Orange chocolate cashew butter is made in minutes in the food processor for a creamy and delicious spread with no sugar added. Sub it in for peanut or almond butter in sandwiches, or serve it as a perfect dip for fruit or pretzels!
I've had total ants in my pants waiting to share this orange chocolate cashew butter with you. It's a three (or four, or five, more on that later) ingredient, just-a-few-minutes kind of recipe that will revolutionize your toast- and sandwich-eating. It couldn't be easier.
What hasn't been easy? Actually sharing it with you! I don't want to harp on the tech problems I've been having, but the extent to which they've escalated is almost laughable at this point.
Couple that with my seven-year-old laptop deciding now was the time for multiple blue screens of death, and if the universe wasn't cruel enough, I then broke our coffee maker.
Because if there's one thing that makes ALL the computer problems the slightest bit easier to handle, it's caffeine.
I'm happy to report everything has been resolved, so here. it. is. Orange chocolate cashew butter in all its orange-y, chocolate-y, cashew butter-y goodness.
Recipe ingredients
Basic, mostly whole food ingredients are all you need for this chocolate cashew butter recipe.
It starts with a cup of cashews - either salted or unsalted. I prefer salted because it balances well with the other flavors here. Just like the salted honey combination in this pound cake trifle - yum. But if you only have unsalted cashews you can always just add a pinch of salt. No biggie.
The chocolate part comes into play by using unsweetened cocoa powder. Bold chocolate flavor without added sugar.
Next is the orange zest. Orange and chocolate together is one of my favorite, not super popular flavor pairings. Just three-quarters of a teaspoon here will do it, though you can always adjust to fit your tastes.
Our last ingredient is optional, but recommended. Coconut oil does nothing for taste, but adjusts the consistency. Read on for the whats and whys.
Step-by-step instructions
Well, first it becomes a crumbly mess. But don't give up hope! With a little more processing (and a little more, and a little more...) it becomes less like cashew dust and more like cashew butter.
Since people run the gamut on preferred nut butter consistency, you have a few options to make this cashew butter your own.
I like to start with processing the cashews, cocoa powder, orange zest, and salt (if using) on their own. The cashews will release oil as you go and become creamier, ultimately ending up with a spreadable but fairly firm nut butter. Be sure to stop and scrape down the sides of the food processor as needed to work in all of the ingredients.
Now if you prefer the consistency of natural peanut and almond butters, at this point you can add a few teaspoons of coconut oil to everything and whizz it in. You'll quickly find that runny, smooth texture you like. I usually end up adding between two and three teaspoons of coconut oil at the end to yield the consistency you see here.
While either refined or unrefined coconut oil would work just fine as far as the consistency goes, I like to use refined coconut oil here. Reason being that I find it has a more neutral flavor to blend into many types of recipes. Unrefined brings with it a more coconutty aspect that I wasn't sure would be great along with orange and chocolate. Use your preferred, though!
Serving suggestions
This cashew butter makes a killer OM & OCCB sandwich. That would be an orange marmalade & orange chocolate cashew butter sandwich, and OMG is it good. It's a little bit fancier than your standard PB & J and makes me stare down the clock at work, willing it to hit 12 so I can run and grab it out of the fridge for lunch.
Besides subbing it in for peanut and almond butters, it makes a great dip for fruit, pretzels, etc. If going that route I definitely suggest adding enough coconut oil to help it become perfectly dippable.
It truly tastes like a healthier chocolate-dipped strawberry, with a little orange flavor thrown in for good measure.
If you're into the chocolate orange combination like I am, you might also like these mini chocolate orange lava cakes (SO easy with no special pans) or these rich chocolate orange cookies.
Recipe notes
- Both salted and unsalted cashews would work here. I prefer salted for the extra bit of flavor.
- Be sure to scrape down the sides of your food processor as needed to ensure all of the ingredients are incorporated smoothly.
- Scroll up a bit to the body of the post to read about what coconut oil does for the consistency of this chocolate cashew butter to decide if you'd like to add it.
Orange Chocolate Cashew Butter
Ingredients
- 1 cup cashews, salted or unsalted
- 3 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¾ teaspoon orange zest
- Pinch of salt if using unsalted cashews (optional)
- 2-3 teaspoon coconut oil (optional)
Instructions
- Add cashews, cocoa powder, orange zest, and salt (if using) to the bowl of a food processor and process in intervals for several minutes total, or until mixture is smooth and creamy. Stop periodically and scrape down sides with a spatula.
- If you like a runnier consistency, add coconut oil a teaspoon at a time and process in until creamy to your liking. Store at room temperature.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as an estimate. As it can vary due to many factors (brands used, quantities, etc.), we cannot guarantee its accuracy.
Food Safety and Nutrition DisclaimerThe photos here were updated in May 2018.
B says
Could you specify please whether the nuts are to be roasted or raw.
Alyssa says
Hi there, either raw or roasted cashews work here. I've used both and have enjoyed it either way so it just comes to your preference.
