Coconut Butter – What is it? Where do I buy it? Can I make my own? Is it the same thing as coconut oil? And how on earth do I use it?
Bring out the mittens? In Texas summertime, it’s considered a cold front if the temperature doesn’t reach 100 degrees. Today, therefore, we’re experiencing a cold front. It’s only going to be 99. The sweltering weather is bad for almost everything: growing plants, running outdoors, paying your air-conditioning bill… However, there’s one thing you can do really well in the heat:
Make homemade coconut butter!
It took me just 10 minutes to make an entire jar’s-worth of coconut butter yesterday. Then I spent much more time chasing the capricious light all around my little house, trying to photograph said coconut butter.
Repeatedly eating my props didn’t help. 😕
This stuff is dangerous.
I can go through a jar of homemade or Artisana coconut butter in less than a week.
My favorite way to eat it is to spread it into candy molds, freeze, and eat what I call “Coconut Melties” straight from the freezer. Or spread the coconut butter on banana bread or stir it into oatmeal… I love that too. Here is a link to all of my coconut butter recipes:
70 Healthy Coconut Butter Recipes
Coconut Butter & Coconut Oil FAQ
Over and over, I’m receiving the same questions regarding coconut butter and coconut oil.
While I try to answer as many of these questions as I can in the comment section, I understand why no one would want to read though the overwhelming number of comments (many of which are repeats) to see if a particular question about coconut butter has been answered. To make it easier, I’ve rounded up the most-frequently-asked coconut butter questions and am posting the answers all in one place.
Tip: Did you know that if you press “control f” you can search for a key word on any webpage? This trick has saved me a lot of time, and I wish more people knew about it!
1. Can I make my own coconut butter?
Yes! You can find the easy recipe here: How To Make Coconut Butter.
2. Is there a difference between coconut oil and coconut butter?
There is definitely a difference between the two. Think peanut butter vs. peanut oil. One is thick and smooth, while the other is liquid at room temperature. Coconut butter includes the meat of the coconut, while coconut oil does not.
3. Can I use coconut oil whenever a recipe calls for coconut butter?
It depends on the recipe. Many recipes that call for coconut butter won’t be the same if you substitute coconut oil. Some readers say they’ve successfully made my fudge recipes with the oil instead of the butter, but I wouldn’t recommend it for best results. Coconut butter will yield a much richer texture. Same thing with the candy or peppermint bark recipes I’ve posted.
However, it is fine to use in the famous Coconut Crack Bars.
4. How do I melt hardened coconut butter?
Coconut butter is strange. Depending on the climate (temperature and humidity), it can be smooth, liquidy, rock-hard, or even crumbly. It also burns very quickly, so I’d caution against trying to microwave the jar, at least for anything longer than 15 seconds. A few options: You can stick it in a warm (not hot) oven for a few minutes. Preheat the oven to 350 F and stick the coconut butter inside immediately after turning the oven on. Take it out after five minutes–the oven will never actually get up to 350 degrees. Often, after I’ve cooked something, I’ll turn the oven off and then stick the coconut butter jar into the oven as it cools. Or you can make a water bath (I haven’t done this, but I know others have). Or, if you only need a small amount, you can take some out and place it on a candle warmer. If it’s too dry, I like to melt a little virgin coconut oil and stir it into the coconut butter to get it smooth again.
Or… just come to Texas. 
5. My attempt at homemade coconut butter never turned into butter. What did I do wrong?
Maybe nothing. I’ve never encountered problems making homemade coconut butter, and it works for many others as well… but for some reason (it might have to do with climate), a few readers aren’t able to achieve the buttery spread. For best results, be sure to use a whole bag so there’s enough to blend smoothly. Also, if it’s not getting smooth, add a little melted virgin coconut oil to the blender.
6. When making coconut butter, can I sub ____ for the shredded coconut?
I’ve only tried this with Let’s Do Organic brand unsweetened coconut shreds or unsweetened coconut shreds from the bulk aisle of the grocery store. So I don’t know if works with sweetened coconut shreds, reduced-fat coconut shreds, or fresh coconut.
7. How do you store coconut butter?
Store homemade coconut butter in a sealed container or glass jar. There is no need to refrigerate it, and the coconut butter will last for at least a few months in the pantry… that is if you don’t eat it all first! Mine lasts for about a day. Seriously, I might have an addiction…
8. Where can I buy coconut butter?
While coconut butter used to be hard to find, it’s now widely available even in regular grocery stores. Look in the natural food section of most grocery stores, or try the nut butter aisle of Whole Foods or your local health food store. You can also find it online at stores like Vitacost, Thrive Market, iHerb, Swanson, and Amazon. Brands that sell coconut butter include Artisana, Maranatha, Nutiva, Nikki’s, and Dastony.
