Description
This homemade apple butter recipe yields a rich, smooth, and flavorful spread made from slow-cooked apples and warm spices. Perfect for spreading on toast, swirls in yogurt, or as an ingredient in desserts, it balances natural apple sweetness with hints of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg for a cozy, fall-inspired treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Apples
- 6 pounds apples (peeled, cored, and chopped)
Spices and Sweeteners
- 2 cups sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Cook the Apples: Place the peeled, cored, and chopped apples into a large pot or slow cooker. Cook on low heat for 4 to 6 hours, stirring occasionally, until the apples become very soft and easily mashable.
- Blend the Apples: Use an immersion blender or transfer the cooked apples in batches to a food processor and puree until completely smooth and creamy in texture.
- Add Spices: Stir in the sugar, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, and salt thoroughly to combine. Continue cooking the mixture on low heat for an additional 8 to 10 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and allowing the apple butter to thicken and deepen in flavor.
- Finish and Cool: Remove the apple butter from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Allow the mixture to cool completely before transferring it into sterilized jars for storage.
Notes
- Adjust sugar quantity according to the tartness of your apples and your personal sweetness preference.
- Use a slow cooker for a hands-off approach and even cooking.
- Ensure the apple butter is thickened to your liking before finishing.
- Store apple butter in sterilized jars and refrigerate for up to two weeks or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-16 hours
- Category: Sauce / Spread
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
