Love and Olive Oil

Homemade Chocolate Almond Butter

Homemade Chocolate Almond Butter from @loveandoliveoil

Now that I’ve broken the proverbial seal on the fabulous world of homemade nut butters, I can quickly see it becoming an obsession.

One of my favorite spreads is a cocoa almond spread from Trader Joe’s. Basically an almond version of Nutella. And now that I knew my trusty Vitamix could power through two cups of nuts in no time, I set out to make a homemade version.

It’s definitely more rustic than the store-bought version. While I wouldn’t call it chunky, it’s got a fine grit to it; a homemade character that makes it just that much better. This butter is on the thick side, especially if chilled, but I find it melts perfectly into the nooks and crannies of your morning toaster waffle (not everything can be homemade, right?) However, if you prefer a thinner butter, you can easily add a bit of vegetable oil or even something like coconut oil to loosen it up a bit.

Homemade Chocolate Almond Butter from @loveandoliveoil

I tried two versions, one with cocoa powder and one with chocolate chips. The chips were the resounding favorite, with much a robust chocolate flavor on the forefront. And you don’t even have to melt the chips beforehand: the heat generated by the friction of the Vitamix is more than enough to meld the chips and the almonds together. I cannot say if a food processor would have the same result here, so use your best judgement. At the very least you’ll get, what, chocolate chip almond butter? Doesn’t sound half bad, honestly.

Homemade Chocolate Almond Butter

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Ingredients:

  • 2 cups (12 ounces) dry toasted, unsalted almonds
  • 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 tablespoon sugar, or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Directions:

  1. Place almonds, chocolate chips, sugar, and salt in the canister of a Vitamix and secure lid with the tamper in place. Turn machine on at the lowest speed, and gradually increase the speed to Variable 10, then to High, using the tamper to keep the nuts moving. Continue to mix for another minute or so, until the butter begins to flow freely through the blades.
  2. Alternatively, you can prepare this in a food processor. Start with the almonds and process on high speed, scraping the sides/bottom as needed, for 5 to 15 minutes or until mixture is smooth to your liking. Melt chocolate chips separately and then mix in along with sugar and sea salt.
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43 Comments

  1. I use almonds and white walnuts and when I get to the chocolate (yum) I use Hershey’s no sugar added syrup and wow.

  2. I just made it! ? very delicious ? ?

  3. This recipe sounds great, but I don’t have a Vitamix or food processor. Would it work making it with shop bought ground almonds? Has anyone tried? Thanks.

  4. Any tips for getting as much as possible out of the Vitamix?  Things always stick around the blades.

  5. Hi Lindsay,

    I was wondering if the almond butter had to be refrigerated or if it’s ok to keep out at room temperature?

    Also, I have made your recipe twice now and it is FANTASTIC. Every single person in my family loved it and were fighting over the last spread.
    The first time I made it, I used the Vitamix. I’m not sure if it’s just my Vitamix but it sounded like the motor was being overworked. I was too scared to have the speed reach 10. At about 6, the Vitamix stopped working. My mom said that that has happened before and we realized there was a lot if build up of the butter underneath the blades. It worked fine after clearing that up.

    The second time around I used my food processor and the consistency on that came out a lot better. 

    Overall, I am in love with this recipe. Thank you for sharing it with us.  :)

  6. The chocolate almond butter looks amazing. I could just sit down with a jar and spoon and enjoys myself.

  7. I don’t have a Vitamix! Is there any hope for me making this using a food processor?

    • Yes, see the instructions for a food processor version. Someone tried it and it seemed to work better with the chocolate melted and added in after the fact, so I might try that. :)

  8. Awesome! We have a little one in our family that has a peanut allergy and they just came for a visit, so I made this and he ate it on everything! 