Links Of The Day:
(The original version of the internet famous recipe!)
I really want o know if ‘coconut’ butter is actually the same as ‘creamed coconut’. Here in the UK creamed coconut is sold as little solid bricks weighing 200g, and it is in a plastic bag inside a cardboard box. The nutrition breakdown on the side is: Fat 63.6%; carbs 7.7%; protein 7.1% and the coconut butter (aka coconut bliss) is sold in a glass jar of 250g and the nutrition breakdown is: Fat 66.4%; carbs 23.5% (of which sugars is 7.4% meaning the rest is fibre and not metabolised); and protein 6.6%. These are basically so similar that I reckon they are actually interchangeable in recipes, but I would like your thoughts on it too please.
Thanks in advance
Heya!
Was just wondering have you ever made coconut frosting with natural food dye and see any difference in colour once placed in a cool area ? As I’ve noticed sometimes the Frosting changes colour when exposed to cold temperatures which is annoying as j want to create coloured coconut butt r frostings, do you know any natural color preservative that would help it from doing this?
Thanks
Alicia
I’ll definitely need to try melting coconut butter again; the first time I tried it didn’t really work out. haha
Do you think you could substitute coconut butter for cocoa butter (when making chocolate)?? Thanks girl! 🙂
This is the first time I have made a recipe with coconut oil. When I went to the store, I noticed there was coconut oil and coconut cooking oil. I am making the oatmeal breakfast cupcakes to go recipe, and wanted to know which one I should use? On the side of the bottle it says that it can be used as an alternative to regular coconut oil but I just was not sure. What fat-free vegetable oil do you recommend using as well?
Can you use cocnut butter for cocnut pulling with the same results? Thanks Danny
Hey love this recipe!!!
Btw have you ever mixed natural colour onto the coconut to make a frosting? If so have you noticed a change in colour depending on climate change? How would I overcome this issue as it could be mistankly look like mould although it taste fine!!!! Thank you xx
Is coconut butter the same as coconut cream concentrate? I buy the concentrate at Tropical Traditions; it is like butter consistency and doesn’t melt like oil in room temp.
I was glancing over the banana pudding recipe and unfortunately( for me anyway) noticed that it contained coconut butter. I am allergic to coconuts, as well as all nuts. Is there an alternative that I could use for this recipe?
You could try Sunbutter?
Katie,
Yes, you can use fresh coconuts. By this I mean the brown mature coconuts. I have a coconut tree so I use those. Or you can buy coconuts at the grocery store; the browns nut in the hard shell. I show some videos on my website to show people all the steps from removing the coconut from the husk to grating it right in the shell, to making the coconut butter. P.S. Thanks for all your wonderful recipes, my wife regularly visits your site for tasty delights!
Hello!
i ” JUST ” found you … and let me say.. THANK YOU .. for the Control F tip!
W0W…. i never knew this ! haha fantastic !
I have just ( yesterday ) made this exact thing ! 🙂
i was wondering.. you said you used your Vitamix.. but did not mention the Wet or Dry blade… most people i am sure probably think Vitamix.. one container.. but if your a little seasoned.. you know there are two :).. anyhow.. i wanted to mention this cause its same thing i find allot … people don’t mention which blade . SO.. while making mine yesterday.. i used same product you mentioned, though mine is packaged differently.. and maybe that is because i am in Canada.. don’t know… but i found it worked.. but my Vita-mix started cooking it ! lol … smelled great.. but i had to give it breaks.. and afterwards i found it was still not making this ” Creamy ” type that i have seen in others videos etc… and i wanted less ” Grit ” .. as i recently gave up Coffee Cream AND white Sugar. YAY!!! so i make a substitute using coconut butter.. ok.. im going on here.. lol
but anyhow.. i was not happy totally with my mixture.. and i thought about it for a while.. then i took what i had made ( i did add “some ” coconut oil in mine ) and i put it into my DRY BLADE container… and it worked MUCH better !! and i got the more creamy consistency i was looking for … 🙂
so.. what do you think?? and how long did you ground yours for? did you take breaks?
notice it was starting to heat up? i would LOVE to know:)
loving your site.. looking forward to more great things from you 🙂
Truly,
~Cave~
This is neat to know! I have not even known I could make coco. butter at home… but maybe I will try. I do not have a vitamix , tho… BUT I AM REALLY INTERESTED IN HOW YOU USE THIS FOR COFFEE/CREAM? I am trying to get away from cream as well…never used sugar in coff. 🙂
Hey Kelly!!
if you are ADDICTED to the Coffee with Cream and sugar like i am ( WAS !!)
then i understand your struggles .. TRUST ME !!!!
