Do I have a sweet recipe for you today! During the summer I made a ton of more "festive" holiday recipes (unintentionally), so I have been saving them for just this season! Think things like cinnamon, snickerdoodles, sweetness, gingerbread, and christmasy love! That will all be coming at you in the next few weeks leading up to THE BEST days of the year π For now I'm sharing a super fun homemade nut butter! What could be better than that!?
Say hello to my Roasted Sweet Vanilla Pecan Butter! You all know by now that I have an undieing love for cashews (the best nut ever...ever!). But, my heart does have a special place for the beautiful pecan as well. I really never ate nuts when I was younger. We just never had them in the house, especially the more expensive ones like pecans. So I wasn't sure I liked them until I became a nut fanatic a few years ago.
However, now I can tell you that I love pecans! I love all nuts for that matter! Well, except walnuts. They are okay, but I wouldn't freeing choose to eat them. They definitely rank last in my opinion. Pecans though, they are near the top. They're sweet like cashews, but a little more robust. Of course I love eating them raw, unsalted, and cold from the fridge just like cashews. That keeps them a little chewy if you will, just how I like it! But roasted and sweet isn't bad either π
Don't pecans just feel like the holidays? They are one of the holiday nuts...right? I think so! Plus this sweet vanilla butter is the perfect homemade gift! You can of course eat it all yourself (like I did), but now since it is the holiday season and not summer...why not put it in a pretty glass jar and gift it to a loved one! So easy and they will LOVE you π If someone made me homemade nut butter I would be eternally grateful! **hint hint**
You know what's great about pecans? They must have more oils in them, because they blended into the best, smoothest, and creamiest butter! Even my Ninja Ultima was able to handle it! Plus, anytime you roast the nuts before making a nut butter, that just releases the oils more and makes blending much easier without have to add your own oil.
Roasted Sweet Vanilla Pecan Butter
Ingredients: (serves 6-8)
+ 2 Heaping Cups of Raw Unsalted Pecans
+ 1 Tsp Pure Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract
+ 6 Drops of Vanilla Stevia
Directions:
+ Preheat the oven to 350ΒΊF.
+ Line a baking sheet with parchment or lightly oiled foil. Spread your pecans evenly on the sheet and bake for about 7 minutes (you'll start to smell them and they'll glisten!)
+ Remove the pecans and let cool for a few minutes. Then add them to a high-powered blender or food processor. Blend until the pecans form a flour-y meal texture.
+ Now add the vanilla extract and stevia. Blend again, scraping the sides of the container a few times, until the mixture becomes a lovely creamy butter!
+ Store in a glass jar with a tight lid, in the refrigerator!
O yea, not only does your house smell lovely when the pecans are roasting, but once you put them in the blender with the vanilla...o my! My whole kitchen smelled like festive holiday love...in the dog days of summer π The best of both worlds, right?
I hope you decide to make this and make it as a gift! It is such a fabulous spread for anything! From bread, to apples, to carrots...to just, you know...a spoon! And for more of my homemade nut butter, make sure you check out this cinnamon roasted almond butter and this raw cashew butter!
So tell me:
+ What is you favorite and least favorite nut?
+ Did you grow up eating nuts or is it something more new? I'm pretty sure I only ever really had peanuts and sunflower seeds as a kid. Sad life!
*Recipe linking up for the week! WIAW, Allergy Free Wednesdays,Β #RecipeFridays,Β #RecipeOfTheWeek, #StrangeButGood, Gluten-Free Wednesdays, Real Food Friday,Β Gluten-Free Fridays, Tasty Tuesdays, Savoring Saturdays, Healthy Vegan Fridays,Β #WeekendBites, Real Food Recipe Roundup,Β Tasty Tuesdays,Β Meatless Mondays, Lenaβs Tasty Tuesdays!*
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Sabrina Modelle
This looks so freaking delicious. I too consider cashews and pecans the best nuts. I do love walnuts, though... especially when I crack them myself. Thanks for sharing this. I love making my own nut butter and can't wait to try this one.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Cashews will always be king! I do like walnuts more if I crack them myself too!
Thanks Sabrina!
Jessica (Savory Experiments)
Thank you for sharing at the Wednesday Roundup! Xo- Jessica
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Jessica!
