Easy Classic Chocolate Peanut Butter Recipe
There are many benefits to making homemade peanut butter. It’s fresher. you have control over the ingredients, and it can be more economical than store bought versions. You probably have everything you need to make peanut butter at home.
Classic Chocolate Peanut Butter Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup roasted peanuts (unsalted or salted, depending on your preference)
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup honey or maple syrup (adjust for desired sweetness)
- ¼ cup melted coconut oil (or another neutral oil)
- Pinch of salt (optional)
Instructions:
- Process the Peanuts: Add the roasted peanuts to a food processor. Blend for several minutes, scraping down the sides as needed. The peanuts will go through stages: crumbly, then clumpy, and finally, creamy peanut butter.
- Add Cocoa Powder and Blend: Once the peanut butter is creamy, add the unsweetened cocoa powder and blend until fully incorporated.
- Sweeten and Adjust Consistency: Pour in the honey or maple syrup and blend again. Taste and adjust the sweetness according to your preference. If the mixture is too thick, add the melted coconut oil, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
- Salt (Optional): Add a pinch of salt, if desired, and blend one last time.
- Store: Transfer the chocolate peanut butter to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. The natural oils in the peanuts may separate, but just stir it up before using.
Tips:
- Use a high-powered food processor for the smoothest results.
- For a richer chocolate flavor, use dark cocoa powder.
- You can substitute other nuts like almonds or cashews for a different nut butter variation.
- Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract for extra depth of flavor.
Variations:
- Chocolate Swirl: Add half the peanut butter mixture to another bowl and stir in a few tablespoons of melted chocolate chips for a swirled effect. Then, layer the plain and chocolate peanut butter in your storage container.
- Salty-Sweet: For a more complex flavor profile, sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the finished peanut butter before storing.