Cashew Butter Recipe

Have you ever made a homemade cashew butter? If not, consider trying this easy recipe.

DIY cashew butter is super easy and simple to make and requires only one ingredient, really. Creamy cashew butter is also gluten free, vegan, plant based, and a good source of protein and healthy fat.

Here is a comforting and delicious recipe for cashew butter. Furthermore, you can customize the flavor to make it the best cashew butter recipe ever; so luxurious, rich and creamy that it is simply addictive.  

Why make your own Cashew Butter? 

Since you can readily buy it in grocery stores, does it make sense to make it yourself? There are three reasons for this:

• Firstly, you can choose the ingredients, ensuring no preservatives or additives, extra salt, oil, or flavor, just simply cashew butter.
• Secondly, cashew butter is so much more delicious when made fresh. The flavor cannot compare to the store-bought version.
• And thirdly, it can be more cost-effective depending on how you buy your cashew nuts. Because the cashew butter ingredients consist of only one main ingredient, the cost depends on how inexpensively you can buy your cashews. I prefer to buy cashews in bulk, and since you will be breaking up the cashews anyway while making nut butter, you can purchase cashew pieces at a much lower cost.  

So, what is cashew butter?  

Cashew butter is a creamy, slightly sweet nut spread made from blended cashews.

What is best, raw or roasted cashews, when making cashew butter?  

It all depends on your taste and preference. Raw unsalted cashews have a very earthy, bland flavor, while roasted cashews provide an additional flavor note. I recommend trying both, though I prefer the slightly roasted cashew butter to the raw cashew butter. 

Why are cashew nuts not sold in shells?  

The cashew nut shell is actually an irritant and can cause a reaction. However, this is not the case with the nut itself, and it is therefore only sold without the shell here in the USA.  

Can I use already roasted cashews?

Yes, you can, but freshly roasted cashews give the cashew butter a better flavor. If using already roasted unsalted cashews, be sure to warm them before making the nut butter. Warm cashews are easier to blend.

Short history of nut butter:

There was a time when peanut butter was probably the first nut butter on the market, which is peculiar as peanuts are not a nut, but rather a legume. It was, however, the only game in town, and like me, you may have thought George Washington Carver was the inventor of peanut butter since he is usually associated with peanuts. 

However, that is not true; it was the Incas that first ground peanuts into peanut butter, but it was John Harvey Kellogg who patented the process of making peanut butter. He considered it a worthy protein alternative for those who had difficulty with chewing. The almond butter was to follow years later, and was also associated with Dr. Kellogg, and has become especially popular in recent years. (1)

Another strong contender for creamy nut butter is the cashew butter. It was first discovered by Europeans visiting Brazil in the 1500s, but did not make a strong appearance here in the States until the 1900s. (2)

Cashews are actually quite important in vegan cooking; they are often used to create the creaminess that is traditionally achieved with milk and cream, and they are perfect in this vegan cashew butter.  

What are substitutes for cashew butter?  

My favorite substitute for cashew butter is almond butter, simply because I love the almond flavor. It adds such an earthy, comforting richness to your recipes. I also recommend sunflower seed butter as another creamy alternative. It has a bland flavor profile and provides the rich creaminess that cashew butter also provides. You can also use sesame seed butter, but it has a distinct flavor and may not be appropriate in all recipes.  

What are some nut butter alternatives?

There are several nut butter alternatives on the market, and as strange as it seems, many of them are not made from nuts, but seeds and legumes.  

Peanut butter: is actually made of legumes, not nuts, but nonetheless, it is the most common and much-used “nut butter” in the US.  

Almond butter: Almond butter can be either raw or roasted, unflavored or flavored, a close second to peanut butter. 

Cashew butter: Obviously the creamiest of nuts, it makes a fantastic, rich and delicious nut butter.  

Macadamia Nut Butter: Another favorite nut butter is the macadamia nut butter. It is made using the same method as the cashew butter, but with macadamia nuts. Rich and creamy and super delicious. It can easily be a substitute for cashew butter in any recipe.  

Sesame seed butter: is a paste made from sesame seeds. The most common use is tahini, which is also known as sesame butter. It is used in a number of recipes, dressings, and other applications. The most common recipe probably being Hummus.  

Sunflower seed butter:  A great alternative to peanut butter, made from sunflower seeds.   

How to Make Homemade Cashew Butter

Here are step-by-step pictures and instructions to make the best creamy cashew butter ever.

Place cashews on a baking sheet and roast in the oven at 350F for about 10 minutes or until golden brown. Cashews burn easily, so be sure to keep an eye on the nuts during the last couple of minutes.  

Next, add the raw cashews to a powerful food processor and pulse. Scrape down the sides with a spatula as needed. Continue this process for 7-10 minutes. The cashew butter will go through several phases or stages. First, expect the cashews to look like chopped nuts, then ground nuts.

After a while, they will start looking like dry clumps of ground nuts.

In due time, the nuts will begin to look like a paste , and, finally, they will turn into creamy cashew butter. 

Trust the process; be patient; it takes a while before the nuts release the oil and turn into smooth cashew butter.

How to Make Raw Cashew Butter

The raw cashew butter recipe is very similar to the roasted cashew butter recipe; simply skip the roasting step and proceed as above.    

Tools for making Cashew Butter:

• Powerful Food Processor: Since smooth cashew butter will need to be processed for at least 10 minutes, a weak food processor can easily get too hot and overheat. 

OR

• Powerful Blender: Again, the blending process is best done with a powerful blender such as a Vitamix.

