Homemade “Cookie” Butter!

Now I’m sure by now you’ve either heard of or *gasp* tasted Trader Joe’s dangerously addictive “Speculoos Cookie Butter”, right? I mean, even I have — and I live in New Zealand, where — *gasp again* Trader Joe’s doesn’t even exist!!! (Oh how I miss America…)

Now don’t get me wrong, this “speculoos spectacular stuff” tastes just as good as it sounds ~ but it also happens to be just as bad for you as it sounds too! Here are the ingredients to prove it:

INGREDIENTS: 57% SPECULOOS (WHEAT FLOUR, CANDY SUGAR, MARGARINE [PALM OIL, CANOLA OIL, COCONUT OIL, RAPESEED OIL, WATER, SALT, EMULSIFIER {VEGETABLE MONO-AND DIGLYCERIDES FROM FATTY ACIDS}, CITRIC ACID, ALCTIC ACID, COLOR ADDED {BETA CAROTENE}, BUTTERFLAVOR (NON-DAIRY)], SUGAR, SOY FLOUR, SUGAR SYRUP, RAISING AGENT {SODIUM HYDROGEN CARBONATE}, CINNAMON, NUTMEG), PALM OIL, CANOLA OIL, SUGAR, EMULSIFIER: RAPESEED LECITHIN.

So, in a nut-shell (so to speak), Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter is basically made from wheat flour, sugar, oil, oil, oil, more oil, sugar, sugar syrup (and the healthy ingredients) cinnamon and nutmeg, oh — and then more oil and sugar. I feel like I’m getting clogged up just thinking about it.

On to the good news: I just made my own “Homemade Cookie Butter”, and this one just so happens to be super delicious AND really good for you too! Better yet, it’s as simple as 1-2-3 (quite literally).

1. Place 1.5 cups of roasted peanuts and spices (spices listed in recipe below) in a food processor. (I used roasted and salted peanuts, but roasted works fine, just adjust the salt to taste. Note: You can also use roasted almonds, cashews, or macadamia nuts for a different flavor!)

2. Blend on high for 3-5 minutes, until nuts turn into a nice, creamy, buttery texture.

3. Do a quick taste test and add more salt if needed. Pour into a little jar and just see how long this lasts!

Here’s the recipe:

Homemade “Cookie” Butter
This recipe was inspired by the infamous “Speculoos Cookie Butter” by Trader Joe’s

Dietary Info: GF/DF/SF/V (for a Paleo version, use Almonds in place of Peanuts)

Serving size: 1 Tbs. (15g)

Recipe makes 230g (or 15.33 servings)

Ingredients:

1.5 cups (225g) roasted/salted peanuts (or your nut of choice)

6 sachets sweete natural stevia granules (equivalent to 6 tsp. sugar)

1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. ginger

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

salt to taste

Homemade “Cookie” Butter Nutrition Facts  

vs.   Trader Joe’s “Speculoos Cookie Butter”

   

Special Dietary Needs:

Gluten Free/Grain Free = GF
Dairy Free = DF
Sugar Free = SF
Paleo Approved = PA
Vegetarian = V

The above codes for specific dietary requirements will be found under each recipe title.