Homemade Coconut Butter: The Ultimate 1-Ingredient Recipe & Guide
Unleash the creamy, rich potential of homemade coconut butter with this incredibly simple, one-ingredient recipe. It’s a delightful indulgence that’s not only super easy to whip up in your own kitchen but also remarkably versatile, enhancing a wide array of sweet and savory dishes. Prepare to transform your pantry staple into a luxurious spread!
Get ready for a kitchen revelation! Making your own coconut butter at home is a game-changer. If you’ve never attempted it, you’ll be astonished by how little time and effort it requires. In less than 20 minutes, with just the push of a button and minimal cleanup, you can create this tropical delight. The best part? If you have a bag of unsweetened coconut flakes in your pantry, you already possess the sole ingredient needed for this creamy concoction.
WATCH THE VIDEO TO SEE HOW IT’S MADE:
What Is Coconut Butter?
Often referred to as coconut manna or creamed coconut, coconut butter is a luscious spread crafted by finely grinding the pure meat of a coconut. This process breaks down the coconut’s fibers and releases its natural oils, resulting in a smooth, creamy white paste. While traditionally made from dried coconut meat, using readily available unsweetened coconut flakes yields the exact same delicious result and is significantly easier to work with for home cooks.
Upon cooling, this thin paste gracefully hardens into a dense, spreadable butter. Although its texture is slightly grainier than traditional dairy butter, coconut butter serves as a fantastic, flavorful substitute in countless recipes, both culinary and cosmetic. Its distinctive tropical flavor and irresistible aroma infuse a delightful essence into anything it touches, making it a truly versatile and exotic ingredient.
Coconut butter is distinct from coconut oil. While both are derived from coconuts, coconut oil is solely the fat extracted from the coconut meat, primarily used for cooking or as a liquid. Coconut butter, however, contains the entire coconut flesh, including its healthy fats, fibers, and nutrients. This makes it a more wholesome and nutrient-dense option, providing a richer mouthfeel and a full coconut flavor that coconut oil alone cannot replicate.
Once you’ve mastered the art of making homemade coconut butter, you might find yourself inspired to create other kitchen staples from scratch. Why not try your hand at my homemade tahini, creamy almond butter, or refreshing cashew milk next? These DIY endeavors are not only rewarding but also ensure you have complete control over the ingredients in your food.
Notes on Ingredients: The Single Star of Our Show
Before diving into the full recipe, please pay close attention to these important notes regarding our star ingredient. The complete recipe, with exact amounts and detailed instructions, is provided further down in the recipe card.
- Unsweetened Coconut Flakes – This is truly the only ingredient you need, highlighting the incredible simplicity of this recipe. The beauty of it is how easily you can scale up this recipe: the more coconut flakes you add, the more coconut butter you’ll produce. Furthermore, using a larger quantity of flakes actually makes the blending process smoother and more efficient, as it helps create more friction and allows the blades to grab the flakes better, initiating the transformation into butter more quickly. Ensure your flakes are *unsweetened*; any added sugar will alter the texture and flavor of your final product, potentially preventing it from reaching the desired creamy consistency.
- Quality Matters: Opt for high-quality unsweetened coconut flakes. Freshness makes a noticeable difference in the flavor and aroma of your homemade coconut butter. Look for brands that offer organic or sustainably sourced options if possible.
Are Coconut Flakes the Same as Shredded Coconut?
While often used interchangeably in some recipes, there’s a subtle but important distinction between coconut flakes and shredded coconut. Shredded coconut is typically grated into finer, shorter strands, whereas coconut flakes are made from larger pieces of coconut meat that have been shaved and then dried. Both types can be successfully used to make coconut butter, provided they are unsweetened. The key is the absence of added sugars, which can interfere with the grinding process and the final texture. If using shredded coconut, you might find it takes slightly less time to process due to its finer nature, but the end result will be equally delicious.
How to Make Homemade Coconut Butter: A Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to embark on this incredibly simple culinary adventure? Follow these straightforward steps to create your own luxurious coconut butter.
1. Add the coconut flakes to your blender or food processor. Carefully pour all of your unsweetened coconut flakes into the jar of a high-speed blender or the bowl of a powerful food processor. Ensure the machine is dry and clean to prevent any moisture from affecting the butter. For optimal blending, make sure you’re using at least 3 cups of flakes; a larger volume helps the machine work more efficiently.