Sharon Rowe
Hi I am popping over from How To Get Organized At home, I just wanted to say thank you for sharing such a great post.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Sharon!
Jen
This looks absolutely divine! This will be a featured post on Homestead Blog Hop this week. Hope to see you on Wednesday!
Jen
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Jen!
Kelly- Simple Life Mom
What a great idea to use different kind of nuts! I'm definitely going to try this. Pinned and Tweeted.
Thanks for linking up on the Wednesday Homestead Blog Hop!! π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Kelly!
kimmythevegan
Mmmm - sounds super delicious. I've tried making homemade nut butter a few times... it's so time consuming, I think because I just add the nuts without anything to help it come out smoothly (like oil or sweetener). Love the toasted factor too! Thanks for sharing this at Healthy Vegan Fridays - I have pinned this awesome recipe to our board.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha! If you have a good half hour and some patience, it is so worth it!
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life
Your pecan butter sounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing it with us at Foodie Fridays! Pinning to a couple of boards! Can't wait to try it! Hope we will see you again tonight...the party is in progress now!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
vegetarianmamma (Cindy)
Thanks for linking up at our Gluten Free Fridays Party! I have tweeted and pinned your entry to our Gluten Free Fridays board on Pinterest! π I can't wait to see what you share next time!
-Cindy
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Diane Balch
Not only is this a sweet treat, but I would say it is pretty healthy too. PInned. Thanks for sharing this with us on Weekend Bites.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Of course! Thanks Diane π
Judy
Thanks for coming and linking up at our Happy Holidays Link Party. We'd like to thank you for making this party a blast. Happy Holidays and thanks for participating! ~Judy
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Alex Caspero MA,RD (@delishknowledge)
Love pecans as well! One of my favorite nuts, especially this time of year- I can't get enough! This butter looks so delicious! Can't wait to make it!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Alex! XOXO
Stephanie
How delicious! Thank you so much for linking up at Tasty Tuesday! Your recipe has been pinned to the Tasty Tuesday Pinterest board! Please join us again this week!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Judy
Thanks for coming and linking up at The Weekend Social. Please be sure to come back next week starting Thursdays at 9PM EST The Midnight Baker! I hope to see you there!
Judy
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Honest mum
Looks lovely, sad I can't eat nuts! Thanks for linking up to #tastytuesdays
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Keisha | The Girl Next Door is Black
This sounds (and looks) absolutely delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Keisha!!
purelytwins
oh girl you know we would love this π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, of course π XOXO
Kathy
I have a question. I don't have stevia. Can I use raw honey instead?
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Why not!? But you'll get a honey taste added to it....so honey vanilla π You'll have to play with the amount too since you're using a heavy liquid.
Marla
Hi Rebecca,
This sounds fabulous - delicious & healthy. I can only imagine the great aroma that would be through your house when baking this. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Pinned & twitted!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
O yes! Thanks Marla π
Lynne Streeter Childress
I want to go to there. That looks SOOOO yummy. Sharing on Facebook now.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha! Thank you Lynne π
Montana @ Pretty Lil Mudder
OMG this looks and sounds amazing! I need this- like now. I've been searching all over for some sweet nut butter other than peanut butter but can't find any at local grocery stores. I'll just make my own now! Thanks for linking up with Foodie Fridays!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
When you have the time (and motivation!) making your own is SO much better anyway! XOXO
Bethany
This looks like it would taste really yummy!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Bethany!
Jennifer Weinberg MD (@SimplePureWhole)
Looks delicious! What a lovely nut butter option.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table
Thanks for linking this us! Pecans are my favorite nut!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
They are pretty damn good π
Annmarie
Looks delicious π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Ali the Skinny GF Chef
I'm looking forward to you linking this one up on Savoring Saturdays! It would make the prettiest Christmas gifts! Will let you know when I have the post up. hugs!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you so much Ali! XOXO
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life
This looks delicious, Rebecca! Visiting from the Friday Flash blog but I am hoping you are going to share this at Foodie Fridays too! Maybe you already did! π I'm making my party rounds right now! Have a great night!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Heidy@The McCallumsShamrockPatch
Thank you so much for stopping by #PureBlogLove with this fantastic recipe!! I hope we will see you again Next week at 8 pm EST time when we begin a new celebration!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks.
