Homemade Sunflower Butter Food

HOMEMADE SUNFLOWER BUTTER CUPS

Steps:

• Make the chocolate layer: Gently melt the chocolate in a double boiler (a fitted bowl over a pot of simmering water), stirring the sides with a spatula so the chocolate does not stick or scorch on the edges.
• Spread 8 to 10 cupcake liners (or 12 to 16 small ones) on a baking sheet and spoon a thin layer of chocolate in the bottom of each, 1/4- to 1/2-inch thick. (This should use half of the melted chocolate. Keep the remaining chocolate warm over warm water.) Place the baking sheet in the freezer for at least 15 to 20 minutes and up to 4 hours to allow the chocolate to set up.
• Make the "butter" layer: Drain the excess oil off the top of the sunflower butter. Add the sunflower butter (or cinnamon cookie butter) to a medium bowl. Sift the confectioners' sugar (use 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar if using cookie butter, or 1/2 cup if using sunflower butter) over the top of the butter and fully combine using a rubber spatula. Roll the butter into tablespoon-sized balls for the large cups, or teaspoon-sized balls for the small cups. Flatten gently between your palms. Remove the baking sheet from the freezer and place the flattened butter patties on top of the chocolate, pressing down lightly. Tap the tray on the counter a few times to help flatten the layers. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 12 hours.
• Remove the baking sheet from the fridge, then gently press any uneven layers down and spoon the remaining melted chocolate over the butter layer on all of the candies. Refrigerate until it hardens, at least 1 hour and preferably up to 12 hours. Keep refrigerated and wrapped in plastic if serving the next day. (If using white chocolate, store finished treats in the freezer.)

SUNFLOWER BUTTER

Steps:

• Toast the seeds in a large, dry frying pan over a low heat, stirring so they don't burn. This will enhance the flavour and help release the oils. Tip the seeds into a high-powered blender and blitz while they're still warm, until finely chopped and powdery.
• If your blender is high-speed, you can make the butter from the seeds alone - continue to blitz until the oils are released and the seeds turn into a smooth butter (this may take 20-30 mins), stopping to scrape down the sides and let the motor rest occasionally. If you don't have a high-speed blender, slowly add the coconut oil with the motor running, and continue to blitz until the mix comes together into a ball, then transforms into butter.
• Add the syrup and/or salt to taste, or leave plain. Spoon into sterilised jars (see tip, below) and chill until needed. Will keep chilled for up to a month.

SUPER SEEDY SUNFLOWER BUTTER

Steps:

• If your sunflower seeds are roasted (select unsalted if possible), skip this step. Otherwise, preheat oven to 350 degrees F (176 C) and spread sunflower seeds on a baking sheet.
• Roast for 10-15 minutes, stirring/turning the pan occasionally, until fragrant and light golden brown.
• Add roasted sunflower seeds to a food processor (or high speed blender) and blend until a butter forms, scraping down sides as needed. It should take about 5-7 minutes. Resist the urge to add any additional oil (and especially not water, as it will cause the butter to seize up).
• Add salt, chia seeds, flax seed, hemp seed, and pumpkin seeds and mix/pulse to combine. Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more salt, or a bit of sweetener of choice if desired (avoid using liquid sweeteners, as they can cause the butter to seize up and lose its form).
• This spread is perfect for toast, baked goods, waffles, pancakes and more! Store at room temperature for 1-2 weeks, or in the refrigerator up to 1 month!

HOMEMADE SUNFLOWER BUTTER

Steps:

• Pour sunflower seeds into the container of a high-powered blender, such as a Vitamix®, and secure lid.
• Select Variable 1. Slowly increase speed to Variable 10, then switch from Variable to High. Use the tamper to push sunflower seeds into the blades, and mix until sunflower seed butter develops an oily sheen. Season with salt. Store in an airtight container.

HOMEMADE SUNFLOWER SEED BUTTER

Steps:

• If you use raw sunflower seeds like I do, it's best to roast them first. I like roasting them in the oven on a dry cookie sheet at 400F for about 8-10 minutes, I tend to burn them on the stovetop. Let them cool for a few minutes.
• Put the roasted seeds with the oil and salt into a food processor or blender, and pulse at high speed until smooth. You may have to scrape the sides down occasionally.
• Add a little more oil if the mix is still not binding.
• If you want to add sweetener, a thick sweetener like honey, maple syrup, or brown rice syrup would work best, and add 1 teaspoon at a time. Using something granulated like sugar or Sun Crystals might require more oil.
• Store in the refridgerator, and if the oil separates, mix before using. Yields about 1 cup.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN SUNFLOWER SEED BUTTER

Steps:

• Roast sunflower seeds until golden brown then set aside to cool. I found the best method to toast them is in a dry cast iron skillet over low-medium heat for approximately 10-15 minutes. Set aside to cool a little.
• Place your sunflower seeds into a food processor and blend for about 1-2 minutes or until the seeds look fine like brown sugar, scraping down the sides as necessary.
• With food processor running, drizzle in oil�a tablespoon at a time�until mixture is to desired consistency and texture is the same as that of peanut butter.
• If using unsalted seeds, stir in a little sea salt, to taste.
• Stir in sweetener of choice, to taste.