TIPS for making excellent homemade cashew butter:

• Be careful not to burn the cashews during the roasting process. Kitchen ovens can vary in temperature; some can even be temperamental, so be on the safe side and check the nuts along the way, especially the last few minutes.  
• Be sure the nuts are fresh and not rancid. Check the packaging for best-before-date. Cashews can last for a few weeks in the cupboard, but will keep much longer in the fridge. If buying cashews in bulk store in freezer.   
• Use a powerful food processor when making nut butters. I use a Breville 12 cup food processor. You can also make cashew nut butter in a high end blender such as a Vitamix.
• Make in large batches. A larger batch (3 cups +) will make it easier to process.  
• Add a teaspoon of coconut oil if you want a more spreadable cashew butter. It will change the consistency to a smoother cashew spread, which is particularly needed when you want to drizzle over recipes.  

Cashew Butter Ingredients:

Raw Cashews: cashews have a sweet, pleasant taste and are extremely important in plant-based cooking. They are especially high in magnesium and are, therefore, a great addition to a healthy diet. Since magnesium is essential in nerve impulse transmission, its lack can produce nervousness and irritability, and studies suggest magnesium may be helpful in the treatment of anxiety. (1)

In my household, we use a lot of cashews as they are a great creamy element in so many dishes. I add cashews to my vegan gravy, vegan artichoke spinach dip, and even my soup recipes to create a creamy texture.

To make raw cashews nuts more affordable, I buy them in bulk and keep them in the freezer. I keep about a quart in an airtight container in my cupboard and replace it from the freezer. I almost always buy cashew pieces since they are more affordable and will be blended anyway. However, I like to keep a few whole ones for eating. They are such sweet, gentle nuts.

Optional Flavoring Ingredients:  

• Vanilla: add a touch of vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste for a sweeter treat.
• Salt: add a pinch of sea salt to give the cashew butter a better flavor.  
• Coconut oil: a teaspoon of coconut oil will aid in the process of making cashew butter. You can experiment with other oils, such as avocado oil.
• Maple Syrup: This nut butter is naturally slightly sweet, but adding a drizzle of maple syrup, agave nectar, or sugar will make this nut spread even sweeter.
• Cardamom or Cinnamon: Get creative with adding flavors such as cardamom or cinnamon for a delicious twist.
• Carob or Chocolate Cashew Butter: Add a teaspoon of roasted carob powder to the cashew butter for a different but delicious variation. Carob is sweet, high in fiber, fat-free, and caffeine-free, and is a healthy ingredient to add to recipes. Or add a touch of cocoa powder for a chocolate flavor if you prefer. In addition, you could add some chopped carob or chocolate chips for some extra crunch.  

How to use cashew butter:

• Toasted whole wheat bread, English muffins, or bagels: Spread on fresh toast in the morning—it will add an extra boost of protein and give you extra energy for the day. We love the Silver Hills Sprouted Whole Grain bread. You can also make your own homemade bread, check out my whole-grain bread recipe.
• Cashew Sauce: Substitute with cashew butter for the peanut butter in the sauce for our easy spring rolls recipe.
• Banana Bread: Add some extra flavor and moisture to banana bread.  
• Overnight Oats: Add homemade nut butter to healthy overnight oats for some added protein.  
• Pancakes: Excellent topping for our fluffy vegan pancakes.  
• Crepes: This creamy cashew spread will make a fantastic filling in our vegan crepes.  
• Muffins: An excellent ingredient in breakfast muffins. Cashew butter will add some extra moisture and flavor to the muffins.  
• Oatmeal: Add some roasted cashew butter to your oatmeal or granola. Better yet, add it to your homemade granola recipe for some extra flavor.  
• Ice cream: Drizzle over your favorite ice cream for a unique and comforting experience.  
• Pear Cream: Serve over various breakfast dishes along with this gorgeous and delicious pear cream.  
• Energy Power Balls: Use as an alternative to peanut or almond butter.  
• Cookies: Cashew nut butter will add a great taste and consistency to your favorite nut butter cookie recipe.  

FAQs

What is the best alternative to cashew butter?  

A cashew butter substitute is easy to find. The best alternative would be almond butter or sunflower butter.  

How long does cashew butter last?

You may be used to store-bought nut butter lasting a long time on the shelf, but since homemade cashew butter does not contain any preservatives or additives, it will only last a few days on the counter and a few weeks in the fridge. Be that as it may, we generally eat this delicious nut butter well before it spoils.  

How do I store Cashew Butter?

It is always a good idea to store cashew butter in a glass jar with a tight lid in the fridge. It will last much longer.   

In the cupboard: a few days

In the fridge: about one month 

What type of cashews should I use to make cashew butter?

You can use all sorts of cashews to make cashew butter, but ensure they are fresh and not rancid. I prefer raw cashews as they do not have added oil, salt, or preservatives. When you make your own homemade nut butter, roasting the raw cashews gives them an extra touch. I prefer cashew pieces as they are more economical, but I use whole cashews for special treats. 

What can I substitute for almond butter?

Cashew butter is a great substitute for almond butter. In fact, cashew butter is a little richer and creamier than almond butter. It may be just what you are looking for.  

How do I make Crunchy Cashew Butter?

The best thing about homemade cashew butter is that you can make it to your exact preference. If you prefer crunchy cashew butter, simply set aside a 1/4 cup of the roasted cashews. Add the remaining cashews to the food processor and proceed with the recipe. When the cashew butter is creamy and smooth, chop the set-aside cashews and add them to the finished product.   

Looking for more vegan recipes to serve for breakfast? Try my fluffy vegan pancakes or my baked hash browns.

I hope you enjoy this homemade cashew butter recipe! Leave a comment if you give the recipe a try!

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Sources:

1. National Peanut Board “History of Peanuts and Peanut Butter”
2. Wholesale Nuts and Dried Fruit “History of the Cashew”
3. Healthline “Magnesium for Anxiety: Is it Effective?”