How to Make Peanut Butter in the Vitamix Ascent X5

I sometimes hesitate to recommend making peanut butter in blenders, however the Vitamix Ascent X5 is the exception. It is the best blender I’ve ever tried, and it is best to undoubtedly make nut butters with it. Not solely is it absolutely the quickest nut processor I’ve ever examined (below a minute in some instances), however the ensuing peanut butter is extremely {smooth}. Right here’s the best way to make any nut butter within the Vitamix Ascent X5.

Find out how to use the nut butter operate on the Vitamix

1. Put together the nuts, if wanted

I wish to roast the nuts within the oven first, as a result of I like the candy, toasty taste. To do it, unfold out your nut of selection (I used walnut items at the moment) on a baking sheet in a single layer, and put the sheet pan in a 350°F oven for 5 to 12 minutes. This time will range relying on the nut, the dimensions of the items, and thickness of the sheet pan, so use your nostril as your information. As quickly as you begin to scent toasted nuts, give them a stir with a wood spatula and assess if you happen to want just a few extra minutes. They need to be golden with no burnt areas. Permit the nuts to chill on the sheet pan for at the least 10 minutes. Should you desire uncooked nut butters, although, skip this step and begin at step two.

2. Add the nuts to the Vitamix container

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Pour the nuts into the container and snap the lid on, however preserve the center plug lined up with the notches (see image) so it’s straightforward to un-stopper. You’ll want to make use of the tamper to help the nuts (the tamper is that black plastic baseball bat-looking factor that got here with the Vitamix Ascent X5), smashing them down towards the blade in the course of the one minute mix time. It’s greatest to have it proper subsequent to the blender—the preset timer goes by earlier than you understand it. 

3. Choose the nut butter preset 

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Press the button on the left above the knob that has three horizontal strains. The display screen will show a number of cute little cartoons of meals. Rotate the knob till you see a jar with a peanut inside. Press the play button on to the best of the knob.

4. Tamper in your life

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As soon as the engine kicks on, the preliminary kick-up of nut particles will cross after a second or two. Then you’ll be able to unstopper the middle plug and use the plastic tamper to jam the nuts down into the blades. The engine will kick up one other velocity degree and also you’ll hear it, however don’t let it cease your tampering. Should you’re ever doubtful of when to begin urgent, you’ll be able to take a look at the display screen. There’s a little bit tamper icon with a downward arrow signaling that tampering is critical.

The tamper icon seems to the left of the timer.
Credit score: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann

For a chunky butter, cease the machine after 30 or 40 seconds by urgent the identical begin/cease button to the best of the dial. Unplug the machine and stir the combination to see if it’s the consistency you want. Should you like a smoother nut butter, let it run for the total minute. To get a fair silkier nut butter, it’s possible you’ll wish to add one other 15 seconds by urgent the “+:15” button, which is on the best aspect above the rotating dial. However typically, as soon as the preliminary minute is up, you could have nut butter. That’s all it takes.

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If you wish to get a little bit inventive, you’ll be able to add just a few enjoyable components. I made a decision to make Rum Raisin Walnut Butter at the moment, so after the primary nut butter mix completed, I added some darkish rum, raisins, a contact of honey, and a little bit of salt. I chosen the nut butter preset once more, did some tamping, and stopped the mix after about 20 seconds to include the brand new components and {smooth} out my walnut butter. After all, you might preserve yours low key with only a pinch of salt and a few cinnamon, for instance.  

As soon as I emptied my walnut butter right into a glass container, I added heat water and a drop of cleaning soap to the container. (Don’t go increased than half full, the blender will swish the water aggressively.) Click on the little button within the middle with the picture of bubbles and let the blender clear itself. This setting is usually meant to get the blades clear, so don’t get annoyed if some peanut butter smears are nonetheless hanging out on the edges of the container. Simply carry it over to the sink and punctiliously wash the edges.

Credit score: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann

Should you’ve by no means made walnut butter earlier than, I extremely recommend it. This unfold turned out buttery-smooth with a salty and bitter edge, and it makes a wonderful companion for jam. It’s also possible to improve the honey or raisins if you’d like it to be sweeter. 

Rum raisin walnut butter recipe

Elements:

1. Roast the walnut items in a 350°F oven for 5 to 12 minutes, or till frivolously browned and aromatic. Permit to chill to room temperature for at the least 10 minutes.

2. Pour the walnut items into the Vitamix Ascent X5, add the lid, and choose the nut butter setting. 

3. Press begin, take away the central stopper on the lid and use the tamper to press the nuts down into the blades.

4. With the machine off, add the raisins, rum, honey, and salt. Put the lid again on and begin the nut butter setting once more. Tamper the combination because it blends for an additional 20 seconds. Cease the machine. Scoop the nut butter right into a container with a tight-fitting lid. Take pleasure in your new nutty unfold on toast, with cake, with yogurt, or over granola.