Few things can take me back to my childhood like this magical spread. It is thick, creamy, yet spreadable all at the same time. And let’s not forget the aroma. Opening a jar of it and I am instantly back in my mother’s kitchen as six-year-old just home from school. There in front of me on a pink melamine plate, was my after-school snack. A peanut butter sandwich! Oh peanut butter, how I love you.
While the store-bought peanut butter of my childhood created fond memories, I was young enough (and naive enough) that I was not worried about the label. Little did I know what else was in the jar besides peanuts. Some ingredients that ended up in my PB&J included: Mono and Diglycerides, Fully Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Folic Acid, Rapeseed Oil, and Sugar.
Now as an adult, I am very concerned with what I eat and avoid artificial ingredients. Surely homemade peanut butter can be made without all of that extra stuff? So with Vitamix in hand, I set out to create peanut butter that would rival my childhood memories. What I ended up with was something that blew those memories away!
Homemade Peanut Butter
- 1 1/2 C. roasted peanuts, shelled and skins removed
- 1/4 tsp. sea salt
(Note: since I do not add oil to this recipe, there is not a layer of oil on the surface of the peanut butter. Each time I have made this recipe… no oil layer.)
Place peanuts and salt in a high-powered blender, such as a Vitamix. Blend on a high setting for 1 full minute. Tamp down peanuts as needed so all of the nuts are blended. Pulse as needed to get to the desired consistency. NOTE: I blend for almost 2 minutes to get the creamy texture I like. Listen to your blender and turn off if it sounds like the motor is struggling. If you desire a thinner, creamier texture, drizzle in a little peanut oil.
This peanut butter has a great peanut flavor. Try a taste of this and then try a taste of one of the ‘big’ label brands. Taste a difference? Does the texture feel different?
To store your luscious spread, select a container with lid that secures. Personally, I prefer to use a glass canning jar, that way I can see the level of the peanut butter which helps me determine when to make the next batch. As a hint: use the ‘wide mouth’ jars. It is easier to scrape out ensuring that you get every last bit of goodness.
You can still make that favorite after-school-snack, but this time, you can take all the credit by feeding your family homemade peanut butter. All it takes are just two ingredients, a sturdy blender, and the will power to not eat it all at once. Create new family memories with a childhood favorite snack, but this time you can take all the credit!
Now my Son was a huge fan of Peanut butter.. I never was, but thank you so much for this recipe 🙂
You are welcome. I have always loved peanut butter, but as adult, I am avoiding items that contain artificial sweeteners and preservatives. In homemade peanut butter, you control the ingredients… and this has a real peanutty flavor.
I have tried to make peanut butter but alas, my food processor won’t stand for it but once I get a new one I will most definately be making my own.
With my previous blender, I could only dream of homemade peanut butter so I know what you mean. But these days, I now have a blender that will allow me to make this (as well as almond butter, pecan butter, sunflower butter…). I also like making small batches since this does not have any preservatives in it.
I will continue to just dream for now 🙂 Have made some of the softer nut and seed butters though and enjoy them.
What other nut butters did you make with your current blender? I bet they tasted great. (I really enjoy homemade nut butters on homemade bread with jam.)
I have made sunflower, cashew and sunflower& cashew together which was yummy. I tried walnut but didn’t really like it.
I have thought about walnut butter, but thought that it may have too strong of a flavor. The other butters sound great, especially the cashew. 🙂
Cashews is delicious, unfortunately expensive too though but much cheaper than a commercial brand. I don’t make it often because of the price, that’s why I added sunflower seeds to it one day – really very nice.
That is great idea… adding sunflower seeds to the cashews. Will have to try that. Thank you for the hint.
We add a little honey to our home made PB to sweeten it up for a treat. Still natural but oh so yummy!
Great idea for those who like little more sweetness to their peanut butter. But freshly made peanut butter is so good!
I will testify to the deliciousness of your pb–and it does not develop a layer of oil either!
While I know that you can stir the oil back into the peanut butter, I figured why not make peanut butter without it? Great flavor, fewer ingredients… easy to make. Glad you like it!
This is such a easy recipe! And I bet is tastes amazing 🙂
It really is easy to make peanut butter and the flavor truly tastes of peanuts.
A great choice to make your own peanut butter instead of the toxic processed junk. Thanks for all your information and recipe on Real Food Fridays Blog Hop
Agreed… and that freshly made peanut butter is even better on a loaf of homemade bread.
I love homemade peanut butter and it’s s easy to make! Plus it’s so much better for you! Thanks for sharing your post on the HomeAcre Hop, hope to see you again tomorrow! – Nancy The Home Acre Hop
You are welcome! I will be back. Have a great day.