How to Make Cashew Butter with Poppy Seeds – Healthy Recipe & Creative Gift Idea

Vegan Cashew Butter with Poppy Seeds: Simple Recipe & Pretty DIY Gift Wrapping

Would you like to learn how to make cashew butter at home – without refined sugar and with lots of love instead? In this post I’ll share an easy recipe for homemade cashew butter with poppy seeds that is vegan, high in protein and naturally gluten-free. It’s perfect as a spread for your breakfast, as a topping for porridge or fruit – and it makes a beautiful DIY edible gift from your kitchen, for Christmas, birthdays or simply as a small “thank you”.

Especially if you love making things yourself and enjoy gifting little tokens of appreciation, this recipe is made for you. And the loveliest part: you can prepare this homemade cashew butter together with children – step by step, in a calm rhythm, with plenty of stirring, tasting and laughing along the way. One jar is a small piece of homemade happiness.

Ingredients for Your Cashew Butter with Poppy Seeds

For one jar of homemade cashew butter with poppy seeds you’ll need:

• 200 g cashew nuts (unsalted)

• 2 tbsp poppy seeds

• 2 tsp milk (vegan: e.g. oat or almond milk)

• 2 tbsp coconut oil

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 pinch of salt

• 1 tsp brown sugar or alternatively 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup

With just these few ingredients you’ll create a creamy, gently vanilla-scented cashew and poppy seed spread that quietly enchants your breakfast table.

How to Make Cashew Butter – Step by Step

1. Prepare cashews and poppy seeds

Depending on your taste, you can first lightly toast the cashew nuts and poppy seeds in a dry pan over medium heat. This makes them even more aromatic and gives your cashew butter a warm, nutty note.

You can also – the way I often do – skip the toasting and continue using them raw.

Let the nuts cool down briefly after toasting.

2. Turn the cashews into a creamy butter

Place the cashew nuts into a mortar (or a strong blender/food processor) and start crushing them.

Gradually add the milk and coconut oil until you get a beautifully creamy consistency. Take your time – the longer you stir or blend, the smoother your cashew cream will become.

3. Fold in poppy seeds and sweetness

Now it’s time for the poppy seeds. Add them to the cashew cream and continue working everything in the mortar until the tiny black specks are well distributed and a smooth, even cream forms.

Then add the remaining ingredients:

• vanilla extract

• the pinch of salt

• sugar, honey or maple syrup

Mix everything well – ideally directly in the mortar or in a bowl with a spoon. If the cream feels too thick, you can add a little more milk or coconut oil until your cashew butter with poppy seeds flows just the way you like it.

4. Fill the cashew butter into jars

Pour the finished, still slightly warm cashew butter into clean jars.

Old jam jars work beautifully and can be given a second life this way. Let the butter cool down completely before sealing the jars with their lids.

Creative Gift Wrapping for Your DIY Cashew Butter

If you’d like to give your homemade cashew butter with poppy seeds as a gift, you can turn a simple jar into a small piece of art:

• Cut a small square of fabric – perfect for using fabric scraps. Place it in the centre over the jar lid.

• Secure the fabric with an elastic band.

• Wrap a ribbon or piece of twine over the elastic and tie a small bow.

• Attach a label to the twine – either handwritten with simple hand lettering or printed. You can also use an adhesive label and stick it directly onto the jar.

On the label you might write the name of the cashew and poppy seed cream, or add a little “homemade with love”. You’ll find hand-lettering ideas in many places here on my blog – maybe you’d like to try out different styles.

If you like, you can place your jar of cashew butter into a small gift basket and add:

• different types of bread

• fresh fruit

• a handwritten card with a personal note

This way you’ll create a vegan homemade gift that truly comes from the heart and tastes absolutely delicious.

How to Enjoy Your Cashew Butter in Everyday Life

Your new cashew and poppy seed cream is a little all-rounder. You can, for example:

• spread it on your breakfast bread

• use it as a topping for porridge or overnight oats

• serve it with fresh fruit

• add it as a special touch in desserts

Over time, you’ll probably discover your very own favourite combination.

This homemade cashew butter with poppy seeds is not only healthy and delicious, but also a loving way to show your appreciation for friends and family – as a Christmas present, birthday surprise or small “thank you for being you”.

Enjoy – and have lots of fun savouring, sharing and gifting it,and of course, making it yourself.

A hug and see you soon,

The step-by-step illustrations were created with AI for visual guidance. The other images show the real, homemade result.