This smooth cinnamon cocoa hemp heart butter that folks with or without nut allergies will love. Featuring hemp seeds, this nut-free butter is a pantry essential! Don’t forget to try my nut butter recipe too!
My heart breaks when I hear of a child that is allergic to peanut butter, or that peanut butter is banned from a classroom because a student has peanut allergies.
As a former peanut butter addict, I can’t imagine someone growing up without ever having a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Or celery with peanut butter. Or stir-fry with a spicy peanut nut butter sauce…
Oh goodness, can a childhood truly be a childhood without peanut butter?!
Don’t get me wrong – I know allergies are no laughing matter. Whether small or life-threatening, zero-tolerance rules both at home or away are there for good reasons. It’s just that peanut butter is so darn GOOD and I feel bad these kids are missing out on something so delicious!
There are other options, including homemade nut butter that can be made from any nut you want. But that doesn’t do you much good if you’re allergic to ALL nuts… or if a class is determined to be a nut-free zone.
But what WILL do you good is some delicious, cinnamon cocoa hemp heart butter. Oh. Yeah.
Heart Hemp Butter
Before you think I’ve gone looney and suggested you make psychedelic nut butter for your kids, here’s a quick lesson about the hemp plant.
- It’s not the same as marijuana.
- Ever heard of a Chihuahua? A wolf? Both come from the same breed, but only one would make a great pet.
- Hemp and marijuana are similar. Same breed, two totally different plants. Eat hemp, and adopt a Chihuahua.
- Don’t eat marijuana, and don’t adopt a wolf.
If that’s not sufficient for you, Manitoba Harvest has put together this awesome FAQ.
Ok, now that the PSA is out of the way, let’s talk about this creamy, chocolatey, cinnamon-y, nut-buttery goodness that you can whip up in less than a minute.
Here’s What You Need for Smooth Hemp Seed Butter
- Hemp hearts. I found Manitoba Harvest‘s hemp hearts while working on recipes and immediately, we hit it off. If you can believe it, these little affordable seeds are packed with nutrition and contain more protein per ounce than chicken! Here is another brand I use.
- Their simple, nutty flavor works in so many different recipes… from stirring into a bowl of oatmeal, tossing onto a simple salad, or even adding to trail mix – these little seeds never cease to amaze me in their versatility. No wonder why we get along so well!
- Coconut oil. I use this kind.
- Chocolate and cinnamon. You wouldn’t ordinarily find these two ingredients sharing a recipe together, but I experienced the deliciousness of chocolate cinnamon ice cream that literally made my taste buds feel like there were sparklers in my mouth.
- Honey. There’s nothing artificial or processed here. We’re keeping it au natural, and enjoying every last bite. Vegans or anyone else who happens to find themselves without honey (a slight side effect from a no-spending challenge?) can easily substitute maple syrup for sweetener. The end result will be just as delicious – I promise!
- Pinch of salt. I highly recommend Ava Jane’s Kitchen. You may think all salt is created equal, but unfortunately, 90% of the salt produced around the world contains microplastics (gross, right?). Ava Jane’s Kitchen is an exception. Their salt is 100% microplastic-free, and it’s SO GOOD! Plus, you can get a bag for just 1¢!! (Get your penny bag of salt on this page.)
How to Make Hemp Heart Butter
Step 1. Melt coconut oil over a double boiler or in the microwave. Set aside.
Step 2. Using either a Blendtec or a food processor, combine hemp hearts, cocoa powder, honey, cinnamon, and salt. Measure coconut oil into the jar.
Step 3. If using a blender, process on level 9 for 20 seconds, twisting the lid counterclockwise while blending. If using a food processor, process on high for 20 seconds.
Step 4. Taste and adjust flavors as desired. If the butter is too thick, add 1 more Tbsp of melted coconut oil and process on high for 10-20 seconds.
Step 5. Store in a glass jar with a lid, in the refrigerator. Hemp heart butter will be good for up to two weeks.
Hemp Seed Butter FAQs
Is it OK to eat hemp hearts every day?
