Apple butter is a rich, flavorful spread made from slowly simmered apples, sugar, and spices. It has a thick, spreadable consistency and a deep amber color. The flavor is sweet and tart, with hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Apple butter is a versatile condiment that can be used in a variety of ways. It can be spread on toast, pancakes, or waffles, or used as a filling for pies, tarts, and cakes. It can also be added to oatmeal, yogurt, or ice cream for a sweet and flavorful treat. This article provides three different recipes for making apple butter: a classic recipe, a slow cooker recipe, and an instant pot recipe. Each recipe includes step-by-step instructions and helpful tips to ensure success. Whether you're a seasoned home cook or a beginner, you're sure to find a recipe that suits your needs and helps you create delicious, homemade apple butter.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
APPLE BUTTER
A great answer to that eternal question - "What do I do with all these apples?" - apple butter is a sweetened, concentrated, lightly spiced spread that's smoother than jam and thicker than applesauce and fantastic on buttered toast, thinned with vinegar as a sauce for pork chops, or used to top breakfast treats like pancakes, waffles or biscuits. The apples here are intentionally left unpeeled and uncored to take advantage of the extra flavor in the peels and pectin-rich cores. (A pass through a food mill or sieve after cooking will pull them out.) As for the ideal apple butter apple - well, there is none. Use nearly any variety: This recipe is only improved by mixing and matching. Note, too, that this can be made on the stovetop or in the oven. The oven method may take longer, but it can be worthwhile if only to avoid the inevitable splattering of the stovetop method.
Provided by Alison Roman
Categories jams, jellies and preserves
Time 3h
Yield About 4 cups
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Combine apples, vinegar, allspice berries (if using), cinnamon sticks (if using), ginger (if using), star anise pod (if using) and 4 cups water in a large, heavy bottomed pot over high heat. Bring to a simmer and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are completely softened and the liquid has reduced by half, 30 to 40 minutes. (Some pieces of apple might float at first; they will sink and become submerged as they soften.) Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Leaving behind allspice berries, cinnamon sticks and star anise pod, pass the apples through a food mill. (Alternatively, working in batches, ladle apples into a strainer or colander, and using a ladle, wooden spoon or spatula, press apples to pass pulp through, leaving behind seeds and skin.)
- To finish on the stovetop: Place apple pulp in the same large, heavy-bottomed pot, add granulated sugar and light brown sugar and stir to dissolve. Cook on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture is thick, glossy and a deep golden brown (somewhere between honey and molasses), 2 to 2 1/2 hours. (Around the 1 1/2-hour mark, things will start to bubble rather violently. Stirring constantly will help, but expect, and be careful of, a few splatters.) To test the thickness, spoon a bit onto a plate: The mixture should set almost immediately with no spreading or wateriness. If it's not there yet, cook another 8 to 10 minutes and test again. When the desired consistency is reached, season with kosher salt.
- To finish in the oven: Heat oven to 300 degrees. Place apple pulp in a 9-inch by 13-inch (3-quart) baking dish, add granulated sugar and light brown sugar and stir to dissolve. Place in oven and let cook, stirring every 30 minutes or so, until mixture is thick, glossy and a deep, golden brown color (somewhere between honey and molasses), 3 to 3 1/2 hours. To test the thickness, spoon a bit onto a plate: The mixture should set almost immediately with no spreading or wateriness. If it's not there yet, cook another 20 to 30 minutes and test again. When the desired consistency is reached, season with kosher salt.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 311, UnsaturatedFat 0 grams, Carbohydrate 80 grams, Fat 0 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 1 gram, SaturatedFat 0 grams, Sodium 19 milligrams, Sugar 72 grams
INSTANT POT® APPLE BUTTER
Traditional apple butter ingredients cooked in an electric pressure cooker is less labor intensive than a stovetop method. It also reduces cleanup. The outcome is a creamy, sweet apple butter to spread on your favorite morning breads or pastries.
Provided by Buckwheat Queen
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes
Time 2h20m
Yield 40
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Place lemon juice into the insert of a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®) and pour in about 4 inches of water. Drop apples into the lemon water as you slice them to keep them from browning.
- Drain the apples. Add apple juice, brown sugar, white sugar, honey, cinnamon sticks, and ground cloves. Close and lock the lid. Select high pressure according to manufacturer's instructions; set timer for 8 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.
- Release pressure using the natural-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, 10 to 40 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid. Remove the cinnamon sticks.
- Use an immersion blender to puree the apple butter. Mix well with a spoon. Close and lock the lid. Select Slow Cooker Function according to manufacturer's instructions; set timer for 60 minutes.
- Release pressure using the natural-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, 10 to 40 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid. Test the consistency by putting a small amount on a plate and refrigerating for 10 minutes. The final consistency should be thick enough to spread with a knife. If it is too liquid for your preference, cook for 1 more hour.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 53.9 calories, Carbohydrate 14.2 g, Fat 0.1 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 0.1 g, Sodium 1.6 mg, Sugar 12.7 g
APPLE BUTTER
Looking for a classic homemade condiment? Enjoy this slow cooked apple butter made with apple and spices.
Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Condiment
Time 2h30m
Yield 64
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Mix all ingredients in 5- to 6-quart slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low heat setting 8 to 10 hours or until apples are very tender.
- Mash apples with potato masher or large fork.
- Cook uncovered on low heat setting 1 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until mixture is very thick. Cool about 2 hours.