Kristy @ Southern In Law
Uh, yum?! This looks AMAZING!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, thank you Kristy! XOXO
Carly
Oh my! I've had a Vitamix for years and somehow STILL have never made my own nut butter. This sounds like the perfect recipe to try out. I think I'll have to do some gifting with this recipe as well.
Thanks!
http://www.playingforeats.com | Carly
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
If you have a Vitamix.....it isn't even an option to NOT make your own nut butter!
Sam @ PancakeWarriors
OMG Yummy!! I love fun nut butters - pecan and hazelnut together is amazing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Sounds like a winning combo! Gotta try it π
Lean Lena
Sold! I am a huge fan of pretty much any nut butter π
Thanks for linking up with Tasty Tuesday this week, Rebecca, and for linking back! Really appreciate it.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Same here Lena π
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine
That looks heavenly! I love pecans and have been using them a lot this year.
I had nuts as a kid-- I was allergic to peanuts, so my mom would always buy me deluxe mixed nuts (the kind with no peanuts). I loved them-- and still love nuts and eat them every day. I have to say though-- walnuts are one of my favs! Love them on top of salads, yogurt, smoothies-- yes, def. my fav.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!!!
Well at least you got exposed ro the world of other various tree nuts! I eat them every day all day too π
Alison
What a great idea, I never thought of making pecan or any nut butter. I actually have some pecans in the cupboard and this seems a good use for them
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Perfect timing then!
Sarah @ SnixyKitchen
I love the savory and sweet combination of the vanilla and the pecans. I want to spread this on all my muffins this season!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, no savory at all here just sweet!
Sarah @ SnixyKitchen
Haha - I just meant thatI usually think of pecan butter as a savory dimension, but with the vanilla and stevia, it's definitely a sweet treat. Either way - I want some;P
Emma @em-poweredwellness
This looks fantastic. I love pecans, and have never even thought to make them into a nut butter! My least favorite nut is cashews, ick
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Every nut is the perfect nut for butter π
I'm just going to pretend you didn't say that on this blog........haha!
Linz @ Itz Linz
WANT! NEED! MUST HAVE!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I'll send it as my gift to you π
Bethany
This looks amazing!! I have never tried pecan butter but always wanted to!! I am now obsessed with making my own nut butters!! This is a great one to add to the collection!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It is! I always feel so accomplished when I add a homemade nut butter to the stash! Haha π
Emily @SinfulNutrition
I've never had pecan butter, but I could so get down with this! I imagine this would be heavenly on pancakes!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Omg! You just made my day! This and pancakes!!!! Perfect idea!
Tianna
this looks so delicious! I will have to try this one!! thank you β₯
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank YOU! XOXO
Nikki Vergakes
I didn't know making nut butter was so easy. I must try!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It is!
Michele @ paleorunningmomma
I love pecans and this sounds and looks so delicious. Do you think raw honey would work in place of stevia? Or maybe maple syrup?
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well of course, but you have to play around with the amount, and if it isn't a neutral flavor, it will taste different (i.e. like honey or maple, lol!)
Yaitza
OMG! Pecan Butter! Looks dreamy.. Today just keeps getting and better with all these delicious recipes I keep seeing ;o)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
O yes! You know....this would be perfect in that bowl of oatmeal of yours π
Elizabeth @ Enjoy Every Bite
I've never tried pecan butter but this looks delicious! And don't you just feel kind of sad for walnuts, they are always my least favorite nut too!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, I do feel bad for them! They just don't....cut it for me :/
Victoria Sneden
OMG YUM. I die. Can't wait to try this recipe out, mostly bummed that I read this while I was starving ha!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, o man, I am terribly sorry π
Rachel
That sounds really good! I love nut butters of all kinds.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Same here Rachel π XOXO
Lauren Vacula @ alovelysideproject.com
This. looks. amazing. I must try immediately. definitely would be a great gift for the holidays too!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahaha, thank you Lauren! I need to make myself some more IMMEDIATELY!
Dietitian Jess
Sounds amazingggg I think anyone would love it as a gift! I'm with you, I didnt grow up eating all the nuts that I do now, mostly just peanuts unfortunately π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's sad! We need to spread the nut love more!
Kelly // The Pretty Bee: Cooking & Creating
This sounds wonderful! What a treat for the holidays!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you! It is the perfect edible gift!
