Chocolate Chipotle Almond Butter

February 22, 2011

I’ve been meaning to make my own nut butter for a while now. A weekend spent at the farm gave me lots of down time and the perfect opportunity to do this. Though, as it turns out, you don’t really need “down time” to make nut butter. It whips up lightening quick.

I chose almond butter because almonds are insanely healthy and I happened to have a bunch on hand. I was feeling feisty, so I added cocoa and some ground chipotle powder to give this nut butter a kick in the pants.

Ingredients: (makes 1 small jar)

1 1/2 cups raw almonds (no salt added)

2 tablespoons cocoa powder (add more if you want it crazy chocolate-y)

a scant 1/4 teaspoon chipotle chili powder

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 tablespoon sugar (or agave nectar)

Directions:

Measure out the almonds and toss them into a food processor.

By the way, check out my future mother-in-law’s old-school food processor. It was quite the little work horse. Good to know these gadgets are built to last.

Pulse the almonds until they are ground down to look like breadcrumbs.

While grinding, slowly add the oil, cocoa powder, chipotle, and sugar.

It will take several minutes for the almonds to start to resemble a creamy, nut butter mixture. After about 5 to 7 minutes, it will go from this…

…to this.

Feel free to add a bit more cocoa powder or spice to suit your taste. Add a bit more oil to thin it out, if you like. Once the mixture is creamy and to your liking, spread it on a graham cracker or slather it between Nilla wafers.

Remember your childhood, but try not to play with your food.

The spicy, chocolate flavor combo is terrific. This jar won’t last long in our house. I feel another batch coming on very soon.

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Tagged as: almond butter, chipotle, cocoa, food, nut butter, snacks, spreads

{ 21 comments }

Caitlyn (A Spoonful of Life) February 26, 2011 at 2:01 pm

That’s a brilliant idea!

Jen @ Keepitsimplefoods February 26, 2011 at 2:35 pm: Thanks!

Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table February 24, 2011 at 1:53 pm

My farmer’s market has a cayenne peanut butter that I love, but this may have to trump that. Chocolate always wins! Can’t wait to try it out.

Thanks for stopping my my blog!

Jen @ Keepitsimplefoods February 24, 2011 at 4:21 pm: Cayenne peanut butter sounds awesome! Thanks for the tip. I’ll have to try that.

Lauren at Keep It Sweet February 23, 2011 at 1:08 pm

homemade nut butter is SO good. what a great idea to add chipotle!

Lisa {Smart Food and Fit} February 23, 2011 at 12:58 pm

I agree with Tina, Holy yum. I’m trying this today! Very creative my dear!

Jen @ Keepitsimplefoods February 23, 2011 at 1:18 pm: Thanks, Lisa! I hope you like it as much as I did.

Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun February 23, 2011 at 11:11 am

Thanks for commenting on my guest post. Wanted to stop by real fast and say hi. And how amazing that combo sounds in a nut butter! Holy yum!

Jen @ Keepitsimplefoods February 23, 2011 at 11:18 am: Hello Tina! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hope you enjoy the site.

chelsey @ clean eating chelsey February 23, 2011 at 10:49 am

Yum! This looks amazing!

Jen @ Keepitsimplefoods February 23, 2011 at 10:51 am: Thanks, Chelsey!

Meredith February 23, 2011 at 10:24 am

maybe little ellen should get a food processor upgrade for mothers day…..

brandi February 23, 2011 at 10:00 am

What a great combination!

Lauren February 23, 2011 at 9:37 am

This is such a unique idea! Chipotle chile powder is a favorite flavor enhancement in our house, and you just can’t go wrong with homemade almond butter.

Jen @ Keepitsimplefoods February 23, 2011 at 9:56 am: Thank you, Lauren! You are so right about homemade almond butter-it’s incredible! I too am a big fan of chipotle, in fact I like to add it to brownie batter for a little extra kick. So good.

Katrina (gluten free gidget) February 23, 2011 at 7:59 am