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There is one thing that will always and forever satisfy me right before I go to a bed — and that is a spoonful of peanut butter.
If you’ve never made homemade peanut butter, you should know three things.
While recipe testing, I made batches with both raw peanuts and dry roasted. I much prefer dry roasted, as they release their oil a bit easier, and the end result turns out naturally sweeter because the naturally present sugar in peanuts concentrate during roasting, just like other vegetables.
It’s not uncommon for me to have a couple of jars in my refrigerator, from plain to fun variations like this version with dried Montmorency tart cherries and sea salt. The tart cherries add a bit of texture, along with a fruity, sweet-tart punch. I think it tastes kind of like peanut butter and jelly, in one!
Montmorency tart cherries not only taste great, but they also help with sleep, as one of the few food sources that have an abundant source of melatonin. Melatonin has been shown to improve the quality and duration of sleep, reduce the severity of insomnia, and increase overall sleep efficiency. Especially important since we just rolled into daylight savings time and lost a bit of shut eye.
Which makes a spoonful of this peanut butter before bed even more appropriate, right?
note: To ensure optimal smoothness, I add one teaspoon of avocado oil (the neutral flavor is key, as well as the fact that quality sources are easier to come by, unlike some vegetable oils.) and use my Blendtec blender. I’ve spoken before about how much I love the smaller jar you can get for it, called the Twister jar, that works incredibly well for nut butters. You can certainly use a food processor as well.
Once you’ve made the peanut butter and it sits in your pantry or refrigerator, it might have a little bit of oil that rises to the top. Here’s what I’ve found to be the best way to mix natural peanut butter.
xo,
Amanda
SCALE:
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I love this butter a lot. It’s amazing and suits perfectly the lazy person like me xD
This makes me think of peanut butter and jelly flavored peanut butter! Amazing! I don’t know if I have the patience to make my own nut butter, but I have seen so many recipes and I hear it’s seriously worth it. I might have to use this idea and use blueberries or raspberries!
Peanut butter is my go-to food. Not much has changed since those days as a kid with my PB sandwiches! Love the sound of the tart cherries in here. Will try for sure!
totally saw this on your instagram Amanda, and i’ve been obsessed with the idea of making peanut butter with cherries ever since. it looks SO SMOOTH and creamy. definitely a must-try. X
i think you’ll love it! the tart cherries add just a little texture to the ultra creamy pb. enjoy!
That peanut and cherry combination is one of my favorites, but I’ve never thought of doing it like this! Thanks for the inspo Amanda! I hope all is well :) xo
they are such a good match! a little tart, a little sweet and the creamy… bliss
This combo sounds incredible. PB&J with the hassle of sticky J… somehow I always manage to get it everywhere. I’m with you on the roasting nuts for nut butter. The flavor is so much better. Slightly sweeter and way ore depth.
ah, yes, without the sticky! definitely a new favorite in our house.