Cookie butter is a deliciously creamy spread made from crushed cookies, offering a rich, buttery flavor with a hint of spice. It’s perfect on toast, in desserts, or even straight from the jar! The best part? You can make it easily at home with just a few ingredients and in less than 20 minutes.
What Is Cookie Butter?
Cookie butter is essentially ground-up cookies blended with fats and liquids to create a smooth, spreadable consistency similar to peanut butter or Nutella. The flavor depends on the cookies you choose-popular options include gingersnaps, Speculoos (Biscoff), gingerbread, or even chocolate chip cookies. The result is a sweet, spiced, and creamy treat that’s incredibly versatile.
Ingredients You’ll Need
– Cookies: About 2 cups of hard, crisp cookies like gingersnaps, Speculoos, or any other favorite crunchy cookie.
– Milk or cream: Around 1/4 cup to help achieve the creamy texture.
– Fat: Coconut oil or butter, about 2 tablespoons, to add richness.
– Sweetener: Brown sugar or powdered sugar, optional, for extra sweetness.
– Flavorings: Vanilla extract, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt to enhance the taste.
Equipment
– Food processor or blender (essential for grinding cookies and blending the mixture).
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Crush the Cookies
Place your cookies in a food processor and grind until they become fine crumbs.
- Add Flavor and Liquids
Add the milk (or cream), coconut oil (or butter), sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt to the cookie crumbs.
- Blend Until Smooth
Process everything together for a couple of minutes. If the mixture is too thick, add a little more milk until you reach your desired creamy consistency.
- Store and Enjoy
Transfer your cookie butter to a jar and refrigerate for a couple of hours to firm up. It will keep well in the fridge and can be enjoyed as a spread, dip, or dessert ingredient.
Tips for Making the Best Cookie Butter
– Choose your cookie wisely: The flavor of cookie butter depends heavily on the cookie base. Gingersnaps and Speculoos offer a warm, spiced flavor, while chocolate chip cookies create a sweeter, more indulgent spread.
– Adjust sweetness and spice: Feel free to add more cinnamon, vanilla, or sugar to suit your taste.
– Texture matters: For a chunkier spread, pulse the mixture less; for ultra-smooth, blend longer.
– Experiment with fats: Coconut oil adds a subtle tropical note, while butter gives a classic richness.
Creative Uses for Cookie Butter
– Spread it on toast, bagels, or pancakes.
– Use as a dip for fruit or pretzels.
– Swirl into oatmeal or yogurt for extra flavor.
– Incorporate into frosting or cake batter.
– Drizzle over ice cream or blend into milkshakes.
Cookie butter is a delightful homemade treat that’s easy to customize and perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth in a new way. Give it a try, and you might just find a new pantry staple!
Enjoy your homemade cookie butter!