Indulge in the delightful flavors of fall with Chef John's Apple Butter, a delectable spread that captures the essence of the season. This homemade apple butter is a symphony of sweet, tart, and aromatic notes, made with fresh apples, warm spices, and a touch of citrus. Spread it on your morning toast, dollop it over pancakes or waffles, or use it as a glaze for roasted meats. With its rich amber hue and velvety texture, Chef John's Apple Butter is a versatile condiment that will elevate any dish.
In this article, we've compiled a collection of apple butter recipes that showcase the diverse culinary applications of this versatile spread. From classic apple butter to unique savory variations, these recipes offer a range of flavors and textures to suit every palate. Discover the perfect apple butter recipe for your next breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and elevate your meals with the deliciousness of homemade apple butter.
CHEF JOHN'S APPLE FRITTERS
I didn't think I liked apple fritters, but turns out I just don't like chunks of almost raw apple, surrounded by a doughnut. Maybe I've just been going to the wrong shops, but I've never enjoyed the texture, and always wanted to try them with cooked apples.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Bread Quick Bread Recipes
Time 35m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Melt butter over medium-high heat and cook until it turns golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Add apples and cook over medium-high heat until apples just begin to soften around the edges, 3 to 4 minutes. Sprinkle in 1 tablespoon sugar and continue cooking another 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Drain in a strainer; let cool to room temperature.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg together in a mixing bowl until well combined.
- Whisk egg, 1/4 cup sugar, and melted butter together in a separate mixing bowl. Add cooled apple pieces and sparkling apple cider; add the flour mixture. Stir just until flour is incorporated.
- Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spoon about 2 tablespoons batter per fritter, into hot oil, slightly flattening them out. Cook in batches. Fry on one side until small bubbles appear on the surface, about 2 minutes. Carefully flip fritters over and fry the other side until richly browned, about 2 more minutes.
- Transfer with a slotted spoon to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain grease. Cool slightly before glazing.
- Whisk powdered sugar and cinnamon in a mixing bowl. Add enough apple cider, 1 teaspoon at a time, to form a smooth glaze that is just runny enough to drizzle over fritters.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 247.8 calories, Carbohydrate 39.6 g, Cholesterol 30.9 mg, Fat 9.2 g, Fiber 1.6 g, Protein 3 g, SaturatedFat 2.8 g, Sodium 243.4 mg, Sugar 22.9 g
CHEF JOHN'S EASY APPLE PIE
Not your traditional apple pie, this filling is caramelized apples held together with a very glossy, just-thick-enough apple syrup.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Desserts Pies Apple Pie Recipes
Time 2h20m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
- Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat. Stir in white sugar, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and water. Bring the syrup to a boil, stirring constantly to dissolve sugar, then remove from heat.
- Unroll pie crusts, press one into a 9-inch pie dish, and place the apples into the crust. Unroll the second crust on a work surface, and cut into about 8 1-inch wide strips. Criss-cross the strips over the apples, or weave into a lattice crust. Crimp the bottom crust over the lattice strips with your fingers. Spoon caramel sauce over pie, covering lattice portion of top crust; let remaining sauce drizzle through the crust.
- Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), and bake until the crust is golden brown, the caramel on the top crust is set, and the apple filling is bubbling, 35 to 40 more minutes. Allow to cool completely before slicing.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 454.3 calories, Carbohydrate 56.6 g, Cholesterol 22.9 mg, Fat 25 g, Fiber 4.4 g, Protein 3.4 g, SaturatedFat 9.5 g, Sodium 259.4 mg, Sugar 30.7 g
CHEF JOHN'S CARAMEL APPLE PIE
To me, this is the purest and most intensely flavored apple pie recipe there is. The interesting thing about this recipe is the way the caramel sauce is poured over the apples and the lattice crust. You know how with a traditional apple pie some of the apple juices will caramelize as it bakes and bubble out of the pie and bake into and onto the flaky crust? That's how this whole pie is.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Desserts Pies Apple Pie Recipes
Time 1h40m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
- Combine butter, white sugar, brown sugar, water, cinnamon, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, remove from heat and set aside.
- Roll out half the pastry to fit a 9-inch pie plate. Place bottom crust in pie plate; pour in apple slices.
- Roll out top crust into a 10-inch circle. Cut into 8 (1-inch) wide strips with a sharp paring knife or pastry wheel. Weave the pastry strips, one at a time, into a lattice pattern. Fold the ends of the lattice strips under the edge of the bottom crust and crimp to seal.
- Pour butter-sugar mixture over top of pie, coating the lattice, and allowing any remaining sauce to drizzle through the crust.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), and bake until the crust is golden brown, the caramel on the top crust is set, and the apple filling is bubbling, 35 to 40 more minutes. Allow to cool completely before slicing.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 335.7 calories, Carbohydrate 48.2 g, Cholesterol 22.9 mg, Fat 16.3 g, Fiber 2.9 g, Protein 1.7 g, SaturatedFat 7.4 g, Sodium 142.4 mg, Sugar 34.8 g
BILL'S APPLE BUTTER
Since retiring, I have more time to tend to our 75 apple trees and to experiment in the kitchen. I came up with this old-fashioned apple butter after some trial and error. The red-hot candies make it unique.-Bill Elliott, Urbana, Missouri
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 3h35m
Yield 8 pints.
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a stockpot, combine apples and vinegar; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 30-40 minutes or until tender. Remove from heat; cool slightly. Process in batches in a food processor until blended. Return all to pan., Add brown sugar, sugar, cinnamon, salt, extract, cloves and allspice. Dissolve red-hots in boiling water; stir into apple mixture., Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 2 hours or until mixture reaches a thick, spreadable consistency. , Remove from heat. Carefully ladle hot mixture into eight hot sterilized 1-pint jars, leaving 1/4-in. headspace. Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace, if necessary, by adding hot mixture. Wipe rims. Center lids on jars; screw on bands until fingertip tight. , Place jars into canner with simmering water, ensuring that they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil; process for 5 minutes. Remove jars and cool.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 92 calories, Fat 0 fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 22mg sodium, Carbohydrate 24g carbohydrate (22g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 0 protein.
Tips:
- Choosing the Right Apples: For the best apple butter, choose a variety of apples that are tart and flavorful, such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn. A mix of sweet and tart apples can also work well.
- Peeling and Coring: Peeling and coring the apples is not necessary, but it will result in a smoother apple butter. If you choose to peel and core the apples, be sure to remove the seeds as well.
- Cooking the Apples: The apples can be cooked in a slow cooker, on the stovetop, or in the oven. Cooking the apples until they are very soft will ensure a smooth and flavorful apple butter.
- Adding Spices: Feel free to experiment with different spices to flavor your apple butter. Common spices used in apple butter include cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice. You can also add a bit of vanilla extract or lemon juice for a brighter flavor.
- Storing Apple Butter: Apple butter can be stored in sterilized jars in a cool, dark place for up to a year. You can also freeze apple butter for up to 6 months.
Conclusion:
Chef John's Apple Butter recipe is a delicious and versatile spread that can be enjoyed on toast, biscuits, pancakes, or waffles. It can also be used as an ingredient in other recipes, such as cakes, pies, and cookies. With its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, this recipe is a great choice for both experienced and beginner cooks alike. So, next time you're looking for a homemade treat, give Chef John's Apple Butter a try!
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