Homemade Healthy Apple Butter
User Reviews
5
Homemade Healthy Apple Butter
Description
This apple butter uses roughly three pounds of apples, like sweet Honey Crisp, chopped into small pieces with cores discarded but peels left on for nutrients and texture. The apples cook slowly in a slow cooker combined with brown sugar, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and a pinch of salt. The slow cooking process at low temperature for 6 to 8 hours encourages natural caramelization and flavor development, resulting in deep apple sweetness.
Once softened, the apples are pureed using an immersion or regular blender until smooth, forming a thick and creamy spread. The spices impart warmth and complexity without overwhelming the apple’s bright flavor, while the vanilla adds a subtle sweetness.
The apple butter is stored refrigerated in an airtight container and can be used on toast, pancakes, or as an ingredient in baking. Adjust sugar or sweetener quantities depending on the sweetness of your apples and personal taste preferences. Adding lemon juice or zest can help balance sweetness if needed.
Ingredients
- 3 lb. apple I used Honey Crisp, sweet
- 1/2 cup brown sugar or substitute, dark or light
- 1/4 cup sugar or substitute
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp allspice
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp liquid stevia, optional or more sugar/sweetener of choice to taste
Instructions
- Cut the apples into small pieces and discard the cores (about 3/4- to 1-inch, I used the large setting on my vegetable chopper for this). You do not need to peel the apples.
- Add the apples to the slow cooker. Add the brown sugar, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt; stir/toss so everything is evenly dispersed.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours (recommended-see tip 3) or high for 3-4 hours.
- After the apples have cooked, use an immersion blender to puree the apples. (If you don’t have an immersion blender you could also use a blender. Place the apples and any liquid that the apples made into a blender. Cover with a lid and pulse for about a minute, until very smooth).
- Store apple butter in an airtight container in the fridge.
Notes
- Leaving apple peels on boosts nutrients and does not affect texture since the mixture is pureed.
- Adjust sugar amounts based on the sweetness of your apples and taste preferences.
- Cooking on low heat is preferred to bring out natural sugars and reduce liquid for a thicker apple butter.
- Sweetness can be balanced by adding a bit of lemon juice or zest if it becomes too sugary.
- Liquid stevia, maple syrup, or other sweeteners can substitute sugar as desired, but adjust quantity to taste.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 40servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 34 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 2Tbsp (30g) | |
| Calories | 34kcal | 2% |
| Carbohydrates | 8.1g | 3% |
| Protein | 0.1g | 0% |
| Fat | 0.1g | 0% |
| Fiber | 0.8g | 3% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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