Making Almond Butter ...still.

[Shels]

Quick question to all here who make their own almond butter: How long does it take you?

It literally takes me all day to finish one batch. I put two cups into a seven cup food processor, and run it for two to four minutes at a time before stopping to let it cool down (which takes a while).
Ideally I want to get a food thermometer so I know just how much longer I can run it, but as it is I'd rather wait longer than end up cooking these lovely almonds I just spent so much money on in order for them to be raw/unpasteurized.

[revdrcyn]

You are ambitious!

I can't wait to see some of the responses to your question because like you, I have been frustrated when trying to make my own almond butter.

[Lady G]

Did it once, to much trouble for me. I buy mine. It does take a very long time. Work it girl, much success to you.

[AllergyGirl]

I've never tried to do this, but I have some ideas (none of them may work, but worth a shot, right?)... Can you freeze or chill the almonds before you start, so they're good and cold before you start grinding them? Can you chill the food processor bowl (either in the fridge or the freezer) before starting? Also might try chilling the blade... Can you stick it in the fridge/freezer to cool it down faster in between runs?

Just some random ideas...take them if they're useful. :)

[laura-jane]

People, it's not hard! It takes me ten minutes in my cheap food processor!

I wrote about it on my blog once. Here, I'll cut and paste:

Raw almond butter recipes are something of a myth in the raw food world. Why won’t they blend well? What’s the deal with all these bad raw almond butter recipes?

But I’ve got a raw almond buter recipe that does the trick.

Make this raw almond butter recipe in your food processor, not your blender, not your VitaMix and not your BlendTec. (Trust me.)

This raw almond butter recipe is simple and delicious. I love it spread on apples or raw crackers. Keep it in the fridge. It tastes best when it is served at room-temperature.

This is a great replacement for peanut butter. And much healthier, too!

Raw almond butter recipe

2 cups almonds
2 tablespoons of honey
1/2 teaspoon of sea salt

1. Place the almonds only (do not add the honey or salt) into your food processer.

2. Food process your almonds. Keep scraping the sides. At first, the almonds will just be all powdery and you’ll think you need to add liquids. But do NOT add any liquids. Just keep processing them and scraping the sides. Seriously, keep processing and scraping the sides for approximately ten minutes. (Yes, that’s right, 10 minutes!!)

You’ll see that your almonds will eventually turn kind of doughy. Keep processing them… They’ll turn buttery if you process long enough.

After approximately ten minutes of food processing (could be a bit longer or a bit less depending on the strength of your food processor), your raw almond butter recipe is basically ready.

3. Once you’ve got the consistency you like, add the honey and salt and mix by hand.

Enjoy your raw almond butter recipe!

http://therawtarian.com/raw-almond-butter-recipe/

[Shels]

^ This is what I do (minus honey/salt), it just heats up too fast.

[RawHealthyBeauty]

What kind of a food processor do you both have?
I never tried almond, but I have tried just about almost every nuts or seeds to make nut butter in my food processor, which is Black and Decker. Never really had a problem with it heating up with anything.
Although, the smaller version of a food processor and something similar to a magic bullet I have does heat up if I make any kind of nut butter in those...Maybe that could be the problem???

[DawnD]

I tried to make almond butter in the Vitamix with soaked almonds. What a disaster...the blender just kicked them to the side and I kept scraping. Then I started over with unsoaked almonds and coconut oil. It was done in 30 seconds! The almond butter was quite warm and next time I will check the temp as I go.

[Shels]

Mine is a KitchenAid. My second batch actually went a bit faster this time, but it makes such a little amount after all that time, lol (also considering the two cups of almonds that go into it). I think I might have to re-calculate, because all this time I've been assuming it's cheaper to make it. Although, even if it isn't, it still tastes much better, and I know the almonds are really raw and soaked.

[Maintime]

Maybe it would be easier just buying a grinder? I don't know. I have been meaning to attempt this but haven't as of yet. :)

[ferb]

a question on the almonds? do you soak them first or toss them in dry? I've just got back from town with a 2 lb bag and want to try this. TIA Ferb

[Shels]

I soak and dehydrate them (and usually freeze too, since I buy in bulk). I really doubt you could make butter while they're wet.

[RawKnitster]

I gave up on the food processor long before turning any nuts to butter. I put 1/4 cup of nuts or seeds into the Magic Bullet (or more recently the Tribest personal blender which is basically the same thing). The flat blade will grind 1/4 cup into butter in less than a minute.

[Chelz]

I tried making almond butter in my little cheap food processor and YES it took ALL day long. It would heat up...then I' have to wait until it cooled down. :eek:

However, I tried in a different processor and it took a 10-12 minutes. :)

[ferb]

i remember yrs ago (24 to be exact) my aunt, who was the queen of yard sales, had a little contraption that made nut butters it was electric and would make the best fresh peanut butter. I'm not sure if she ever tried doing other types but I remember sitting at her table watching her take fresh from the oven peanuts drop them in the top and in a matter of a few seconds out came the butter she would let it set to remove some of the oil extracted. I'm going to give her a call to see if she remembers the name.

anyhoo, good luck on making nutbutter- I tried again today and not good I just did a small batch so not a lot was wasted.

[Luciano]

Quick question to all here who make their own almond butter: How long does it take you?

It literally takes me all day to finish one batch. I put two cups into a seven cup food processor, and run it for two to four minutes at a time before stopping to let it cool down (which takes a while).
Ideally I want to get a food thermometer so I know just how much longer I can run it, but as it is I'd rather wait longer than end up cooking these lovely almonds I just spent so much money on in order for them to be raw/unpasteurized.

at least to my observation, the problem is that the oils start "butterizing" much better when a certain temperature is achieved... so it will take more time that way.

never tried the bullet thou, would you recommend that one? what can it do besides nut butters?

[walnutty]

Please invest in a thermometer! I purchased a digital food thermometer at Walmart for $10 years ago. I think you may be over estimating how hot your almonds are getting. It takes quite a while for mine to hit 105 degrees and I have a cheapy food processor. I used to think that I was cooking them also until I could watch the temperature rise on the thermometer.

Plus, you can also use the thermometer while you are trying to warm soups, hot chocolate, etc., in either your food processor or blender. They really are a pretty nifty item to have in a raw kitchen!

[Healthy Soul]

I pop the whole food processor container into the freezer when they heat up too much. They cool down much faster this way and I don't see any reason why not to? Unless you forget about 'em. :)

I haven't really paid attention to how long it takes, but it's definitely much, much quicker this way. Do you think it takes longer with soaked and dehydrated almonds? Just got my dehydrator today :D, so I haven't tried it yet.

[DawnD]

Just made some almond butter yesterday in my Vitamix. After about 20 seconds of blending the pitcher fogged up. I stopped to get the temp and it was 154 degrees. I was so mad. I will process it much slower next time.

[kaybee]

if you google something called sumeet its a cool grinder. expensive though. but almond butter has been a PAIN for me, as has tahini. seems the roasted nuts work so much easier. would be curious if someone has/buys this grinder and how well it works for raw nuts :)

[Stina]

Seems like a juicer with the solid plate instead of the sieve would work well.

[kaybee]

ive thought about trying this with my solostar juicer...but read about someone doing it and it really taxed the juicer and made the butter "gummy"....im wondering if adding a small bit of oil along with the almonds when i put them through the juicer would help.... anyone tried either way?

[walnutty]

Read this!

http://www.rawmazing.com/recipes/raw-recipe-almond-butter/