Description
Homemade apple butter is a delightful, spiced spread that captures the warmth of autumn in every bite. With its rich, caramelized flavor and smooth texture, this easy recipe allows you to create your own apple butter from scratch in just a few hours. Perfect for slathering on toast, topping pancakes, or incorporating into desserts, it’s a versatile addition to any meal or gathering. Plus, homemade apple butter makes for a thoughtful gift that family and friends will love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 lbs apples (about 10 small-medium apples)
- ½ cup apple juice (or cider)
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Core and chop the apples into chunks; peeling is optional.
- In a large stock pot, combine chopped apples with apple juice, lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
- Cover the pot and cook over medium-low heat for 1-2 hours until apples are soft.
- Use an immersion blender to puree the mixture until smooth; return to heat and cook another 30-60 minutes until thickened.
- Test for doneness by cooling a spoonful on a plate; if there's no water separation, it's ready.
- Spoon warm apple butter into jars and refrigerate for up to three weeks.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 30g
- Calories: 60
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 1mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: <1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: For best flavor, mix sweet and tart apples such as Fuji and Granny Smith. Adjust sweetness by tasting during cooking; not all apples have the same sugar content. Consider adding spices like nutmeg or vanilla for unique variations.