The only problem with coconut butter is that it's expensive. The brand I bought was $13.99 for 16 ounces. Then I discovered you can make it at home for a fraction of the cost. All you need is unsweetened shredded coconut!
Pour the coconut in a food processor or blender and let it run. In a Vitamix, it takes about 3 to 5 minutes. I have a mid-level food processor, and it took about 10 minutes. In some models, it might take about 20 minutes. Don't give up, almost any machine should be able to handle it!
It helps if the food processor is pretty full. If there's not enough in there, the coconut will just keep pushing up against the sides and you'll have to stop and scrape frequently. Buy more than one bag if you need to.
When you're done, use a spatula to transfer the coconut butter to a jar. It can be stored in the pantry.
Here's the best part:
16 oz. jar of store-bought coconut butter - $13.99 or 87¢ per ounce
8 oz. jar of homemade coconut butter - $3.69 or 46¢ per ounce
Savings is 41¢ an ounce, or nearly 50%!
Yum I'm thinking some place tropical right about now... Who knew it was that simple?
ReplyDeleteYum! What all do you use this in/on?
ReplyDeleteYou can use coconut butter in smoothies, on toast/biscuits, in oatmeal... I've also used it in place of butter to make a kind of buttercream frosting for cupcakes. Really it's good wherever you'd like a taste of coconut!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Can't wait to try this!
ReplyDeleteDo you have a recipe using fresh coconut to make this or one to make coconut oil with fresh coconuts? Coconuts are cheap here, but the oil is very expensive. I can only find coconut milk, coconuts, and coconut water inexpensively here (Brazil).
ReplyDeleteCheck out this website for how to make coconut oil from fresh coconuts: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Virgin-Coconut-Oil
ReplyDeleteMaking coconut butter in the way I have shown also releases some oil. The oil will rise to the top when you let the butter sit, but it's not really enough to make it worth it on it's own.
So it can be stored in the pantry? It doesn't have to be refrigerated? How long can it be stored before it goes bad? I have never used coconut butter but this sounds great! Do I substitute this in baking instead of regular butter....especially if you are trying to make a recipe vegan for a guest? Sorry for so many questions....I just am new to this! ;)
ReplyDeleteYes, it can be stored in the pantry! I don't recommend putting it in the refrigerator as it will get hard, and is much easier to use at room temperature anyway.
ReplyDeleteYou can substitute coconut oil for butter when baking, but I don't think coconut butter would work very well. You could try it, but I think it's just too thick.
Let me know if you have any more questions! :)
Thank you so much for your help! I guess I am just not sure what you use coconut butter in. I saw you mention smoothies and icing....how much do you add or is it a substitution? Do I just look for recipes that use this or do you add it to a recipe? I am trying to reap the benefits of coconut more, but again, I am very new to this and really don't know what I am doing.
ReplyDeleteYou can certainly Google recipes that use coconut butter... it's becoming popular enough now that some recipes are catered to it. But don't be afraid to experiment either! As I mentioned, it's also good on toast, in oatmeal, etc. As for smoothies, I add about 1 heaping tablespoon. It's just a good way to get in some healthy fats. Same goes for oatmeal, I'd add a couple of tablespoons for a tropical variety to your breakfast. As for the frosting, that was just an experiment too! I mixed some coconut butter with powdered sugar until I got a consistency that was spreadable and wouldn't slide off the cupcake.
ReplyDeleteAs long as you like the flavor of coconut, coconut butter is an easy ingredient to work with. You really can't go wrong. :)
I am also in love with coconut butter. I am excited to try this out :)
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! Will have to try this!
ReplyDeleteWOW thats awesome, i will have to give this a go
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I've never tried coconut butter. Will have to! :) Thank you for linking up to "I Did It!" Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! I've actually been wondering how coconut butter was made. :-) Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteCan you use coconut butter instead of coconut oil for cooking - say frying an egg?
ReplyDeleteNo, you can't use coconut butter for frying or sauteing. You will end up with a big gloppy mess, it won't melt the same and your food will taste very coconutty.
ReplyDeleteTrying this! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhat helped me understand what coconut butter is, is by comparing it to peanut butter or almond butter...so you could make a coconut butter and jam sandwich. Hope that helps you all understand it better! :)
ReplyDelete-Shannon
This looks absolutely yummy!
ReplyDeleteHave you a recipe for flavored coconut butters?
ReplyDeleteI had a problem in that the coconut kept going up the sides of my vitamix. After turning off the vitamix and pushing down the coconut for about an hour, I was left with a mushy coconut, but not butter, and I gave up. Any suggestions to combat this problem?
ReplyDelete@dibishop22, I have no idea. I have 2 food processors, neither of which are near as powerful as a Vitamix, and they both make coconut butter without a problem. I would try adding a little coconut oil and see if that helps.
ReplyDelete