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 read somewhere online that the coconut flakes must be full-fat in order for them to turn into coconut butter, and that apparently a lot of flakes sold in stores have the fat squeezed out of them, or something weird like that. I tried blending my coconut flakes and they just turned into smaller flakes, not butter. So maybe that’s the problem?
Quick question…….When measuring out the coconut butter for your recipes, do you measure in solid (hard and crumbly form) or melted liquid form?
Soft is almost always better. It will depend on the specific recipe. But, off the top of my head, I can’t think of any of my recipes where it’s better to use the coconut butter crumbly.
SUCCESS!!! or “How I Got It!!” My first batch just didn’t work. I couldn’t figure out why and even asked if coconut flakes could dry out and/or go bad. But, determined, I keep reading and found a link that someone posted here on Kate’s site that it had taken them 30 minutes and, and here’s the big one for me, you can’t make “just a little,” you have to fill your food processor to the top. After I did that, it took me about 15 minutes to have a liquid (which I wanted since I read it firms up, and it’s easier to pour out of the processor than scrape) and it was done! Now off to make the fudge!!! J
I would like to conduct a research on coconut butter..Would you like to help me..? Can i get a idea on what qulity should be improve and what are the potentials..?
Hey..I would like, if you can write to my email…I need more chemistry on coconut butter..
How would one store coconut butter? Fridge? Cupboard? For how long?
I made in my Magic Bullet (flat blade, small cup) and it was a snap. Took about a minute. No scraping needed. 2 oz of unsweetened coconut shreds (from Wegmans bulk aisle) made approx 3 TBSP of yummy butter.
So glad I found this blog! I was only looking for information on coconut butter for a recipe, but browsing the recipes on this blog, I have truly hit the jackpot. Can’t decide what to try first!
No need to fridge, it lasts for months :).
I tried to make coconut butter but was unsuccessful. I used coconut from the bulk section of my supermarket. What happened?
oh my goodness goodness gosh! (1 of ur phrases rite there:) i really need to get me some coconut butter. like rite now! do u think u can get it at costco or walmart? i also need more beans. and chocolate. one can never have too much chocolate,right?
Hey Katie, LOVE your website!! Can I remove the coconut butter from the smothies for calorie purposes or substitute something else, or is it a ‘must?’ ( i have coconut oil, not butter)
I was wondering if I could substitute coconut butter for butter in a baking recipe?
Probably depends on the recipe.
That control f didn’t work how do you use it? So how much cocoanut do you have to buy to make the cocoanut butter to equal 1 cup? May have missed that point in your blog. Thanks.
Ctrl+F means hold down the [Ctrl] button and tap the [F] button on your keyboard. It should bring up a search box (usually at the bottom left or top right of the browser). In that box, type in what you are searching for and press [Enter]. Hope this helps!
Tremendous issues here. I am very satisfied to look your post.
Thanks a lot and I’m having a look ahead to contact you. Will you please drop me a mail?
Great info. Cant’t wait to try it. However, what speed do you blend it on in the vitamix?
Kacey
Highest it goes. Start from low and work up.
How long will it last and where do you store it?
It will last for months stored in the cupboard.
is coconut butter also a natural butter? Because i found a really nice recepiece for a body bronzer but i need a natural butter. And i found creamt coconut around the house.
No, its not the same. I think that your recipe means shea butter or cocoa butter. Not a butter that you eat.
I love coconut butter and now I love the fact that I can search for a word on the webpage! thanks- you’re a brilliant gal and I love your recipes. Keep on being awesome!
Has anyone been successful in blending the coconut shreds to a creamy texture? Because I’ve been going until my food processor is smoking hot, and all I have is oily grit. I suspect that it’s the Vitamix that makes it even possible. Has anyone without a Vitamix actually achieved it?
Yes, many people have success in a food processor. Some of the commenters above you have even done it in a Magic Bullet. It really just does depend on the climate and amount of fat in your bag of coconut shreds. Try adding a little oil to the food processor.