According to u003ca href=u0022https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-hemp-seeds#:~:text=While%20hemp%20seeds%20are%20a,if%20you%20take%20certain%20medications.u0022u003eWebMDu003c/au003e, hemp hearts can be eaten in moderation but make sure not to eat an excessive amount. Eating too much can lead to fat and high-calorie intake.
Do hemp hearts need to be refrigerated?
Once the bag of hemp hearts is opened, store it in the refrigerator. If you have an unopened bag, you can store it in a dry and cool place. You can even freeze them and make them last longer!
What can I use hemp heart butter for?
You can use hemp heart butter for a variety of recipes. I use this nutritional goodness as drizzles, dressings, and sauces!
Recipe Tips for Hemp Heart Butter
I just have three tips for you on this recipe, and they’re both for your own good.
1. Don’t process this recipe on the level “low.”
These little seeds naturally contain healthy omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which kinda makes them fragile. If you stick them in your Blendtec or food processor and turn the speed on low thinking you’ll slowly get delicious, creamy butter, you won’t. You’ll damage the seeds and end up with sticky, goopy, chunky butter in the oil. Trust me on this one.
2. Hemp heart butter on its own is green.
The seeds themselves are tanish, but their outer coating is a greenish hue. That green is magnified when combined with other yummy flavors like vanilla and maple, which makes for an absolutely yummy spread… that just so happens to be green. (For this flavor combination, omit cocoa and cinnamon above. Add 1 tsp vanilla and substitute maple syrup for honey. YUM!)
This is just a heads-up. Your kids probably won’t notice if it’s already in a sandwich, but there’s no hiding it if they’re dipping or catching you with the jar and a spoon. If that’s the case, this cinnamon cocoa flavor is just what you need.
3. Get creative with the flavors!
Just because we’re not using peanuts doesn’t mean your butter has to be boring! Try mixing cinnamon with raisins, or subbing white chocolate chips or even dark chocolate for the cocoa powder. I’ve heard adding a few shakes of chili flakes is good too, although you might just save that for the adults-only jar.
Ever thought of a nut-free Nutella? Oh yeah… add more cocoa and more sweetener and you’re well on your way!
More Simple Recipes
Fight Inflation Workshop
Sign up for my FREE Fight Inflation Workshop and learn simple strategies to save money, even with rising food costs!Cinnamon Cocoa Hemp Heart Butter
This smooth cinnamon cocoa hemp heart butter that folks with or without nut allergies will love. Featuring hemp seeds, this nut-free butter is a pantry essential! Don’t forget to try my nut butter recipe too!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: approx 12 oz 1x
- Category: Sauces & Condiments
- Method: Blender
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups hemp hearts
- 3 Tbsp coconut oil, melted and slightly cooled (measured after melting)
- 2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- pinch salt
Instructions
- Melt coconut oil over a double boiler or in the microwave. Set aside.
- Using either a Blendtec or a food processor, combine hemp hearts, cocoa powder, honey, cinnamon, and salt. Measure coconut oil into the jar.
- If using a blender, process on level 9 for 20 seconds, twisting the lid counterclockwise while blending.
- If using a food processor, process on high for 20 seconds.
- Taste and adjust flavors as desired. If the butter is too thick, add 1 more Tbsp of melted coconut oil and process on high for 10-20 seconds.
- Store in a glass jar with a lid, in the refrigerator. Hemp heart butter will be good for up to two weeks.
Notes
Get creative with the flavors!
- Just because we’re not using peanuts doesn’t mean your butter has to be boring! Try mixing cinnamon with raisins, or subbing white chocolate chips or even dark chocolate for the cocoa powder. I’ve heard adding a few shakes of chili flakes is good too, although you might just save that for the adults-only jar.
- Ever thought of a nut-free Nutella? Oh yeah… add more cocoa and more sweetener and you’re well on your way!
Nutrition
- Calories: 31
OMG this stuff is delicious! I can’t eat nut butters, so I’m excited that I can eat this. Thank you for sharing your recipe with us!
You are most welcome Michelle! Enjoy!
I can’t wait to try this! What do you normally put this on?! 🙂
Thank you for the recipe!