Pooja says
Thank you for synchronized a yummy recipe. I added my twist to this as I was making it for 9 year old. Added some maple syrup for the sweetness and replaced orange zest with 2 tsp of vanilla 🙂
Alyssa says
That sounds delicious - so glad you like it! 🙂
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
Now that looks like some spreadable goodness right there Alyssa! I am loving this flavor combo. Pinned!
Alyssa says
Thanks so much Kristi! I don't think you can go wrong with orange + chocolate. 🙂
Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says
I hope you are done with your technology issues, because those are NO fun at all :/ This cashew butter looks amaaaaazing, seriously, pass me a spoon! I don't need anything else 😉
Alyssa says
Fingers crossed Denise I think I'm in the clear! 🙂 And oh gosh I'm surprised I had enough cashew butter left to take pictures of after all of those "taste testing" spoonfuls!
Annie @ The Garlic Diaries says
This looks SO good!! I love making things like this. I think more often than not this would end up being eaten straight out of the jar with a spoon rather than on top of anything...whoops. Truth.
Alyssa says
Thank you Annie! Believe me, straight spoonfuls of this cashew butter happened quiteee a lot! 🙂
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
Love making homemade nut butters!! I've never thought of putting orange zest in, but that sounds so good! The chocolate and orange combo reminds me of those chocolate oranges you crack open that they sell around Christmas... so yummy! 🙂
Alyssa says
Yessss I love those oranges Jess! I haven't had one in forever, but I've been sneaking in orange to my chocolate recipes lately. Thanks! 🙂
Anne-Marie McCarthy says
This looks awesome, but my passion is chocolate and raspberry. I wonder how I could swap the orange for raspberry without the seeds. I'll find a way. 😀
Alyssa says
Hi Anne-Marie! Thank you! 🙂 Chocolate and raspberry is another one of my favorites (I mean, is chocolate + anything ever truly bad?). Hmm the seeds would make it tricky, but do let me know if you find a way. That sounds delicious!
Helen @ Scrummy Lane says
Oh, I'm so sorry, Alyssa, but I'm laughing quite a bit right now about your TV switching itself on by itself!
Seriouslly, though, sorry you've had a crappy week. There's nothing that stresses me out more than techy problems!
The orange-choc cashew butter looks divine, though ... certainly something to cheer you up! Choc-orange is my very fave flavour, and cashews are my very favourite nut, so I guess that means I couldn't go wrong with this!
Alyssa says
Haha oh Helen - we cracked up about it (both times!) the morning after it happened. In my half sleep I was convinced someone had broken in and turned the TV on. Brian reminded me that any intruder probably wouldn't blast the TV upon entering! I bet you would love this cashew butter - I know you love orange/chocolate like I do! 🙂
Ashley says
Ugh!!! Tech problems really are the worst! I'm sorry!
But I would definitely console myself with some of this! Chocolate and orange is such a great combo and in a homemade nut butter??? Genius.
Alyssa says
Oh I definitely have been consoling myself with this cashew butter Ashley, haha! Fingers crossed everything is straightened out now, but my goodness. So stressful! Thanks!
Sherri@The Well Floured Kitchen says
Haha you made me laugh with the acronym. My 9 year old has a thing for them, and he makes acronyms out of the most random stuff 🙂 This looks totally amazing, and I can't wait to try it! Hope your tech problems end soon!
Alyssa says
Haha Sherri! So funny. He sounds like a hoot! Thank you. 🙂
Danielle says
I hope this week gets better for you, Alyssa! Technology can be such a pain. I'm really loving this cashew butter though! The added orange zest is such a great idea!
Alyssa says
Fingers crossed it is! Haha A few spoonfuls of this definitely helped make it better. 😉 Thanks Danielle!
Marcie says
Laptops with attitude -- haha! Too funny! Glad your technical difficulties finally got resolved because this nut butter sounds so good! I've never though to add citrus zest before and that's such a good idea! Pinned.
Alyssa says
Thanks Marcie! The orange definitely added a nice flavor twist! 🙂
Sues says
Gahhh I'd totally be eating this with a spoon!!
Hope technology is being a bit nicer to you this week 🙂
Alyssa says
Thanks Sues! Fingers crossed everything is looking okay. And eating this cashew butter with a spoon has definitely happened more than once!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
It's like you were cursed last week with technology! So glad your blog is fixed now. That stuff is the WORST! I've been lucky enough to avoid it, *knock on wood*. Ok, this orange chocolate cashew butter sounds amazing! Like a super fancy nutella! Kind of reminds me of those cute chocolate orange balls. The kind you would have to slam down on the table to fracture the chocolate ball into like "orange" segments. So good! And healthy too!
Alyssa says
Oh girl, cursed is definitely the right word! And yes - super fancy Nutella is right! I *love* those chocolate oranges. I have memories of slamming them against the table. They are too good!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
This cashew butter sounds fantastic, Alyssa! I've always wanted to make my own, so I'm loving this recipe. Such a great idea to add in some orange and chocolate, too. Sounds like it makes the perfect spread!
Alyssa says
Thanks Gayle! I just love orange and chocolate together. Especially in simple recipes like this where the flavors shine through! 🙂