Making almond butter like a pro

Who is not a fan of almonds? Everyone adores these crunchy savory nuts. They are one of my top personal favorite dry fruits. I like adding them to my sweets recipes and cracking a handful from time to time. Having a family-owned almond orchard is really a blessing since I can enjoy as much as I want even when the prices soar.

Well, these nuts are not only a great addition to cookies and baked goods; there are a number of almond byproducts that will come in handy. In this article, we will be focusing on one item and we will learn together the secrets of making almond butter.

Making almond butter:

Almond butter is available on all grocery shelves. You can choose from several brands. However, this creamy spread is a bit expensive. Therefore, if you want to save a few bucks then you can try making almond butter on your own at home. Here are simple steps to follow.

Ingredients:

· 3 cups of raw almonds

· ¼ teaspoon of salt

· ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon

· ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract

· 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey

The three last ingredients are optional, but I strongly recommend that you add them because they add an excellent aroma and flavor to the butter.

First of all, roast the almonds in the oven. Avoid buying already roasted almonds because they might be over roasted or have additions. Eight minutes in a preheated oven with stirring midway would be enough.

Let the nuts cool for a while and then put them in a food processor just when they are still a bit warm. Hit the power button and let it blend. Be patient because it will take a while. Once it gets creamy, add a pinch of salt, cinnamon, and maple syrup. Blend them until all ingredients become homogeneous.

Let the mixture cool and put in a glass jar, seal them and preserve them in the fridge. If you are afraid that your food processor won’t do it, try a Vitamix blender. Is Vitamix almond butter champion? Definitely yes.

Almond butter nutrition facts

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, a serving of 100 grams of this butter has the following nutrients:

• Calories: 614
• Total Fat: 56 g
• Saturated fat: 4.2 g
• Polyunsaturated fat: 14 g
• Monounsaturated fat: 32 g
• Sodium: 7 mg
• Potassium: 748 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 19 g
• Dietary fiber: 10 g
• Sugar: 4.4 g
• Protein: 21 g
• Calcium: 34 %
• Iron: 19 %
• Vitamin B6: 5 %
• Magnesium: 69 %

The vitamins almond butter offer along with a great percentage of proteins and dietary fiber makes it a perfect item to use. This creamy spread is not only delicious, but it is also highly beneficial.

Is almond butter healthy?

We usually hear that different kinds of butter are not healthy and might have detrimental effects on the body. However, not all kinds of butter were created equal!

Almond butter offers significant amounts of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. The former is generally linked to better heart health and blood sugar control.

Some of the vitamins almond butter contains are vitamin E and vitamin B6. The former is capable of stopping the plaque formation in your arteries and hence preventing potential heart attacks. Calcium, magnesium, and iron play a vital role in bone development and blood cell formation.

What is more important is that almond butter contains omega 3 fatty acids. These are essential compounds for the human body. They are vital for brain development and functioning, as well as eye health.

Rich in plant sterols and L-arginine, almonds help in blood circulation by relaxing the blood vessels, assist wounds in healing, assist the kidney in getting rid of waste, and keep the cholesterol out of the bloodstream.

Almond butter has a high content of fiber which makes it the perfect morning option. Fiber help making you feel full longer and hence helps you control your weight by preventing excessive eating.

Almonds have more iron, vitamin E, and calcium than any other nut type. That’s why they are an excellent choice for vegetarians. They provide an alternative to animal-based calcium and proteins. If you are still wondering whether almond butter healthy or not, then you should try it and judge for yourself. There is much more to this tasty butter than the savory flavor.

Making almond butter is a simple task and quite rewarding because the taste is incredible.