This easy homemade pecan butter sweetened with maple syrup and finished with a sprinkle of kosher salt comes together in just a few minutes.
Made with only 4 ingredients, this nut butter is perfect spread on toast, as a dip for fruit, and wrapped up with a bow for an easy homemade Christmas gift!
October 22 is National Nut Day – a perfect time to whip up something nutty and delicious like this easy maple roasted pecan butter.
Whip up this homemade Maple Roasted Pecan Butter in just 15 minutes! #recipesI was also inspired by a trend I’ve noticed lately. There are all sorts of nut butters being sold at gourmet stores and online with enticing names like bourbon peanut pecan butter and almond ginger butter. I wanted in on the fun but not at the $13 for a tiny jar price tag. I thought… why not make my own? I did.
And it was easy. The method I’m sharing took only about 15 minutes.
How to make pecan butter
You will need a food processor or high-powered blender – whipping pecans into a creamy butter takes some power.
If you’re tempted to skip roasting, don’t. Roasting the pecans serves two purposes. It adds incredible depth and flavor. And importantly, processing warm pecans helped me get a smooth and creamy pecan butter without any additional oil.
The longer you roast, the more intense color and flavor you’ll get. Just be careful not to burn the pecans or you’ll end up with bitter butter. Keep an eye on ’em.
Tips for the best homemade pecan butter
Use a good quality food processor or high-powered blender. Whipping pecans into a creamy butter takes some work.
Roast or toast the pecans. Doing this helps provide more depth and flavor, as well as a creamier texture.
Take care not to over blend the pecan butter. Go only to the point where it’s perfectly creamy because just seconds later it will turn into a crumbly paste.
Maple pecan butter makes a perfect homemade holiday gift. Use the small mason jars with a bow. You’re done. Or add some homemade labels for a more personal touch.
What to eat with pecan butter
- spread over warm whole grain bread,
- on fresh apple slices,
- dolloped onto a warm baked sweet potato (my fave!), or
- swirled into a bowl of oatmeal.
How to store homemade pecan butter?
Though leaving the nut butter at room temperature is fine for a few days, if you’re storing it longer you’ll want to refrigerate it. You can store leftover pecan butter refrigerated in an airtight jar for up to a month. If you notice any oil separation – it’s only natural. Just stir it back in and spread away. If you take the room temperature route, store it in a sealed container in a dark, cool spot like a pantry. I like to use small glass mason jars.
How long does homemade pecan butter last?
Homemade pecan butter can last 3-4 weeks or more when refrigerated. It will last only a few days at room temperature. Like other nuts, pecans can go rancid quickly due to the high unsaturated fat content.
Maple Roasted Pecan Butter
Ingredients
- 2 cups raw pecan halves
- 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Roast the pecans in a single layer on a sheet pan for 5 minutes. Stir and roast an additional 3-5 minutes until nutty and slightly browned. Don’t let the nuts burn.
- Add the warm pecans to the food processor bowl. Pulse until the pecans are coarsely ground. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- Process on high 1-2 minutes. Scrape down the sides. Process an additional 3-5 minutes or until smooth and creamy.
- Add the maple syrup, salt, and cinnamon. Process just until incorporated.
- Enjoy the pecan butter on apples, warm bread or muffins or atop a baked sweet potato.
Notes
- Use a good quality food processor or high-powered blender. Whipping pecans into a creamy butter takes some work.
- Roast or toast the pecans. Doing this helps provide more depth and flavor, as well as a creamier texture.
- Take care not to over blend the pecan butter. Go only to the point where it's perfectly creamy because just seconds later it will turn into a crumbly paste.
- Maple pecan butter makes a perfect holiday gift. Use the small mason jars with a bow. You're done.
Nutrition
I have a hard time choosing favorites when it comes to nuts. I love almonds, cashews, pecans, peanuts and pistachios among others. But before I let the decision drive me nutty (ha), I went with what was right outside my door: pecans.
I live in Georgia. Pecan trees are everywhere – all over my neighborhood and even in my backyard. And at this time of year, the nuts are falling like the leaves. (The following is not a pecan tree. Just a pretty one I saw on my walk this afternoon. I love how it’s starting to change color.)
Lauren @ Eating with a Purpose
I bet this tastes very similar to pecan pie- yum! Will have to give this a try!
Marisa
Yes. Pecan pie is definitely one of my favorites. This pecan butter is not nearly as sweet though. Hope you enjoy!
Alanna
I am envious of your pecan trees! Something about the fall (maybe the pie?) reminds me of pecans and I just love them! I’ve never seen pecan butter before and am excited to try it out.
Marisa
It’s so creamy and delicious. And it’s hard to ignore pecans here in Georgia.. but who would want to? 🙂
Shashi at RunninSrilankan
Happy Nut Day! 🙂 Marisa – I live here in GA too!!! Where about are you?
You sure are right – nutbutters are insanely overpriced- DIY ones are so much more economical and taste better too – just like this amazing maple roasted pecan butter!
