What is Pecan Butter?

Pecan butter is a spreadable food product that can be used in a manner similar to real butter or peanut butter. It can be spread on bread or toast as a butter replacement. It can also be used on muffins and a variety of baked goods. Some people even add this butter to their salad dressings, fruit shakes, yogurt, ice cream and cereal. It can even be added to water to make a milk-like pecan beverage.

Many people enjoy pecan butter for its taste, but it is also rather healthy. Studies have shown that pecans are helpful for lowering cholesterol when added in smaller amounts to a person's diet. They also contain substances called phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are plant chemicals that are not necessary in a persons diet but are protective and preventative against disease and cell damage. Pecans also contain vitamins and minerals, including vitamin E, iron, and potassium.

Pecan butter and other nut butters are naturally high in fat. However, dietary experts agree that most healthy people can safely consume moderate amounts of fat, as long as they are mostly monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat, which are considered healthy fats. Pecans are a reliable source of unsaturated fats, including oleic acid, a monosaturated fat that is also found in olive oil--one of the healthiest cooking oils. In fact, 1 ounce (28.34 grams) of pecans has at least a 25 percent more oleic acid than 1 tablespoon (14.78 milliliters) of olive oil.

Often, people buy this nut butter in jar form from a local grocery, health, or gourmet store. However, it is fairly easy to make it home, as it mostly consists of puréed pecans and doesn't have to contain very many other ingredients. For example, a simple pecan butter recipe, which consists of finely ground pecans, can be made in just minutes. To make it, gather 3/4 cup (177 milliliters) of butter, 1/2 cup (118 milliliters) of pecans, 2 tablespoons (29 milliliters) of ginger, 1 teaspoon (4.9 milliliters) of brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) of allspice. These ingredients are mixed together and then stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator until the butter is consumed.

Store-packaged pecan butter can generally be found in 9- to 16-ounce (255.14- to 453.59-gram ) jars, although it may be available in different quantities as well. It's important to refrigerate pecan butter after opening it to keep it fresh. Often, pecan butter that is purchased from a store has other nuts added, such as cashews. Cashews add a natural sweetness to the nut butter and can counteract any bitterness that may be present because of the pecan skins. They also help to make pecan butter creamier.