Sunflower Butter Recipes

Steps:

• Make the chocolate layer: Gently melt the chocolate in a double boiler (a fitted bowl over a pot of simmering water), stirring the sides with a spatula so the chocolate does not stick or scorch on the edges.
• Spread 8 to 10 cupcake liners (or 12 to 16 small ones) on a baking sheet and spoon a thin layer of chocolate in the bottom of each, 1/4- to 1/2-inch thick. (This should use half of the melted chocolate. Keep the remaining chocolate warm over warm water.) Place the baking sheet in the freezer for at least 15 to 20 minutes and up to 4 hours to allow the chocolate to set up.
• Make the "butter" layer: Drain the excess oil off the top of the sunflower butter. Add the sunflower butter (or cinnamon cookie butter) to a medium bowl. Sift the confectioners' sugar (use 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar if using cookie butter, or 1/2 cup if using sunflower butter) over the top of the butter and fully combine using a rubber spatula. Roll the butter into tablespoon-sized balls for the large cups, or teaspoon-sized balls for the small cups. Flatten gently between your palms. Remove the baking sheet from the freezer and place the flattened butter patties on top of the chocolate, pressing down lightly. Tap the tray on the counter a few times to help flatten the layers. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 12 hours.
• Remove the baking sheet from the fridge, then gently press any uneven layers down and spoon the remaining melted chocolate over the butter layer on all of the candies. Refrigerate until it hardens, at least 1 hour and preferably up to 12 hours. Keep refrigerated and wrapped in plastic if serving the next day. (If using white chocolate, store finished treats in the freezer.)

Steps:

• Pour sunflower seeds into the container of a high-powered blender, such as a Vitamix®, and secure lid.
• Select Variable 1. Slowly increase speed to Variable 10, then switch from Variable to High. Use the tamper to push sunflower seeds into the blades, and mix until sunflower seed butter develops an oily sheen. Season with salt. Store in an airtight container.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Combine shortening, sunflower seed butter, white sugar, and brown sugar in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer until light and airy. Add eggs one at a time and continue beating on medium speed until very light.
• Sift flour, baking soda, ground ginger, and salt into a separate bowl. Mix well. Stir in candied ginger, chocolate, and sunflower seeds.
• Gradually add flour mixture to the creamed shortening mixture, stirring gently until combined. Do not overmix. Drop teaspoonfuls of dough onto ungreased cookie sheets.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cookies appear set, 8 to 10 minutes. Do not wait for the edges to brown. Cool on the cookie sheets for 2 to 5 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Steps:

• Toast the seeds in a large, dry frying pan over a low heat, stirring so they don't burn. This will enhance the flavour and help release the oils. Tip the seeds into a high-powered blender and blitz while they're still warm, until finely chopped and powdery.
• If your blender is high-speed, you can make the butter from the seeds alone - continue to blitz until the oils are released and the seeds turn into a smooth butter (this may take 20-30 mins), stopping to scrape down the sides and let the motor rest occasionally. If you don't have a high-speed blender, slowly add the coconut oil with the motor running, and continue to blitz until the mix comes together into a ball, then transforms into butter.
• Add the syrup and/or salt to taste, or leave plain. Spoon into sterilised jars (see tip, below) and chill until needed. Will keep chilled for up to a month.