I loooove raw almond butter! I eat it every day someway, somehow...whether it's on my morning toast with sliced fruit, smeared on pieces of my favorite dark chocolate bar I get from Trader Joe's or with apples slices. It's the best. I was super excited to try out my own homemade batch. After letting it cool for a bit, it was just as good as the raw almond butter I purchase from Trader Joe's, only this was better because I made it myself. It really came out perfect...I'm very pleased. I used a pound of raw almonds which cost $4.99...this is the same price for the same amount of almond butter I currently get from TJ's. I have also seen it go for upwards of $16.00. I will be making this from now on at home as I like knowing exactly what's in my almond butter plus I love the ability to add any special ingredients for special occasions or just because. 

1 pound (16 oz) raw almonds or 2 1/2 cups 

a bit of patience

1/2 teaspoon or so of cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla extract or seeds of 1 vanilla bean

Add almonds to blender or food processor and pulse and blend until creamy. Stop frequently to push the sides down. (I found that gently shaking my food processor helped to keep the sides falling so I didn't have to stop as much. My machine has suction cups and stays put. But please, please, please use caution if doing this, I don't want you to break your appliance or hurt yourself.) 

The total time from beginning to end may take 15 to 25 min, depending on your machine. 

To make sure you get that super creamy texture, just when you think you're done...keep the blender going for another 5 minutes or so. I've stopped to soon and had a somewhat pasty batch, it wasn't bad but the creamier it is (like in my final photos) the easier it is to spread.

After about five minutes or so it will start to bind and clump. 

This is about 10 minutes in. Finally the almonds are starting to warm up and release the oils..it's coming together now. Add any additional ingredients at this time. At this point my neighbors were probably wondering what the heck I was doing. :) 

And now I know what that's all about...ready for some toast in the morning or some chocolate pieces smeared with the nuts of my labor.