Soak 1 cup cashews for about 6 hours in salt water (2 teaspoon of unrefined sea salt dissolved in 2 cups filtered water).
When they are done soaking, rinse and strain the cashews and puree them in a blender or food processor until smooth. They should be salty from the soaking process, but you can add an extra pinch or two if it tastes bland. The saltiness will depend on how much water the cashews absorbed which can vary with different soaking times and temperature of your kitchen. Once the cashew butter is to your liking, try not to eat it all out of the blender! haha...it is so delicious!
To read about the benefits of soaking nuts, seeds, beans, and grains, go here: Soaking to increase digestion and mineral absorption
Salted Cashew Butter Filling
3/4 cup cashew butter (from above)
1 Tablespoon maple syrup, agave, honey, or date syrup
2 Tablespoons melted coconut oil
Stir the three ingredients together and drop spoonfuls into the bottoms of an ice cube tray, silicone mold, or mini muffins cups. It will help prevent sticking if you grease the trey with a little coconut oil. Place in the freezer for 10 minutes to set.
Chocolate
1/4 cup raw cacao powder
1 Tablespoon maple syrup, agave, or honey
1/4 cup melted coconut oil
Stir the three ingredients together and spoon over the set cashew butter. Let it sit in the freezer for about 15 minutes to set. (Pictured above)
OR
You can put the cashew butter in the center of the chocolate which tends to pop out easier for me than the first method. (Pictured below)
Spoon a small amount of chocolate into the bottom and let it set for 5 minutes in the freezer. Spoon a small amount of cashew butter on top of the set chocolate and let it freeze for 5 minutes. Then top it off with some more chocolate and let the whole thing set for about 15 minutes.
I suggest keeping it in the freezer until you serve them because the coconut oil will get soft at room temperature and you will have squishy chocolate. I popped them out of the tray and froze them in little zip locked bags to give people. They are fun little presents!