Description
Experience the essence of autumn with this rich and velvety Homemade Apple Butter spiced with cinnamon and cloves. Perfect for spreading on toast or adding to your favorite dishes, this recipe captures the warmth of fall in every bite.
Ingredients
- Apples (mix of sweet and tart varieties such as Fuji, Gala, Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, or Braeburn)
- Brown sugar
- Granulated sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Cinnamon sticks (optional)
- Ground cloves
- Whole cloves (optional)
- Non-alcoholic apple cider
- Water (if cider is not available)
- Non-alcoholic apple cider vinegar
- Salt (a tiny pinch)
Instructions
- Prepare the Apples: Peel, core, and chop all your apples into roughly 1-inch pieces.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine the chopped apples, both types of sugar, ground cinnamon (and cinnamon sticks if using), ground cloves (and whole cloves if using), non-alcoholic apple cider (or water), the tiny pinch of salt, and the splash of non-alcoholic apple cider vinegar. Stir until well coated.
- Initial Cook (Stovetop Method): Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then reduce to low, cover, and cook for 20-30 minutes until the apples have softened.
- Initial Cook (Slow Cooker Method): Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours until the apples are extremely tender.
- Puree the Apples: Remove any cinnamon sticks or whole cloves and use an immersion blender to puree the mixture until smooth.
- Reduce and Thicken (Stovetop): Return the pureed mixture to the stove over low heat and cook uncovered for 1-3 hours, stirring frequently.
- Reduce and Thicken (Slow Cooker): Continue to cook on low, uncovered, for another 2-4 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Check for Doneness: Spoon a small amount onto a cold plate; if there's no watery ring after a minute, it's done.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste and add more sugar or spices if desired, stirring well.
- Cool and Store: Allow the apple butter to cool before transferring to clean jars or containers.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 3-8 hours
- Category: Spread
- Method: Stovetop or Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 1 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for a complex flavor. Stir frequently during the thickening phase to prevent sticking. Adjust spices to taste as they intensify during cooking.