Homemade Apple Butter
User Reviews
4.8
Homemade Apple Butter
Description
This Homemade Apple Butter recipe begins by cooking peeled and chopped apples with light brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, fresh lemon juice, and apple juice or cider in a heavy pot. After softening the apples, the mixture is pureed using an immersion or regular blender. The puree is then simmered on low heat until it thickens to a rich, spreadable consistency.
The finished apple butter is velvety smooth, richly spiced, and intensely fruity due to the slow cooking process that caramelizes the sugars and concentrates the apple flavor. The blend of warm spices adds depth that enhances the sweetness and balances the tartness of the apples and lemon juice.
Apple butter spreads well on bread or biscuits and can be incorporated into recipes for added flavor and moisture. It stores refrigerated in an airtight container once fully cooled. It can also be frozen for longer storage.
An alternative slow cooker method uses reduced apple juice and a longer low-heat cook time, requiring occasional stirring and blending to achieve the desired thickness without scorching.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds apple fuji, braeburn, red delicious, golden delicious, etc, sweet
- ⅔ cup light brown sugar packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
- ¾ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- ½ teaspoon cloves ground
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice fresh
- ¾ cup apple juice or apple cider, not cider vinegar
Instructions
- Peel, core, and chop apples. Add all ingredients to a large dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot. Stir well, then heat over medium heat until apples are soft, about 20 minutes.
- Use an immersion blender to puree the mixture. Alternatively, transfer the mixture to a regular blender and puree, then pour back into the same pot.
- Cook over low heat for approximately 45 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent spattering, until apple butter has thickened to desired consistency.
- Cool completely and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Apple butter can be frozen as well.
Notes
- The recipe yields approximately 3 to 3 ½ cups of apple butter, suitable for several servings.
- To prepare using a slow cooker, reduce the apple juice to ¼ cup and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours, blending and stirring to thicken as needed.
- Use an immersion blender directly in the pot or transfer to a blender to puree the softened apples for a smooth texture.
- Cool the finished apple butter completely before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator; it can also be frozen for longer storage.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 24(1 serving = 2 tablespoons)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 74 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1tablespoon | |
| Calories | 74 | 4% |
| Carbohydrates | 19g | 6% |
| Protein | 0.2g | 0% |
| Fat | 0.2g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.04g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.04g | 0% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.01g | 0% |
| Sodium | 3mg | 0% |
| Potassium | 79mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 17g | 34% |
| Vitamin A | 32IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 3mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 12mg | 1% |
| Iron | 0.2mg | 1% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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