Coconut Butter Recipes: 20+ Divine Ways To Use Coconut Butter | Chocolate & Zucchini (2024)

If you’re a coconut butter virgin, you are in for a life-changing discovery… and I apologize in advance if you develop an addiction to the stuff, as many of us have.

Coconut butter — not to be mistaken with coconut oil — is made from the dried meat of the coconut, which is finely ground until it releases its oil. This turns it into a lusciously creamy substance, with a slightly grainy texture that is most pleasant, and a subtly sweet, irresistible coconut flavor. Just like coconut oil, it is set at moderate room temperature, entirely solid when left in the fridge, and soft when heated*, or during a heatwave.

I first discovered coconut butter from Dastony, thanks to my friend Rebecca who introduced me to their amazing product line. Theirs is organic, raw, and stone-ground, but I am unable to get it in France, so I have been buying “coconut manna” from Nutiva instead. You’ll also find coconut butter sold under the name of coconut spread, creamed coconut, or coconut cream concentrate; in all cases, favor organic and make sure it is made from 100% coconut.

The Best Coconut Butter Recipes

I confess my favorite way to enjoy it is by the spoonful — a single spoonful at a time, for it is quite rich — possibly paired with a banana as a quick pick-me-up in the afternoon, but there are plenty of other uses, and I have compiled a tempting list of coconut butter recipes for your and my convenience.

Here are 20+ delicious things you can do with coconut butter; you will also find them on the coconut butter bliss Pinterest board I’ve created.

~ First off, you can make your own coconut butter quite easily, using dried, unsweetened coconut flakes and a sturdy food processor; here’s a video tutorial if you need it. As a tempting variation, you can toast the coconut flakes beforehand to make toasted coconut butter.

~ Make it into coconut butter bars with sea salt.

~ Add coconut butter to smoothies to make them creamier and boost their nutritional value. This works especially well with bananas, peaches, and/or blueberries.

~ Use it as a substitute for nut butters in recipes, if nut allergy is an issue or you want to play around with flavors.

~ Assemble these adorable strawberry creme truffles, or these coconut truffles with cinnamon [sc:cinnamon_link].

~ Make peanut butter cups, and perhaps try this mint and dark chocolate version.

~ Bake these coconut butter brownies with dates as a sweetener and a sprinkle of salt on top.

~ Make vegan fudge, flavoring it with chocolate and banana, with almonds and raspberries, or with peanut butter.

~ Add it to the blender when making this instant banana sorbet.

~ Turn it into a quick frosting for your cakes and cupcakes.

~ Make coconut chocolate pudding or coconut blueberry pudding.

~ Whizz it into this fall-perfect pumpkin coconut butter to spread on toasted sourdough bread or French crêpes.

~ Melt (with or without chocolate) and pour over a bowl of ice cream or chilled fruit to create a delightful hard shell, or use this same mixture to dip berries and allow to cool and set in the fridge.

~ Make coconut butter buttons for a quick treat. Try this toasted coconut version or this lemon vanilla variation as well.

~ Use it to make stuffed dates.

~ Stud it with your favorite nuts and dried fruit for a luxurious coconut butter bark.

~ Make these dangerously simple, two-layer chocolate coconut bars.

~ Melt and drizzle over a baked sweet potato or roasted squash.

~ Make vegan parmesan cheese (!).

~ Add a spoonful at the end of cooking to bind and flavor a vegetable stir-fry or a curry.

~ Make egg-free mayonnaise.

Join the conversation!

Does coconut butter figure in your pantry already? How did you discover it, and What’s your favorite use?

* Note that the fat and solids of coconut butter tend to separate over time, so when you open a fresh jar you need to place it in a pan of very hot water for 15 to 20 minutes, then stir it all back together with a fork, a bit like you would do (minus the heating) with an all-natural nut butter.

Want more coconut butter recipes?

Follow my coconut butter board on Pinterest!

Coconut Butter Recipes: 20+ Divine Ways To Use Coconut Butter | Chocolate & Zucchini (2024)

FAQs

Do I need to refrigerate coconut butter? ›

It does not have to be refrigerated as it will get too cold and not be spreadable. In the cooler months, store coconut butter in a warm place in the kitchen but away from sunlight so that it is creamy and spreadable. While in storage, you may notice some oil separation.

