‘Tis the season for gift giving! In the past, I was known for my holiday trays filled with cookies, fudge, and all sorts of unhealthy treats. Now that I follow more of a “real food diet” (i.e. I don’t eat processed food), I stick to making healthier holiday treats.
Since the cost of using high-quality healthy ingredients can add up – that tends to mean 1-2 smaller homemade gifts vs a gigantic holiday tray. And let’s be honest, wouldn’t you rather have one tasty and guilt-free treat vs. a huge tray of unhealthy stuff?
Enter: Spiced Holiday Nut Butter.
I was set on using walnuts to make these homemade nut butter gift jars. I wanted to use walnuts because they’re unique (in the world of nut butters at least) and they’re more affordable than most other nuts out there: cashews, pecans, almonds, macadamia etc. I buy my walnuts in bulk from Costco (my store sells organic walnuts!).
Deciding on how to flavor my walnut butter took a while… I mean, there are so many different possible flavor combinations.
Since I’m a big fan of cinnamon raisin (see: cinnamon raisin n’oatmeal and cinnamon raisin cookies), I decided to try a cinnamon raisin walnut butter and it turned out perfect. It’s sweet, salty, and of course nutty.
To give this homemade nut butter a personal touch, I bought cute little jelly jars and made gift tags. This is the time of year when I try and get a little crafty.
Are you giving any DIY gifts away this holiday season? Tell me what you’re making!
Ingredients
- 2 cups walnuts
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon walnut oil (or another neutral oil like avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup raisins
Instructions
- Soak the walnuts overnight: place them in a mason jar and then cover them with filtered water.
- After 8-12 hours, drain the water.
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- Spread the walnuts in a single layer on a baking sheet and toast for 12-15 minutes, or until the walnuts are toasted.
- Once the walnuts have cooled, put them in a powerful food processor (or a twister jar if using a Blendtec) along with the maple syrup, oil, cinnamon, salt. Blend until smooth.
- Add the raisins and mix well.
Helene says
Just soaking the walnuts over night and was wondering how long the butter will last in the fridge
Many thanks
By the way
I have made quite a few of your recipes and they are all fab !!!!
Thank you so much
Glad I have found you
Xxxx
My Heart Beets says
Helene, I’d think it would be fine for a couple of weeks – how’d it turn out for you? I’m glad you’re enjoying my recipes!