Marisa
Yes! So overpriced and unnecessarily so. Luckily they are so easy to make at home.
And yes, I’m in Atlanta -intown. Are you in the city too?
Karman Meyer
I tried Pecan Butter a few years ago at Food Blog South and it is the most amazing nut butter EVER! I can’t wait to try this recipe
Marisa
It really is quite delicious. I haven’t made it to FBS yet but it’s on my list. And speaking of the south… can’t believe I saw you for all of 5 minutes in Nashville. Thanks for being such a great resource for us all!
Diane
What a wonderful recipe to share. Pinning! BTW, jealous of your pecan tree.
Marisa
Thanks, Diane! I wish I could figure out how to harvest all the pecans!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
This is drink worthy 😉 Yum!
Marisa
Ha! Ha! Thanks, Rebecca!
Deanna Segrave-Daly
Ahhh – another reason to move South – pecan trees!! I’ve loving this recipe and may have to make a few extra batches for holiday gifts 🙂
Marisa
Yep! Come on down! I was thinking that these would be great holiday gifts too, Deanna! This and maybe one with cashew butter too.
Dorothy Henderson
Could I use the maple pecan paste as a filling for use with philo dough?
Marisa Moore
Maybe a very thin layer it will work but it depends on how you’re using the phyllo in a recipe.
Nancy Wilson
Thanks for the recipe Marisa. We think it looks great!
Marisa
Thanks, Nancy!
Aggie @ Aggie's Kitchen
What a pretty tree! This sounds awesome – I’ve never tried pecan butter. I just had a handful of pecans in my yogurt, I love them!
Marisa
Isn’t it gorgeous?! Yeah. I love the subtle sweetness pecans add to different dishes – especially savory ones.
EA Stewart
Yum!! Pecan butter is one of my favorites, and so easy, and like you say, a lot less cheaper, to make at home. I’ll make a batch and keep it in my fridge, then when I want a little something sweet, but healthy, I’ll dip my spoon right in and enjoy 🙂
Marisa
Pretty much what I’m doing these days! It didn’t hurt that I had to test this recipe a few times last week 🙂 So perfect with apples these days.
Rachel @ Delicious Balance
I love making nut butters! Once I figured out how easy it is to make, I’ve never been able to splurge on the gourmet flavors at the store! This combo sounds delicious!
Marisa
Thanks, Rachel! I’m a little addicted to making them at home now. This post might be a spoiler but some people may be getting little nut butter stocking stuffers this Christmas 🙂
Neha
I am so glad to have found your recipe. I was looking to make some pecan butter and now it will be Maple pecan butter! Thanks a bunch.
Julie @ RDelicious Kitchen
Love how simple this is! I’ve been thinking of making a bunch of nut butters as holiday gifts this year. This would be perfect!
Marisa
Yes. This would be perfect as gifts. So many different options! I’m loving this one right now though.
Anne|Craving Something Healthy
Oh how I wish I had pecans falling out of the sky! Love how easy this recipe is – such a great idea 🙂
Marisa
Ha! Ha! The challenge is to get outside daily to pick them up. And yeah… when it comes to recipes, I don’t do complicated but this one is beyond easy!
Jessica @ Nutritioulicious
Yum! love the addition of maple syrup and cinnamon. Sounds – and looks – so delish!
Marisa
It’s quite tasty, Jessica. I will say that a little goes a long way. The pecan flavor is amplified when blended into a butter.
Caroline Kaufman
OMG I am OBSESSED with this simple recipe!! Toasted pecans plus maple syrup?! I cannot wait to make this. I’m going to put this on toasted whole grain waffles…apples…maybe I’ll make no-bake protein bites from it. My mind is racing with maple roasted pecan butter opportunities 🙂
Marisa
Oh yeah! The options are endless. And a little goes a long way – the flavor is intense in a good way!
Lauren Grant | Zestful Kitchen
Wow! This pecan butter looks like heaven. I am going to have to give this a try. I even have a bag of raw pecans in my pantry right now!
Marisa
Do it. So worth it!
kim
This recipe was a hit with my family! So easy and super delicious! I’ll be making this one again and again!
Marisa
So happy to hear it! Thanks, Kim!
Roxana
This is like the perfect nut butter to have. It has all the things that I love. And healthy and tasty. Perfect for small snacks too.
Marisa
Agree! It’s perfect on pears and apples!
Jamie
Such a simple recipe for a delicious pecan butter! I love how it’s sweetened with maple syrup!
Marisa
The maple provides a deep not too sweet finish. It’s my fave!
Eden | Sweet Tea and Thyme
Welp it’s time to go steal those pecans from my grandma’s pecan tree! How long does the pecan butter last?
Marisa
Haha! Yes. Though you might have to give the squirrels a run for their money if your grandma’s yard is like mine! And the pecan butter will last for several weeks sealed in the fridge! But this small-batch usually lasts no more than a week in my house before it’s all gone!