Vegan butter is a wonderful plant-based alternative to dairy butter that is creamy, rich, and perfect for baking, cooking, or spreading on toast. This homemade version is free from preservatives, artificial flavours, and is customisable to your taste preferences.
Ingredients:
• 1/2 cup refined coconut oil (solid at room temperature)
• 1/4 cup sunflower oil or any neutral oil
• 1/4 cup unsweetened soy milk or any plant-based milk
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice (for tanginess)
• 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder (for color, optional)
• 1 tbsp nutritional yeast (for a buttery flavor, optional)
• 1/2 tsp lecithin granules or sunflower lecithin (optional for emulsification)
Instructions:
1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Measure out all your ingredients before you start. Make sure the coconut oil is solid but not too hard; it should be scoopable. The plant milk should be at room temperature to help the mixture emulsify better.
2. Blend the Ingredients: In a high-speed blender or food processor, add the solid coconut oil, sunflower oil, and plant-based milk. Blend on low speed initially to combine. Gradually increase the speed, adding the apple cider vinegar, salt, turmeric, nutritional yeast, and lecithin if using.
3. Blend Until Smooth: Continue blending the mixture until it becomes smooth and creamy. The mixture should be fully emulsified, with no separation of oils and milk.
4. Taste and Adjust: Taste the mixture and adjust the salt or tanginess by adding a bit more apple cider vinegar or lemon juice if needed. The turmeric should give it a light yellow hue, similar to dairy butter.
5. Chill and Set: Pour the mixture into a mold, container, or a silicone tray for easy removal. Place it in the refrigerator for at least 2-3 hours or until it is firm. The vegan butter will solidify and become spreadable.
6. Store and Use: Once set, the vegan butter is ready to use. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze it for longer storage. Use it just like regular butter – for spreading, baking, or cooking.
Tips:
• For a more buttery flavor, you can add a few drops of butter-flavored extract.
• If you’re looking for a healthier option, reduce the amount of coconut oil and increase the neutral oil, keeping in mind that it may be softer.
• Experiment with different plant-based milks to find the flavor you like best.
Vegan butter is incredibly versatile and can be customized to suit your culinary needs. Enjoy the rich, creamy texture and the satisfaction of making your own plant-based butter at home!