Homemade Vegan Butter

So, I've seen a lot of homemade vegan butter recipes floating, melting, around the web. I figured it was time to hop on that butter churn, or in this case...food processor. Todd and I usually buy Earth Balance, which we love. However, we don't love the palm oil.  The collection of palm oil is destroying the habitats of orangutans, rhinos, tigers and elephants. Even "sustainably sourced" palm oil is pretty questionable. It's in vegan butters as well as that "natural" creamy peanut butter that you don't have to stir. Do I love stirring my natural peanut butter? It's not one of my all-time favorite pastimes, but it does help clear my conscious. Plus, I get a pretty sweet little arm workout for a minute. If you want to learn more about palm oil, it's consequences, and what you can do to avoid it and help (you do), check out this article.

I don't want to be a part of that. There are some things we can control, like purchasing palm oil laden things, and some things we can't. If it means I have to stir my damn peanut butter and briefly inspect the ingredients of what food items I purchase (which I already do anyways), then so be it. It's a small inconvenience. Plus, what's better than creamy homemade butter slathered on fluffy homemade bread...um...nothing, that's what.

This vegan butter has the Todd Seal of Approval, and let me tell you...the man knows his butter. It's also super easy. A vegan butter that involves less forest/animal habitat destruction? Yes, please! Creamy, easy and it's super quick to whip up.

If the orangutans weren't busy running for their lives, they could do it. 

Homemade Vegan Butter

By Katie Henry - Produce On Parade

This vegan butter has my husband’s seal of approval, and let me tell you...the man knows his butter. It's also super easy. A vegan butter that involves less forest/animal habitat destruction? Yes, please! Creamy, easy and it's super quick to whip up.

--Note-- I recommend only using soy milk, as it is noted that some other non-dairy milks may have difficulty curdling. Refined coconut oil imparts absolutely no coconut flavor. Unrefined coconut oil, however, will impart a coconut flavor. Liquid lecithin and xanthan gum can be found in the organic or bulk section of most local grocery stores.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup + 1 Tbsp. unsweetened, plain soy milk
• 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
• heaping ¼ tsp. kosher salt
• ½ cup + 2 Tbsp. refined coconut oil, melted and room temperature
• 1 Tbsp. canola oil
• 1 tsp. liquid sunflower or soy lecithin
• ¼ tsp. xanthan gum

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy milk, apple cider vinegar and salt. Allow to rest for 10-15 minutes, until it's thickened and curdled.
2. Meanwhile, melt the coconut oil in the microwave at 30 second intervals. It's acceptable to still be partially un-melted, with bits of solid coconut oil. You don't want it to be hot or warm at all. If it is, allow to cool. Measure it melted, not solid.
3. In a food processor, combine the coconut oil and the canola oil. Add in the remaining ingredients, including the soy milk mixture and processor for about 2 minutes. Be sure to scrape the sides occasionally. It will quickly become whipped up, just like creamy butter!
4. Transfer into a storage container for the fridge (for buttering bread, etc. ), or silicone ice cube trays for the freezer (for baking, etc.)

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 00:00
Total time: 00:20
Yield: 1 cup

Save Money!

I buy my lecithin here as it’s not available locally here where I live in Alaska.

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More Delicious Basic Recipes

Strawberry Basil Jam

Caramel Pear Applesauce

Homemade Vegetable Broth

Soft Wheat Sandwich Bread

Listening to Zee Avi – No Christmas For Me

This recipe is very slightly adapted from the very particular, Vegan Baking.

Homemade Instant Oatmeal Packets & Backpacking

Today I give you a simple recipe and some awesome Alaskan backcountry pictures!  When Todd and I decided to go backpacking up by where we got married last year, we knew we had a rather large stash of 1000 year old Mountain Houses and Backpacker's Pantry freeze dried meals. We dug them out only to discover that, as vegans, we couldn't eat a single one. Poo.

So, I decided to make some oatmeal for us. When I was a child, we always brought along those little, sweetened packets of oatmeal backpacking. My favorite was the Fruit and Cream type. Don't you dare give me any of those Apples and Cinnamon ones, blech! Did you know those little packets have whey in them, though? Why, Quaker!? Why???

Oh well. So if you don't want whey in your oatmeal either, here's how to make your own! I used erythritol but you can use sugar if you like. 

Be sure to add freshly picked berries if you have access! This is my favorite breakfast. Bonus points if you eat it in sleeping bag, outside on top of a mountain!

Homemade Instant Oatmeal Packet

Inspired by Quaker Oats

Makes 1 packet

• 1/2 cup dry instant oats
• 2 tsp. erythritol (or sugar)
• 1 tsp. vanilla powder
• 1/8 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/8-1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice (optional, or cinnamon, etc.)
• boiling water (amount to preference)
• add-ins (berries, fruit, seeds, nuts, etc.)

In a small baggie/canister/bowl add all the ingredients and mix or shake well to combine. When ready to use, place in an appropriate bowl and fill with desired amount of boiling water.Voila. Done. 

Awesome Alaska Backpacking Pictures

And now on to some amazing Alaskan photos. Below you'll see some of the berries I put in my oatmeal!

Yes, it was a little late in the season, however, the blueberry situation was OBSCENE! I went bananas...obviously. 

Blueberrymania, no? It was pure joy. The Fall colors were very lovely. We don't have these colors quite yet, outside of the mountains. 

Still a little ways to go! It was extraordinarily muddy. And here we are, finally at camp! We made it!

This is the Official "My Backpack's Off"' pose, in case you were wondering. There's no quite feeling like it. Don't laugh.

Todd and Bob may have the whole "relaxing" thing down a bit better than I do.

We saw a massive bear print along with scat. So that was special.

This is what vegans bring camping when they don't plan ahead and dehydrate a meal. There is also some chocolate with candied ginger, and lemon drops too!

Todd got a JetBoil for his birthday. What a spoiled boy!

Our furry child hauls his own goodies, of course. 

He loves us.

Family picture! We were photobombed by a blueberry...

We were happy to squeeze the last backpacking trip in before the snow flies. It was 32 F when I left for work this morning, so literally, we could have snow any day now! Bring it on.

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