Coffee is an ADDICTION.. but im kicking it .. i believe in transitioning.. so that you KEEP on that path.. but.. for this.. i almost did it over night!
its SOO much better for you ..
So.. what i do is put Coconut Flakes in my DRY BLADE of my Vitamix.. and i KNOW they are expensive !! mine was a FORTUNE.. but id not part with it.. i use it for EVERYTHING lol
( i have done this in my Magic bullet as well .. but it takes such a long time.. but.. CAN be done.. it just has more GRIT to it if you do )
so i take the ” lets do organics ” brand of coconut flakes… ( i am in Canada, so we have them here at ” dominion ” ) you can get them online too..
anyhow.. just put them in my vita mix and keep at it till it turns to almost CREAMy substance… you have to stop a few times even with the Vitamix. as it warms up pretty fast.. its a strong motor !
anyhow.. then i scoop it out and let it sit in glass jar to harden.. this takes a little while as it is gone from flakes to almost cream.. but it does ! 🙂
so.. what i do..
i have my own Almond Milk ! i add it to my coconut butter ( teaspoonful) to my small cup from my magic bullet.. then let the coffee go into it .. then add a little of my almond milk.. blend.. and throw some cinnamon on top ( Cinnamon is soooo good for you too ! ) you will actually feel GUILTY for drinking it ! Lol
its ” THAT GOOD !”
i never in my life thought i could give up coffee cream.. this feels like a miracle to me ! i hope you do too .. its awful habit !
oh…
i make my own Fresh ALmond milk too !!! ( Delicious !!!)
its SIMPLE .. well.. if you have a vitamix.. and i should not say simple..
it is.. but its HARD work to strain..
i put almonds about cup or cup and half .. in bowl with filtered water.. let it sit in your fridge at least 24 hours.. you can leave allot longer!!
and then put in vita mix… add about 4 to 5 times that amount of water ( filtered) and the add Dates to taste ( dates are the sugar !)
i but about 10 for baking dates.. and about 5 if Majooled
and a pinch of Vanilla extract.. blend…
then strain ( this is the MOST work lol … ) its hard to do this.. but worth it!!
so that’s what i do! feel free to ask me ANYTHING you like .. i will help if i can 🙂
Cheers from Canada !
LOVE your heart and how you speak your mind. LOVE knowing about “Control F” now! Thank you! Thanks for writing this and I like the font. Where do you buy your coconut butter? I think I’ve seen it in some hi end grocery stores for about $8 a pint or quart, can’t remember, but I see on Tropical Traditions online….they are selling only 16oz for $20, sale ends today…$10. Hmmm, I guess that’s same price, lol…plus shipping.
H, THANKS SO MUCH cause my coconut butter dried out! my poor cat got very sticky dry butter in her mouth, got very upset and I had to turn on oven,350 degree, and let it cool & stick 2 jars of it inside briefly.(Haven’t done it yet.)
I have a question; when your coconut butter in jar dries out, has the WATER or oil, left the jar? we have bad drought in Oregon this summer dried out everything.SHOULD I ADD WATER OR OIL TO THE DRIED OUT COCONUT? or is the oil still in the jar?thanks for all the info,I have substituted coconut butter for ANIMAL BUTTER, that I used a little of.–on popcorn a tiny bit on Saturday nights. better for me, not saturated fat.AND, my Burmese (cat) loves coconut butter, she eats dryish food, she needs oil in her diet for skin, ect.I was surprised that animals love the butter, so I try to give her the treat often. yes, we have air conditioner on, Oregon is getting as dry as your state, we no longer have rain! Texas, here we come! so our conditions are now similar.
thank you for taking the time to tell us so much about coconut butter. I really appreciate this post.
Thank you for explaining the difference between coconut oil and coconut butter! I found this site after I mistakenly used ‘coconut’ butter rather than ‘cocoa’ butter for a lip balm recipe. The lip balm still turned out great but I am wondering if it might go bad faster than cocoa butter or if there’s any other reason I shouldn’t use coconut butter in a lip balm recipe. Any thoughts?
Thanks Katie! Had no idea what coconut butter was until I read your blog. Now I have fallen in love with it.
I know coconut butter lasts several months in the cupboard but how do you know if it has truly tuned bad & shouldnt be used. TIA