Homemade Apple Butter Recipe

Homemade Apple Butter Recipe

Ingredients:

• 5 lbs of apples (such as Fuji, Gala, or McIntosh), peeled, cored, and sliced
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup apple cider or water

Equipment:

• Large pot or slow cooker
• Immersion blender or food processor

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Apples:
   • Peel, core, and slice the apples. The smaller the pieces, the faster they will cook down.
2. Cook the Apples:
   • In a large pot or a slow cooker, combine the apples with granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
   • Pour in the apple cider (or water) for a bit of liquid to help the cooking process start.
3. Slow Cook:
   • If using a slow cooker, cover and cook on low for about 10 hours, stirring occasionally, until the apples are completely soft and caramelized.
   • If using a pot, simmer over low heat, covered, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. This may take several hours.
4. Puree the Mixture:
   • Once the apples are completely soft and broken down, use an immersion blender to puree the mixture directly in the pot or transfer it to a food processor to blend until smooth.
5. Cook Down Further:
   • Continue cooking the pureed apple mixture on low heat, uncovered, until it thickens and becomes dark brown. The longer it cooks, the thicker and more flavorful it will become.
6. Add Vanilla:
   • Stir in the vanilla extract after the apple butter has reached your desired consistency.
7. Preserve and Store:
   • Transfer the hot apple butter into sterilized jars. Seal and process in a water bath if you wish to store them for a long time, or simply store them in the refrigerator for immediate use.
8. Enjoy:
   • Apple butter is perfect as a spread on bread or muffins, a topping for yogurt or ice cream, or even as a mix-in for oatmeal.

This apple butter recipe is a great way to enjoy the flavors of fall any time of year and makes for a comforting, homemade treat! Enjoy your cooking!