Description
This homemade apple butter captures the essence of autumn with its rich, spiced flavor. Perfect for spreading on toast or pairing with savory dishes, it’s a comforting treat you won’t want to miss.
Ingredients
Scale
- 5–6 pounds of apples (mix of Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, and Granny Smith)
- 1 cup of light brown sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons of molasses
- 1 to 2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon of whole cloves (tied in a cheesecloth sachet)
- 1 cup of unsweetened apple cider (or water)
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon of ground allspice (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Apples: First, wash the apples thoroughly. Core and chop them into roughly 1-inch pieces, leaving the skins on for a smoother texture later, or peel if preferred.
- Combine Ingredients in a Pot: Transfer the chopped apples to a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven. Add the apple cider (or water), brown sugar, and molasses. If using whole cloves, tie them in a small cheesecloth sachet and add it to the pot. Stir everything gently to combine.
- Initial Cook Down: Place the pot over medium-low heat. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for about 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Blend Until Smooth: Remove the clove sachet. Use an immersion blender to blend the mixture until smooth. If using a regular blender, transfer the cooked apples in batches and process until smooth, then return the purée to the pot.
- Thicken the Apple Butter: Place the pot back on the stove over low to medium-low heat. Add the ground cinnamon and any optional spices. Cook down, stirring frequently, for 1.5 to 3 hours until thickened.
- Test for Doneness: Spoon a small amount onto a chilled plate. If there's no watery ring around the edge, it's ready. Adjust sweetness if desired.
- Jar It Up: Ladle the hot apple butter into clean, sterilized jars, leaving about 1/2 inch headspace. Wipe the rims clean, apply lids, and screw on the bands until finger-tight.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Preserve
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 1 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: Choose a mix of sweet and tart apples for the best flavor. You can use a slow cooker for the long reduction phase if preferred. Adjust spices to your taste.