What does coconut butter do to your skin? ›

Coconut butter acts great on the skin as a natural moisturizer. It promotes skin elasticity and fights free radicals to maintain a youthful complexion. The antioxidant compounds found in the butter are quickly absorbed by the skin, and it penetrates deep layers.

What does coconut butter do in baking? ›

Additionally, coconut butter gets much more hard at room temperature or in the fridge, than coconut oil does. Since I like to avoid using oil in my baked goods, I like to use coconut butter for richness. It yields a very buttery result. You can buy coconut butter in the stores or make Homemade Coconut Butter.

Is it okay to put coconut butter on your face? ›

There are various benefits to using coconut butter on the skin. Since coconut butter is high in fatty acids, it can keep the skin moisturized, reducing dry skin and wrinkles as a result. Coconut butter also contains lauric acid, which is a fatty acid that's known to have antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Can you use coconut butter for cooking? ›

I use coconut butter in many recipes on my blog. It is so easy and fast to make and tastes delicious! You don't technically need to use Bob's Red Mill. I just really like this brand because it is very fresh and finely ground and it worked absolutely perfectly.

Is coconut butter healthy for you? ›

It is an excellent source of healthy fats, with 18g of fat in just two tablespoons. Coconut butter is also rich in minerals including potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium. Coconut butter comes in pre-packaged jars, or you can make it from scratch using pure coconut.

Can you eat raw coconut butter? ›

Coconut butter is delicious straight from the jar. It can be spread on almost anything. It's tasty as a butter substitute on your morning toast or bagel.

Can coconut butter be frozen? ›

If preferred, freeze coconut butter in an ice cube tray then transfer the frozen cubes to a freezer container – frozen cubes will keep up to 6 months.

Is coconut butter anti inflammatory? ›

On the other hand, like coconut oil, coconut butter contains lauric acid that possesses anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. This will boost immunity and may help your body fight infections.

Does coconut butter clog pores? ›

coconut butter, coconut alkanes) is highly comedogenic as it causes excess sebum (aka clogged pores). Lanolin (inc. acetylated lanolin alcohol) is an oily extract from the lamb's wool (ew!). Beyond that, it clogs pores easily leading to flare-ups and breakouts.

Is coconut butter better than shea butter? ›

Coconut oil is comedogenic in nature and can block pores thus causing acne, therefore it is not suitable for sensitive and oily skin types. On the other hand, Shea butter is non-comedogenic and hence can be used easily by all skin types whether dry, normal, sensitive, or acne-prone.

What's the difference between coconut cream and coconut butter? ›

Creamed coconut is also made from ground dehydrated coconut flesh, and then compressed into a block. It is similar in form to coconut butter but is very dense and is most commonly mixed with water to make coconut milk or added to soups or stews.

Is coconut manna the same as coconut butter? ›

Coconut Oil is not the same as Coconut Manna and Coconut Butter, but Coconut Manna and Coconut Butter are the same things. Nutiva calls our Coconut Butter, Coconut “Manna” because if ever there was a food from heaven, this is it.

Why is my coconut butter gritty? ›

This crystallization can occur immediately, or can appear months after the product has been made – especially if the product has experienced temperature variances during storage or transportation. If cooling occurs slowly, the fatty acids can crystallize into large clumps, causing graininess.

Can I replace butter with coconut butter? ›

How Do You Use Coconut Butter? Despite the name, this isn't really a butter substitute, though it is delicious spread across a piece of toast or on a muffin. It has a low smoking point, so you shouldn't use it for frying or sautéing ingredients. It can replace butter when baking, though.

Can you use coconut butter instead of normal butter? ›

To reduce the oil or butter in a recipe, you can replace up to half the amount called for with coconut butter. This will add extra fiber to the recipe, so it may taste slightly “healthier” in that case.

Can you fry with coconut butter? ›

Coconut butter burns easily and isn't your best bet for stovetop cooking over anything higher than very low heat for a brief time. It's perfect for making fudge and candies and may be substituted for butter or oil. It will add a strong, sweet, coconut flavor to your recipes.

Does coconut butter melt? ›

Coconut butter uses:

Add to your oatmeal: this is one of my favorite ways to use it! A spoonful will melt right on top of your morning oatmeal. It's so good on this Almond Joy Oatmeal, but also on all of these oatmeal recipes.

References

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