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!)
Katie, I tried it with fresh coconut and it does NOT work. It doesn’t get creamy, just chopped up.
Katie…… Thanks for all your awesome recipes! I tried it once with lets do organic reduce fat coconut…….. doesn’t work pretty much stays the same but that makes sense you need the fat in the coconut for it to make it creamy buttery yummieness! When I first started making coconut butter I made the mistake of not putting enough coconut in the food processor. My best results come when I fill it up 3/4 of the way and it doesn’t take as long either. Where do you get your coconut? I have been getting 5lb bags of organic shredded coconut for 22 bucks here http://nuts.com/driedfruit/coconut/organic-shredded.html As Always Thank you for doing what you do Katie!
Much Love
Jennifer
Usually Whole Foods bulk section. Sometimes a store called Sprouts. 🙂
Hi Katie!
(wave)
I am very impressed that you read my comment! It was about comment #360 out of over 400! If anyone ever doubts your diligence in reading every comment, that should be proof in your favor.
We are getting a “heat wave” here in the northeast that you would scoff at with temperatures in the low 90’s 😀
Stay cool!
-Deb
(P.S. Now if you find my comment on the day you started your vitamix giveaway, I will REALLY be impressed 😀 Just Kidding!)
Haha I could find it… I’d just have to search for a keyword (or an email address?). 😉
I just made the coconut butter in my Vita-Mix and it is rather liquid. Did I do something wrong, or can I use it? It worked, maybe a little too good. It poured right out of the Vita-Mix container into my glass jar and last time I checked, it was still pretty runny. Used the Let’s Do….Organic coconut. Smells real good and think I’ll try it tomorrow, but would like to hear what you have to say about the consistency. I didn’t even do the full 3-5 minutes.
Mine comes out super liquidy too, the vitamix warms it up. Just let it cool in the fridge if you want it to solidify. But beware, once it’s cold it’s SUPER solid!! 🙂 If you let it sit overnight it should solidify a bit too, unless it’s really warm where you are.
Great post – I have been wondering about a lot of the things you mentioned.
I just tried making this in the vitamix. Didn’t work for me. I even burned out the motor (went into shut down.) It was just powder. I had to add water to get it creamy, and it’s still rather gritty. Could you maybe post what speed you use on the vitamix?
I’m in Seattle. Don’t know if that makes a difference.
Did you use sweetened coconut? Apparently that doesn’t work. I live on Vancouver Island (pretty much the same climate as Seattle) and I make it all the time in my Vitamix. It literally only takes 1 minute. I put my coconut in the vitamix, turn the dial to ten, then flip the super speed switch.
Hi, Just made a batch of coconut butter in the cold, wet miserable summer in Midlands, UK and it worked! Got a whole jar of lovely butter for half the price and it tastes totally delicious! Trouble is my husband loves it too so I will have to make more….. going to try a couple of recipes next. Thanks for the tips, even reading the recipes is a feast for the eyes and imagination!!
Haha — I totally know what you’re talking about with coming to Texas to melt coconut butter. The humidity here takes care of it easily. 🙂
Does the coconut butter need to be refrigerated?
Hey Katie, can you find coconut oil at a store such as Giant?
Or what grocery store do you find it at?
Katie,
Just thought I would let you know you inspired me to try (again) on the coconut butter. Third time was a charm, AND you inspired my recent blog post…
http://stacybraiuca.com/2012/07/14/oatmeal-coconut-butter-and-eating-quick/
I hope it does your inspiration justice!
I love your blog gf, keep it up.
Stacy
Aw loved your post. I’m so glad it finally worked for you :).
the link to my post changed, thought I’d update here too in case folks want to read it!
http://social2health.com/2012/07/14/oatmeal-coconut-butter-and-eating-quick/
and I’m still LOVING the coconut butter and can’t live without my dose of Chocolate Covered Katie either 🙂
keep up the inspiring work gf!
Stacy
Dumb question but does the coconut butter taste like coconut? My husband hates coconut… And pineapple (is he insane? maybe)
It doesn’t really. More like shortbread.
Hi Katie! Love your webite, can’t say this enough! You make low carb living easy with your sugar free desserts– love the ketchup recipe! I had to tell you, the last room I am apt to spend time in, is the kitchen– hate it— but after finding so many good recipes on your site, not only am I in the kitchen, but I bought a Ninja so I can make more of your recipes! Never, ever, would I have considered such a purchase! I specifically bought the Ninja hoping top make coconut butter as good as this looks! I’m hoping to make it for Christmas gifts if I can match your recipe!
Thank you!
OMGosh! Thank you so much, Katie! We don’t have things like coconut butter around here, but now I don’t have to miss out! I picked up a bag of unsweetened coconut after work and figured I would give it a shot in my blender. It took a bit longer but it came out just fine! I left mine a little bit grainy because I got impatient ;).
Now if I only I could figure out how to get my hands on vegan cheese and yogurt, I’d be set! We do have soy ice cream here, but it’s pretty expensive, and I’ve never seen a dairy-free cheese or yogurt option.
Just made my first batch of coconut butter… assuming it isn’t all eaten, how long does it last? Should it be refrigerated, or is it OK in the cupboards?
Thanks!
Ok in cupboard. Lasts months.
Hi, just found your website today and couldn’t wait to make the coconut butter! And I happened to have a large bag of coconut shreds in the freezer, yea me! But my question is how do you know when it’s done? Mine got a little warm in the vita mix and was creamy but a little more runny than the pics of yours looked to be???? Does it get hard in the fridge? Anyway thanks for all the amazing recipes!
Yes, gets hard when cold.