Oops – too thick to get smooth in the little pulser. It needs the food processor!

Ingredients

• 2c (300g) shelled peanuts
  • I used 1/2c for my mini-batch; you probably want to do 2 cups at a time if you’re using it regularly.
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2T oil
  • You may want to use peanut oil. I used rice bran oil.
• 1/2c (45g) cocoa powder
• 1 1/2c (170g) powdered sugar

Allergies: soy free, dairy free, gluten free, tree nut free, contains peanuts.

For smooth peanut butter, click here.

My first attempt to make chocolate peanut butter ran into a power problem. I was trying to make a mini-batch in the pulser and the addition of cocoa + honey made it to thick for the motor. I was able to make something warm and delicious for dessert (that tasted like a Snickers bar) but it needed a full size batch in the actual food processor to make it smooth. I have therefore borrow quantities from InspiredTaste.

Directions

1. Roasting gives the peanut butter more flavour. You can choose whether you want to buy roasted peanuts or roast them yourself (if purchasing pre-roasted, check the type of oil that has been used if you have a soy allergy). Roasting gives the peanut butter more flavour and helps to loosen the oils inside the peanuts to blend into a smoother butter.
   • Heat the oven to 180’C / 350’F and toast the peanuts on a baking sheet till they are golden and glossy with oil. This will take about 10 mins.
2. Put peanuts, a pinch of salt, and a teaspoon of oil into a food processor.
   • Note: I used a little pulser/grinder but that will only cope with 1/2c peanuts.
3. Blend for about a minute and then scrape down the sides with a plastic spatula. You’ll find it starts off looking a bit like crumbly breadcrumbs – this is normal!
4. Blend again until shiny and smooth.
   • Add a teaspoon of oil at a time if you’re finding it dry.
5. Add salt to taste (and sweetness if you prefer).

The whole process is really quick and will make smooth peanut butter.If you prefer crunchy peanut butter that’s easy too. Put only 1/3c of the peanuts into the blender to start and pulse until they’re chopped into tiny pieces; pull them out and reserve for later. Use the rest of the peanuts to make smooth peanut butter and then stir your crunchy bits back in.