Apple Butter
Apple Butter is a rich, smooth fruit spread made by slowly cooking apples with warm spices until thick and deeply flavored. Perfect for spreading on toast, biscuits, pancakes, or using in baked goods.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 48 servings (about 3 cups)
- Category: Spread
- Method: Slow Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 6 pounds apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1 cup apple cider or apple juice
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Place the sliced apples and apple cider in a large slow cooker or heavy pot.
- Cook the apples until they become very soft and tender.
- Puree the softened apples using an immersion blender or food processor until smooth.
- Stir in the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
- Continue cooking over low heat, stirring occasionally.
- Cook for several hours until the mixture thickens and darkens in color.
- Stir in the vanilla extract near the end of cooking.
- Allow the apple butter to cool before transferring it to jars or airtight containers.
- Refrigerate until ready to use.
Notes
- Add a pinch of allspice for extra warmth and depth.
- Replace some of the sugar with maple syrup for a richer flavor.
- Use a blend of sweet and tart apples for balanced flavor.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks or freeze for up to 6 months.
- If the apple butter is too thin, continue cooking until excess moisture evaporates.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 35 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 10 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Find it online: https://thefamilycooking.com/apple-butter/