1/4 tsp nutmeg

Place the almonds into a food processor and turn it on. Because the almonds are dehydrated and warm, it will only take 5 - 10 minutes to turn it into butter. At first it doesn't seem like it will ever turn into butter, but be patient! First, it will look like chopped nuts, then it will start to look grainy. At this point you may need to stop the food processor and scrap the almonds off the sides. Turn the food processor back on and you should have butter in no time. 

Once you do have butter, scrap everything out of the food processor into a bowl. Add all the other ingredients and mix well.

Ta-da! You have home made almond butter! Enjoy!