2. Process until clumpy. Secure the lid on your blender or food processor. Begin processing on high speed. For the first 3 to 4 minutes, you’ll observe the coconut flakes breaking down into a fine, powdery consistency. Continue blending until these fine bits start to clump together, indicating the oils are beginning to release and bind the particles. This is the initial stage of transformation.
3. Scrape down the sides. Stop your blender or food processor and carefully open it. Use a rubber spatula to thoroughly scrape down any coconut bits that have climbed the sides of the jar or bowl. This ensures all the flakes are incorporated into the blending process, promoting even processing and preventing any dry spots.
4. Continue processing until smooth and creamy. Replace the lid and resume blending. This stage requires patience and repeated scraping. You’ll need to stop and scrape down the sides approximately every 3 to 5 minutes, or whenever you notice the blades are no longer effectively processing the flakes. The total blending time can vary significantly depending on your appliance; high-speed blenders typically achieve this faster than food processors. Expect to process for an additional 10-15 minutes (or about 16 minutes total from the start), until the flakes fully transform into a luscious, pourable, thick paste that resembles creamy nut butter. The mixture will warm up during this process as the friction releases the coconut’s natural oils.
5. Finish and store. Once your coconut butter reaches its smooth, creamy consistency, transfer it immediately into a clean, airtight jar. Store it in the refrigerator or a cool, dry place in your pantry. As it cools, the coconut butter will solidify into a firm, creamy, spreadable butter. When you’re ready to use it, simply microwave a small portion for about 10 seconds to soften it, or for the entire jar, place a hot kitchen towel around it to gently warm it up, allowing it to become wonderfully spreadable again.
Expert Tips for Homemade Coconut Butter Success
Crafting the perfect coconut butter is less about complex ingredients and more about mastering the technique. Here are some essential tips to ensure your homemade coconut butter turns out absolutely perfect every time.
- Don’t Be Shy with Coconut Flakes: While this recipe works with a minimum of 3 cups, I highly recommend using a larger quantity if your blender or food processor can handle it. The more coconut flakes you use, the easier the blending process becomes. A larger volume creates more friction, which in turn helps release the oils faster and prevents the mixture from simply swirling around without proper contact with the blades.
- Troubleshooting a Stuck Blender/Food Processor: It’s common for the coconut mixture to get stuck to the sides or create air pockets above the blades. If your blender has a tamper, use it to safely push the coconut down towards the blades while processing. If you’re using a food processor or a blender without a tamper, always turn off the machine and unplug it before using a sturdy wooden spoon or rubber spatula to scrape down the sides and redistribute the flakes. Never put your hand or any utensil into a running machine.
- Patience is a Virtue (and Key to Creaminess): The transformation from dry flakes to creamy butter takes time. Resist the urge to add any liquids like water or oil, as this will prevent it from becoming true coconut butter. The natural oils from the coconut flakes are all you need. Keep blending and scraping; the magic will happen!
- Allow it to Cool Properly: Your freshly made coconut butter will be warm and quite liquidy straight out of the blender due to the friction of the blades. Do not attempt to use it immediately if you desire a spreadable, solid consistency. Transfer it to a jar and let it cool completely at room temperature or in the refrigerator. As it cools, it will firm up into that lovely, spreadable texture you’re looking for.
- Use a Powerful Appliance: A high-speed blender (like a Vitamix or Blendtec) or a robust food processor is crucial for making smooth coconut butter. Less powerful machines might struggle to break down the flakes sufficiently, leading to a grainy texture or potentially overheating the motor.
How to Store Homemade Coconut Butter for Longevity
Proper storage is essential to maintain the freshness and texture of your homemade coconut butter. Transfer your finished coconut butter into an airtight jar or container as soon as it’s ready. You can keep it in a cool, dry place in your pantry, where it will comfortably last for several weeks. Similar to coconut oil, it will solidify at cooler temperatures and become softer, or even liquid, in warmer conditions. If you’re in a particularly warm climate, or during the summer months, storing it in the refrigerator is recommended to ensure it maintains a consistently firmer, more spreadable consistency.
Should your coconut butter become too hard in the fridge, simply let it sit at room temperature for a while before use, or gently warm it as described in the recipe instructions.