  9. I have read and heard so much about nut butters, this looks amazing, for sure going to give it a try.  Thanks

  10. Nope, sorry this recipe did not work for me.   My food processor makes nut butters just fine — I was skeptical about adding in the chocolate chips from the beginning, but went with it since it worked for you.  But for me the oil never separated out from the almonds like it does when you make almond butter– it all just formed into a thick paste.  And I did let it grind for a long time, expecting it to liquefy.   

    However, I’m hoping  I can make cookies with that paste by adding some egg whites!   

    • Good to know – I guess food processors maybe don’t generate the residual heat that my vitamix did. In which case probably better to melt the chocolate and add it after the fact. Glad you can use it regardless though! :)

  11. Definitely yummy. I made the chocolate almond butter for a friend and she absolutely loves it. Loves it a little too much and takes mine also.

  12. I love that cocoa almond butter too so I love this!

  13. This looks dangerous!

  14. ahh this looks so good Linds! been thinking about making my own nut butters myself, and this has me totally inspired :)

  15. Your blog is amazing. It’s so inspiring.
    Love this post! It looks delicious.

    Have a wonderful day.

    xoxo
    Kelly

  16. I tried to make chocolate peanut butter last week and it turned out TERRIBLE. This looks way better than my poor effort. Not to mention I like almonds better anyway. :)

  17. This sounds absolutely fantastic. I really need a Vitamix…

  18. This looks so yummy! All you need is a spoon!

  19. Why have I not bought the TJ’s version? Oh well, now I have a homemade recipe–even better! :)

  20. I love it , what a nice texture !

  21. Almond Chocolate Butter!!! Yes, Oh, Yes! A must try for sure!

  22. I’ve never made homemade nut butter but if you say that’s where it’s at, then I am all in! This almond version of Nutella sounds yummy and I bet I would like it even better than the hazelnut variety! Delicious photos as always!

  23. Ahhhhh, I could see myself eating this on everything. Looks amazing!!

  24. I have been obsessing over Nutella lately so this sounds right up my alley. Can’t wait to make this at home. Pinned, and great pics!

  25. Pin it! I love this recipe!

  26. I’m all about the grit, I prefer my butters with a bit of chunky chew so this one looks downright apple slice dippable for my afternoon case of the chocolates!

  27. Yes, yes, yes! I want to try this, I am sure it’s delicious!

  28. Thanks for doing the cocoa powder/chocolate chip experimentation so I don’t have to! I will be more than willing, however, to test this out in my Ninja blender. That thing’s a beast.

  29. Yum!  I have been wanting to make something like this.  I bet you could use it to make brownies by adding just an egg and a little baking soda, the way you can with nutella! I’m going to have to try it.

  30. Love making my own nut butters! I have just started obsessing over almond butter! I will  have to add this into the rotation. Yum!

  31. I use a food processor to make nut butter and it always melts the chocolate chips too :)

  32. My goodness this looks amazing!! I have never had chocolate almond butter but I bet it’s amazing!

  33. Chocolate almond butter is amazing!  I love the grittiness of this spread!

  34. Oh an almond Nutella, I like the sound of that. Can’t wait to see what else you whip up.

  35. Interesting technique with just adding the nuts and chips all at once! I always add the nuts, process until smooth, then add the chips, and then process again. Ive always worried I wouldnt get that buttery smooth butter (or with a little homemade nostalgic grit which I love) if I didnt do the nuts first and on their own. Good to know! I never use cocoa powder nor melt the chips either. I add a splash of bourbon to most of my chocolate nut butters. So good :)

  36. I agree, homemade nut butters open sooo many dangerous doors!

  37. Gah!! I need this in my life so freaking bad. I would have never thought to add chocolate even though it “makes sense”. GEE WHIZ!

  38. Homemade is always, always better Lindsay. I like the grittiness of it, if you ask me! This is the best homemade nut butter I’ve ever seen. I have to try adding chocolate chips to my next batch. 

  39. Looks perfect! And we all know that homemade is always better :)

  40. That looks (and sounds) amazing! Kind of like a almond version of nutella.

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