Leigha @ The Yooper Girl
OH MY GOODNESS. Oh. My. Goodness. This looks absolutely incredible!!! I've never had pecan butter before but I loove pecans so I'm sure I'd like it!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, thank you! Then you HAVE to make some! Pecan butter rocks!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl
I can only imagine how delicious this is! I bet it would be great in cookies, too!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Ah, yes! I need to get baking now!
Linda @ Veganosity
Genius! I love pecans, but never had pecan butter. I can smell the roasted pecans and vanilla already, I'm going to run over to Costco and buy a huge bag of pecans today! Thanks for the great recipe Rebecca. π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yay! You really should π You're house will smell ultra-festive!
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment
Almond butter and cashew butter are my faves now. But I grew up on peanut butter.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Same here! But peanut butter will NEVER die!
Cassie
I've been totally thinking about making pecan butter but you beat me to it, girlie. This looks so good!! I can't wait to try making once I go through my insane supply of nut butter (that IS dwindling, finally...)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, I know! I always either have SO much nut butter...or not enough π
Shashi @ runninsrilankan
I have never ever thought of making pecan butter - what a brilliant idea! And thanks for the tip on roasting them before blending them! I so gotta try this! Btw - have you tried making almond butter in your ninja too? If so, then I was wondering how does your ninja handle the almonds? I'm asking as the Ninja is on sale at Costco right now and Iam debating about getting it.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yea! I have a recipe for almond butter on the blog π But really, if you could get a vitamix...all the better. I really don't like the Ninja. I have the Ninja Ultima, but I don't think it was with the money we spent.
Ruthie@She'sWickedHealthy
Wow, this looks too good! Definitely one to add to my nut butter collection! π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes it is! Thanks Ruthie!
Natalie
You had me at "sweet" and "vanilla" all in one title! Yummy yum yum...it looks good enough to drink π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha π It's pretty smooth...drink away π HAHA!
Pamela
This looks delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Whitney @ Sweet Cayenne
Pecan Butter is definitely my favorite among all the nut butters and your version looks delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Woohoo! Thank you Whitney!
Julie@Sweet and Spicy Monkey
Sounds delicious and I love your photos!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables
I used to hate brazil nuts, but when I had FRESH ones... not the ones from the mixed nuts can.. they became one of my favorites. My least favorite is pine nuts.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I just never BUY Brazil! I think I need to though π
Pine nuts are SO expensive, haha! But I guess they are good for pesto π
Farrah
Yum! Love this recipe and definitely looking forward to your future festive recipes as well! I need to suck it up and just get a vanilla bean at some point. :]
I can't choose a favorite nut. I love them all! Almonds and pistachios might be my top two though!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You don't need a vanilla bean! Just real good pure quality extrat π
Two of the Earth's finest! Nut Love <3
Farrah
True that! I just want to be fancy and try using one someday, heh heh heh. π
Angela | Great Body & Skin
This looks really amazing! Tasty, clean, gluten free, lactose free ... nothing more to wish for! Great job!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, thanks Angela!
AJ @ NutriFitMama
I have made almond utter, but never pecan butter. And Vanilla Pecan Butter sounds absolutely divine! YUM!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It may just be better than almond π
Renee @ Bendiful Blog
Yummm I need to make my own nut butter one of these days I'l get around to it. Vanilla sounds delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You must! You will be so happy when you do!
jess meddows
rebecca, this looks just delicious! Such a fantastic recipe for us vegans, too! π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It is SO good! But when is nut butter NOT good π
Jen
This looks SO delicious! I recently made a maple walnut butter that might change your mind about walnuts. Pecans are much sweeter, though and I will definitely try this recipe. I love all nuts - unfortunately I have a cashew allergy (which really stinks when you're eating a plant based diet!). I'd have to say pistachios are my favorite, and my least favorite might be Brazil nuts, but I still like them.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well yea...maple walnut sounds heavenly!
Cashews...O NO! That's sad π I feel for you my friend!
Pistachios are great! and I agree about Brazil nuts being down there too. But yea, nuts just rock!
Kierston
I'm always amazed at how easy nut butters are to make...although I have yet to try it myself! lol
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It is easy! I always thought it would be hard too, until I just went out and did it!