My Favourite & Most Creative Ways to Use Coconut Butter
The culinary possibilities with homemade coconut butter are truly endless! Its rich flavor and creamy texture make it a versatile ingredient in both sweet and savory applications. While it’s impossible to list every single use, here are some of my all-time favorite and most creative ways to incorporate this tropical delight into your daily routine:
- Elevate Your Toast: Move beyond traditional butter! Spread a generous layer of coconut butter on your morning toast, bagel, or English muffin. For an extra touch of flavor, sprinkle a tiny pinch of sea salt, then drizzle with maple syrup or agave nectar. It also pairs beautifully with your favorite jam for a truly gourmet breakfast.
- Decadent Frosting & Glaze: Warm coconut butter slightly and whisk it until smooth to create a luscious frosting for cookies, cupcakes, or even a simple cake. You can also drizzle it over warm muffins, quick breads, or even brownies for a glossy, flavorful glaze that adds a hint of tropical sweetness.
- Breakfast Topping Extravaganza: Take your breakfast to the next level! Gently warm and drizzle coconut butter over classic French toast, fluffy pancakes, or crispy waffles. It melts beautifully, adding a rich, creamy texture and depth of flavor.
- Smoothie & Oatmeal Booster: Stir a tablespoon or two into your morning smoothie for added creaminess, healthy fats, and a subtle coconut flavor. It’s also a fantastic addition to your bowl of hot oatmeal, adding a luxurious texture and making it extra satisfying.
- Nut Butter Alternative: Coconut butter can serve as an excellent substitute for peanut butter or almond butter in many recipes. Imagine these Vegan Peanut Butter Cups made with coconut butter – a delightful tropical twist! It works wonderfully in energy balls, raw desserts, and as a spread in sandwiches.
- A Coffee Lover’s Secret: I haven’t personally tried this yet, but I’ve heard from many enthusiastic readers that adding a spoonful of coconut butter to your morning coffee creates an incredibly rich, creamy, and flavorful beverage, similar to bulletproof coffee. It’s a must-try for those seeking a unique coffee experience!
- Simple Sweet Treat: For an effortless yet indulgent treat, spread a little coconut butter onto a square of dark chocolate. The combination of rich chocolate and creamy coconut is simply divine and melts in your mouth.
- Enhance Curries and Sauces: For savory dishes, a dollop of coconut butter can add richness and a subtle coconut undertone to curries, stews, or even creamy pasta sauces. It helps to thicken and emulsify, creating a more decadent texture.
- Homemade Granola Bar Binder: Use coconut butter as a binder in your homemade granola bars or energy bites. It contributes to a chewy texture and a lovely flavor.
Enjoy creating this magical homemade coconut butter, friends! If you make this simple and satisfying recipe, please snap a photo and tag #jessicainthekitchen on Instagram! Your creations inspire us all. We’d also be incredibly grateful if you would take a moment to leave a comment below and give the recipe a well-deserved rating! Thank you so much for your support and enthusiasm!
How to Make Coconut Butter
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10 minutes
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Ingredients
How to Make Coconut Butter
- At least 3 cups unsweetened coconut flakes
Instructions
How to Make Coconut Butter
- In a food processor or high powered blender, add the coconut flakes.
- Blend together for about 3 to 4 minutes until the flakes are beginning to clump together.
- Open and scrape down the food processor.
- Secure back on top and continue to blend. Keep blending until everything has been blended together for about 16 minutes. You’ll need to keep scraping in between, about every 3-5 minutes or when the blade is not blending anything. The flakes will begin to break down into a paste, and then a thick and creamy spreadable butter.
- Remove and pour into a jar. It’ll harden once cooled or in the fridge.
- To use, microwave slightly for about 10 seconds to soften, or place a hot kitchen towel around the jar to soften. Enjoy!
Notes
Store homemade coconut butter in an airtight jar or container and keep it in a cool dry place; it will last for a few weeks. If it’s summertime or you’re in a warm environment, you can store it in the refrigerator if you want it to maintain a firmer consistency.
Calories:
140
kcal
,
Carbohydrates:
5
g
,
Protein:
1
g
,
Fat:
14
g
,
Saturated Fat:
12
g
,
Sodium:
8
mg
,
Potassium:
115
mg
,
Fiber:
3
g
,
Sugar:
2
g
,
Vitamin C:
1
mg
,
Calcium:
6
mg
,
Iron:
1
mg
Disclaimer: Although jessicainthekitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Jessicainthekitchen.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.
American
Breakfast, Jams, Sauces, Dips & Spreads, Sauces, spreads
Jessica Hylton