3.8 from 156 votes
Apple Butter Brandy Meatballs
Apple Butter Brandy Meatballs, the name tells you all you need to know. These luscious meatballs are smothered in a sweet and tangy apple butter brandy sauce that will bring you to your knees. Technically for the cocktail hour, no one will complain if you serve them for dinner.
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 48 servings
Calories: 82 kcal
Course:
Appetizer
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb ground pork
- 1/2 medium onion finely minced
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp each salt and fresh cracked black pepper
- 2-3 Tbsp finely minced fresh sage
sauce
- 1 and 2/3 cups apple butter
- 3/4 cup barbecue sauce bottled
- 1 cup brandy
- 1 cup water
- 4 Tbsp chili sauce
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar optional
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F
- Mix the meatball ingredients together gently but thoroughly. I like to use my stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, but you can do it by hand, as well. Make sure everything is evenly incorporated into the meat before forming your balls.
- Use a tablespoon or small scoop to portion out the meatballs. You can them to be cocktail, or bite, sized. I use a rounded tablespoon for each ball. Roll them between your palms until they are smooth and round. Set them on a lightly greased cookie sheet.
- Bake the meatballs for 10 minutes in the preheated oven.
- To make the sauce, add all the ingredients to a large saucepan and heat, stirring to combine, until the sauce comes to a boil. Lower the heat and let it boil gently for about 5 minutes. Taste to adjust any of the ingredients or seasonings.
- Meanwhile heat a tablespoon or two of olive oil in a large skillet. After removing the meatballs from the oven, brown them, in batches, in the skillet. Cook, turning often, for about 5-7 minutes, or until done inside The internal temperature should reach 155F (the meatballs will continue cooking in the sauce.)
- Combine the meatballs and the sauce together and bring up to a gentle simmer. Cover and let simmer for a few minutes to heat everything through.
- Serve hot with toothpicks or cocktail forks. If you like you can load everything into a crock pot set on warm and serve from there.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- This recipe is not suitable for kids. Even though much of the alcohol will cook off, some will remain. Reduce the amount of brandy if you like.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1meatball
Calories
82kcal
(4%)
Carbohydrates
4g
(1%)
Protein
4g
(8%)
Fat
4g
(6%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
2g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
17mg
(6%)
Sodium
141mg
(6%)
Potassium
76mg
(2%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
24IU
(0%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
10mg
(1%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 48servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 82
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1meatball | |
| Calories | 82kcal | 4% |
| Carbohydrates | 4g | 1% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 4g | 6% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 17mg | 6% |
| Sodium | 141mg | 6% |
| Potassium | 76mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 24IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 10mg | 1% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.