APPLE BUTTER

Homemade Apple Butter is a scrumptious fall tradition that goes back many generations. This easy crockpot recipe will bring back fond memories of the apple butter your grandmother used to make with warm spices and a touch of vanilla extract. So much flavor with such simple ingredients.

We call this Sunday Apple Butter!  You put it in the crockpot at the crack of dawn, and it cooks all day, making the house smell like heaven. Then at supper time, you have the most amazing spread for your biscuits, toast, or warm yeast rolls. For breakfast, serve over pancakes or waffles, or add a spoonful to your oatmeal or yogurt.

Fall is approaching fast, and fresh crisp apples are at the market.  What better way to celebrate the season than with a crock full of apples, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg?  This is a small batch recipe that makes about two pints, so if you want to do some canning for gift-giving, I would double or triple the recipe.

HOW TO MAKE APPLE BUTTER

The first step is to peel, core, and slice the apples.  Then, add them to a crock pot with sugar, cinnamon, ground cloves, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt.  Slow cook on low for at least ten hours, then set the lid ajar so the steam can escape, and continue cooking until the mixture is dark and thick.  Spoon into jars and store in the refrigerator for up to several weeks and, if frozen, up to several months.  As always, check for spoilage, mold, strange odors, or colors. This apple butter would be even more delicious spread over this homemade Apple Bread or Sweet Cinnamon Swirl Bread.

WHAT APPLES ARE BEST FOR HOMEMADE APPLE BUTTER?

Gala, Fuji, Red or Golden Delicious, McIntosh, or Jonagold are good, meaty apples that make awesome butter.  Although Honey Crisp and Granny Smiths are great for baking, they are not ideal for an apple butter recipe, as you want softer apples for this. You can adjust the amount of sugar to the sweetness of the apples.

IS THERE REALLY BUTTER IN APPLE BUTTER?

This may come as a shock, but there is not any butter or anything that resembles butter in apple butter.  Hence the name butter comes from the smooth texture of the apple spread over toasted bread and warm biscuits. It is like super concentrated, smooth, applesauce with spices that is cooked down to a spread. You will see exactly what I mean after you make your own batch!

HOW TO COOK APPLE BUTTER ON THE STOVETOP

I like to make this recipe in a crockpot, but you can do this in a large pot on the stovetop. Add 3/4 cup water, apple juice, or apple cider to the mixture. Bring the pot to a simmer, and cook for 2 hours or until the apples are very soft and easily pureed with an immersion blender or stand blender. Don’t forget to remove the center cap on a stand blender. If the apple butter is too thin, put it back on the stove over low heat and simmer until desired consistency.

Certainly, this amazing jam will become a family tradition in your home and consequently bring the scrumptious taste of sweet fall apples and cinnamon to your table.

Homemade Apple Butter is a scrumptious fall tradition. This easy crockpot recipe will bring back fond memories of the butter your grandmother used to make.

• Author: Beth Pierce
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 hours
• Total Time: 10 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 36
• Category: Spread
• Method: Slow Cooker
• Cuisine: American

INGREDIENTS

• 3 1/2 pounds apples peeled cored and sliced
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• Pinch of nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Add the apples, sugar, cinnamon, ground cloves, salt, and nutmeg to a crock pot.  Slow cook on low for at least ten hours. Stir in the vanilla extract. Set the lid ajar so the steam can escape, and continue cooking until the mixture is dark and thick.
2. Using an immersion blender, puree the apple butter until smooth.
3. Spoon into jars and store in the refrigerator for 10-14 days.

NOTES

• A stand blender can be used as well, but cool the mixture first, and make sure you remove the cap on the blender so that steam escapes.
• Gala, Fuji, Red or Golden Delicious, McIntosh, or Jonagold are good, meaty apples that make awesome butter.
• To cook on a stovetop add 3/4 cup water, apple juice, or apple cider to the mixture. Bring the pot to a simmer, and cook for 2 hours or until the apples are very soft and easily pureed with an immersion blender or stand blender. Don’t forget to remove the center cap on a stand blender. If the apple butter is too thin, put it back on the stove over low heat and simmer until desired consistency.
• Store this apple butter in an airtight container or mason jar in the refrigerator for about 10-14 days. Or freeze for up to 6 months.

Credit: SmallTownWoman