I can’t stop snacking…. I don’t know if that’s good or bad!
I have daily cravings for pb, and as of tonight with my new batch of hemp heart butter…. nothing!
I did sub Xylitol and coconut milk for honey in order to lower the carbs. Yum!
Yummy looking recipe! Do you think it might work with hemp seeds (not shelved hearts)? I have a bag lying around and no idea what to do with it 🙂
Hmm, I haven’t tried that Sara! It’s worth a shot though. If all else, add them to homemade granola, granola bars, oatmeal or in salads or smoothies!
Thanks! I think i’ll give it a go and see how it goes 🙂
The extraneous addition of saturated fat laden coconut oil can interfere nutritionally with the unique value of hemp specific fatty acid content. I use a bottom of the line, ordinary food processor and only add small amount of organically flavored acidic liquid and sea salt after it gets going. Comes out warm, green ‘n creamy..with no separation other than than those darned overpriced included hard hull fragments.
It’s indeed the bomb to add to almost any concoction…also, preferably stay away from extracted sugars which will in this instance create a high index of advanced glycation end product..sometimes will add finely chopped unsweetened dried organic cranberries near the end of hemp butter creation for sweetiness. I have no sponsors.
Hi Kikken – would you mind explaining a bit further? How exactly would healthy saturated fat interfere with the healthy nutritional value of EFA’s in hemp? And I’ve never heard of “organically flavored acidic liquid” either – would you mind sharing where you buy this?
Raw honey is actually extremely beneficial, and I doubt that the very small amount you would receive in a serving of hemp butter would have an adverse effect on the body as you suggest a typical “advanced glycation end product” would. Both sea salt and cranberries would be great additions though, and of course, I know you don’t have sponsors. 🙂
Thanks for this great recipe! Just wondering if this butter could be canned and preserved? I’m kind of a -make a bunch all at once- kind of person. Thanks!
Hi Shayla! I haven’t tried it, and I’m novice at canning anything but tomatoes, lol! Hopefully someone else might be able to chime in!
Would this work with Vitamix? If yes, what speed should I use?
Thank you.
Hi Minna, I’m sure this would work with any high-powered blender, but because I’m a die-hard true fan to Blendtec, I can’t offer any tips to a Vitamix. 🙂
I tried with a Vitamix and it was a disaster, perhaps it was because the blade in mine is for liquids. I ended up tansferring the mix to a cheaper smaller Cuisinart Mini-Prep.
Do you have the nutritional breakdown of your recipe…..I’m looking forward to trying this!
I don’t Melissa, but you can estimate using the nutritional information on the hemp hearts. Since what’s added doesn’t offer much, you’ll get pretty close. I hope you enjoy it!
LOL, I hope you enjoy the recipe!!
Wow, this recipe is so great. I just made it in no time flat. Thanks for being so innovative and coming up with a tasty, healthy spread. Loved it! Thanks.
You’re most welcome Michelle, although the true credit goes to the ice cream shop. 😉 I’m glad you liked it!!
Oy! I didn’t see that one coming Abi, lol! I’ll give our next batch a test in the food processor and update if it works. You shouldn’t miss out on this because of a machine. 🙂
Hi! You’ve inspired me to buy hemp hearts for the first time. I made this hemp butter yesterday and it is yummy! But… I must admit I’m not sure what to eat it with!! Graham crackers? Bread? Spoon? 🙂
Thanks for another great recipe. I’ve learned a lot from your blog.
All of the above! 🙂 We’ve been eating it in place of peanut butter on biscuits, which is lovely. It makes lunch feel more like dessert! You can also use it to dip fruits/veggies or even mix it up in ice cream, or add to smoothies. 🙂 You’re most welcome Marisa, and thank you for your kind words!
I buy these hemp seed hearts all the time, but never actually knew what the brand name was. I’ve got a bag of hemp seeds in the cabinet just asking to be made into this delicious nut-free butter. Thanks for the recipe!
That’s funny Margaret Anne! I guess now you know! I don’t think I’ve seen any other brands in the store, but then again, one big bag from Costco lasts me quite awhile. I hope you enjoy the recipe!