Coconut Butter is a rich and delicious spread that is made by working with grated or flaked coconut. Buying it can be expensive, while doing it at home can save you money; the important thing is to have the right equipment. The procedure is easy, but it takes some patience.
Ingrediants
- 2 cups (190 g) of shredded or flaked dried coconut
- Salt to taste.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Make Butter with Flaked or Grated Coconut
Step 1. Put the coconut and salt in a food processor
To make coconut butter, simply work the flaked or grated coconut using a good quality food processor or blender for about 20 minutes. You can divide it into several groups and process around 650g at a time, but it all depends on the size of the blender or food processor. Here are the best equipment for this process:
- Kitchen robot.
- Ninja.
- Vitamix.
- Blendtec.
Step 2. Blend the coconut
Turn on the food processor by setting it to maximum and let it work the coconut. During processing, the coconut will release oil and turn into a spreadable paste with a consistency similar to that of peanut butter.
- If you're short on time, you can speed up the process by adding 1 or 2 tablespoons (6-12 ml) of melted coconut oil.
- The dissolved oil helps moisten and lubricate the butter. This allows you to obtain a more compact compound, so you will not have to interrupt the process often to collect the residues that remain attached to the sides of the container.
Step 3. Collect any debris remaining on the sides of the food processor bowl
As soon as the blades start spinning without processing the coconut, turn off the machine. Remove the lid and scoop the coconut residue from the sides using a spoon or silicone spatula. Pile them at the bottom of the bowl, so that they can be processed by the blades.
During processing, you will need to turn off the food processor every 30-60 seconds to collect the residues left on the sides of the bowl
Step 4. Continue blending the coconut and collecting residues from the sides of the bowl
Turning the grated coconut into butter will take about 20 minutes, during which time you will need to turn off the food processor 20-40 times. In this way you can collect the residues left on the sides of the container to incorporate them back into the mixture and proceed with processing.
At the end of the process, the coconut butter should be thick, but at the same time slightly liquid and spreadable
Step 5. Use it immediately and save any leftovers
Once you have the desired consistency, you can use the coconut butter right away.
If it leaks, transfer it to a clean, airtight glass jar. You can store it at room temperature for a couple of months, while in the refrigerator it lasts longer
Part 2 of 3: Toasting the Coconut
Step 1. Bake the grated coconut
Toasting the coconut before turning it into butter allows it to acquire exquisite toasted and caramelized notes. You can do this in 3 ways. The oven method is the most popular.
- Sprinkle the coconut on 1 or 2 baking sheets (depending on how much you intend to use to make the butter). Make sure to create a thin layer, so as to promote even cooking.
- Put the coconut in the oven preheated to 150 ° C.
- Toast the coconut in the oven for about 20 minutes. Stir it every 5 minutes to make sure it cooks and toasts evenly.
- Remove the coconut and let it cool to room temperature before using it to make butter.
Step 2. Toast it on the fire
Another method of roasting requires the use of a pan and stove. You will probably have to divide the coconut into several groups, especially if you plan on making large quantities of butter.
- Place the coconut in a large skillet. Let it cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes.
- Stir it often to prevent it from burning and promote even cooking. The coconut will be ready once it has turned golden.
- Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool before putting it in the food processor.
Step 3. Cook it in the microwave
The third roasting method requires the use of a microwave oven. In this case, the coconut should be cooked at short intervals. Since it can burn easily in the microwave, it should be cooked gradually.
- Place the coconut in a dish or bowl that is suitable for the microwave. Set the oven to high and cook at 30-second intervals. Mix it from time to time.
- The coconut takes about 8 minutes to cook. It will be ready once it turns golden.
- Let it cool for a few minutes after toasting, then move it to the blender jar to turn it into butter.
Part 3 of 3: Using Coconut Butter
Step 1. Heat the coconut butter to make it spreadable
The pulp oil becomes liquid around 24 ° C. Consequently, if your home or refrigerator temperature is lower, you will need to warm it up before you can spread it. You can heat it in the following ways:
- Cut the desired amount using a knife. Move it to a glass bowl and place it in a larger bowl filled with hot water.
- Alternatively, if you want to heat the entire jar, put it in a pot full of water and use the stove.
- Small portions can be reheated in the microwave. Heat the butter on medium power for about 15 seconds at a time. Stir it and reheat it if needed.
- Wrap the entire jar with a heating pad. Let it warm up for about half an hour.
Step 2. Butter the toast
Good, natural, and lactose-free, coconut butter is a great alternative to regular butter. You can spread it on toast, pancakes, waffles, muffins, and any other bakery product you want.
- You can also spread it on a sandwich or salty bread. However, remember that the bread will acquire light coconut notes.
- If you can't spread it easily, cut the portion you want to use and treat it with the food processor. Work it for a few minutes and add a drizzle of liquid coconut oil to make it smoother and more spreadable.
- Add 1 teaspoon to 2 tablespoons (6-15 ml) of oil, depending on how much butter you intend to work.
Step 3. Use it instead of syrups
Coconut butter can be used to garnish fruit and desserts, just like chocolate or caramel syrup. If you keep the fruit in the fridge, the coconut will harden and form a delicious solid, candy-like topping.
To treat yourself to a truly delicious dessert, cover some strawberries with a veil of coconut butter and let them harden in the freezer. Serve them like chocolate covered strawberries
Step 4. Use it for breakfast
Coconut butter is a healthy, creamy ingredient that can help spice up the first meal of the day. You can mix it with cereals, granola, oats and other breakfast foods.
Try putting it in yogurt or a smoothie
Step 5. Use it as a substitute for milk, cream and other dairy products
Coconut butter can be used in many recipes instead of milk and cream, as long as you don't mind the flavor notes it leaves. You can try:
- Use it in coffee instead of milk.
- Use it to replace dairy products in creamy sauces.
- Use it to make hot chocolate.
Step 6. Use it as a substitute for peanut butter or other nuts in various dessert recipes
Many people are allergic to nuts. Coconut butter is an excellent alternative that doesn't cause any adverse reactions.
If you need to make biscuits or cakes that require butters extracted from nuts, replace them with equal doses of coconut butter, so that even those with allergies can eat them
Advice
- For best results, use only unsweetened flaked or grated coconut.
- Avoid using sweetened, dehydrated, fresh or low-fat coconut, as it does not produce enough oil to turn into butter.
