If you’ve never tried making homemade nut milk, you must. It’s the easiest thing to make and one of the hardest things to find at the grocery store without added ingredients like stabilizers, gums and added sweeteners. Plus, it a money-saver too, and who can argue with that?

What I love about this cashew milk is that you can pretty much make it however you please. If you’re using it in a savory way, just don’t add vanilla and now it’s essentially a dairy-free blank slate that you can use in baking or cooking, or just on it’s own. If you want to add a little more sweetness, use an unrefined sugar source such as maple syrup or dates. Just be aware that you’re dates may not blend up completely if you don’t have a high-powered blender such as a Vitamix.

I love using this homemade, super creamy cashew milk in smoothies and oatmeal. In fact, I just made a big batch of oatmeal this morning for myself and my toddler and it. was. divine. Plus, it’s a great way to add in some extra nutrients and healthy fats for my two-year-old. I’ve never been much of a “milk by the glass” drinker, but my toddler loves having a big glass full! And I simply can’t argue with that. She loves helping mommy make it, too!

I truly believe that one of the greatest gifts you can give children is a love and desire to cook/create real food. Being in the kitchen together instantly puts me in my happy place, and I can already see my two-year-old getting excited about cooking and trying new things with mom. I’m smiling just writing this 🙂

Unsweetened Vanilla Cashew Milk

servings: about 5 cups

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup raw cashews
• 4 cups water [plus more for soaking cashews]
• 1-2 tsp vanilla extract
• optional add ins: 1-2 dates, maple syrup, cinnamon

DIRECTIONS

Place 1 of cup cashews in a medium-sized bowl. Cover cashews completely with water. Cover with lid or plastic wrap and let soak for 8-12 hours, or overnight. Once soaked, drain and rinse cashews [discarding the soaking water]. Add cashews into a blender with 4 cups fresh water. Blend on high for a minute or two. Add vanilla extract and blend for another 30 seconds. At this point you can choose to add additional add-ins such as dates, maple syrup or cinnamon. Your dates may not blend completely if you don’t have a high-powered blender such as a Vitamix. Transfer milk to an air-tight beverage container and store in the fridge for 3-4 days. Shake well before each use as the milk with naturally separate.

*you can also strain your milk through a nut-milk bag before transferring to your beverage container to obtain a smoother consistency.

The Easiest Homemade Vanilla Cashew Milk

 

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Prep time

12 hours

Total time

12 hours

 

Author: Angela Freed

Serves: about 5 cups

Ingredients

• 1 cup raw cashews
• 4 cups water [plus more for soaking cashews]
• 1-2 tsp vanilla extract
• optional add ins: 1-2 dates, maple syrup, cinnamon

Instructions

1. Place 1 of cup cashews in a medium-sized bowl.
2. Cover cashews completely with water. Cover with lid or plastic wrap and let soak for 8-12 hours, or overnight.
3. Once soaked, drain and rinse cashews [discarding the soaking water].
4. Add cashews into a blender with 4 cups fresh water.
5. Blend on high for a minute or two.
6. Add vanilla extract and blend for another 30 seconds.
7. At this point you can choose to add additional add-ins such as dates, maple syrup or cinnamon.
8. Your dates may not blend completely if you don't have a high-powered blender such as a Vitamix.
9. Transfer milk to an air-tight beverage container and store in the fridge for 3-4 days.
10. Shake well before each use as the milk with naturally separate.
11. *you can also strain your milk through a nut-milk bag before transferring to your beverage container to obtain a smoother consistency.

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Have you tried making your own nut milk yet? Let me know! 🙂