- Spoon apple butter into container. Cover and store in refrigerator up to 3 weeks.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 30, Carbohydrate 9 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Fiber 1 g, Protein 0 g, SaturatedFat 0 g, ServingSize 1 Tablespoon, Sodium 0 mg
ALL-DAY APPLE BUTTER
This tasty apple butter is a real slow cooker, but well worth the wait. Depending on the sweetness of the apples used, the amount of sugar may be adjusted to taste.
Provided by Terri
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Canning and Preserving Recipes Fruit Butter Recipes
Time 11h30m
Yield 128
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Place the apples in a slow cooker. In a medium bowl, mix the sugar, cinnamon, cloves and salt. Pour the mixture over the apples in the slow cooker and mix well.
- Cover and cook on high 1 hour.
- Reduce heat to low and cook 9 to 11 hours, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is thickened and dark brown.
- Uncover and continue cooking on low 1 hour. Stir with a whisk, if desired, to increase smoothness.
- Spoon the mixture into sterile containers, cover and refrigerate or freeze.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 34.4 calories, Carbohydrate 9 g, Fiber 0.5 g, Protein 0.1 g, Sodium 4.8 mg, Sugar 8.3 g
AMAZING APPLE BUTTER
I decided I wanted to attempt to make apple butter for the first time, so I searched everywhere for a recipe. There were so many to choose from, that I was confused on which one to pick, so I decided to take bits and pieces from a few of the best ones and come up with my own version. The result is 'Amazing Apple Butter.'
Provided by YUMMYNUMMY
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Canning and Preserving Recipes Fruit Butter Recipes
Time 10h40m
Yield 48
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Combine apples and apple juice in a stockpot; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook at a simmer until apples are soft and mushy, 20 to 30 minutes.
- Spoon apples into a food mill and process into puree while discarding the cores and peels remaining in the mill. Transfer process apples to a slow cooker.
- Cook on High with the lid off until the moisture evaporates and the volume reduces by about half, overnight to 24 hours.
- Stir sugar, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice through the apple puree.
- Continue cooking on High until mixture mounds on a chilled plate without any water separating from the edges, another 2 to 6 hours.
- Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack the apple butter into the hot, sterilized jars, filling the jars to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a knife or a thin spatula around the insides of the jars after they have been filled to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids, and screw on rings.
- Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil and lower jars into the boiling water using a holder. Leave a 2-inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary to bring the water level to at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a rolling boil, cover the pot, and process 5 to 10 minutes.
- Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool. Once cool, press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all). Store in a cool, dark area.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 75.4 calories, Carbohydrate 19.7 g, Fat 0.2 g, Fiber 2.3 g, Protein 0.3 g, Sodium 1.7 mg, Sugar 16.2 g
APPLE BUTTER AIN'T B'S RECIPE
I have my own recipe that I have been making for years for my customers at my Bakery/Café, they love it!
Provided by Chef Aint Bs
Categories Apple
Time P3DT30m
Yield 9 8 ounce jars
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Wash your apples and quarter them, place in the stock pot.
- Add the remaining ingredients in the stock pot and cook at very low temperature until apples start to juice.
- Once there is plenty of liquid turn heat up to medium high. Cook until mixture starts to thicken.
- Take apples off the stove and cool to room temperature.
- Run apples through a food mill (you want to strain out all the seeds, pulp, skin etc).
- Poor apples back into a suitable size pot for the apple butter. Cook down until very thick. Sometimes I use a crock pot to finish off the apple butter to the very thick stage to keep from burning it.
- Once apple mixture has thicken, place in large container and refrigerate or this will make about 9 8-ounce canning jars.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 679, Fat 1, SaturatedFat 0.2, Sodium 50.9, Carbohydrate 176.5, Fiber 11.7, Sugar 151, Protein 1.3
Tips for Making Perfect Apple Butter
- Choose the right apples. Use a variety of apples for a complex flavor. Some good choices include Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Braeburn.
- Peel and core the apples. This will help the apple butter to cook evenly and prevent the skins from becoming tough.
- Cook the apples slowly. This will help to develop the flavor and prevent the apple butter from burning.
- Add spices. Common spices used in apple butter include cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. You can also add other spices to taste, such as ginger, cloves, or cardamom.
- Simmer until thickened. The apple butter is done when it has reached a thick, spreadable consistency.
- Can the apple butter. Canning is a great way to preserve apple butter for later use. You can also freeze the apple butter for up to a year.
Conclusion
Apple butter is a delicious and versatile condiment that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is a great way to use up extra apples, and it makes a great gift for friends and family. With a little time and effort, you can make your own delicious apple butter at home.Tips for Making Perfect Apple Butter
- Choose the right apples. Use a variety of apples for a complex flavor. Some good choices include Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Braeburn.
- Peel and core the apples. This will help the apple butter to cook evenly and prevent the skins from becoming tough.
- Cook the apples slowly. This will help to develop the flavor and prevent the apple butter from burning.
- Add spices. Common spices used in apple butter include cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. You can also add other spices to taste, such as ginger, cloves, or cardamom.
- Simmer until thickened. The apple butter is done when it has reached a thick, spreadable consistency.
- Can the apple butter. Canning is a great way to preserve apple butter for later use. You can also freeze the apple butter for up to a year.
Conclusion
Apple butter is a delicious and versatile condiment that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is a great way to use up extra apples, and it makes a great gift for friends and family. With a little time and effort, you can make your own delicious apple butter at home.
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