Description
This homemade apple butter recipe offers a rich, spiced spread made from slow-cooked apples, apple cider, and warm spices. Perfect for spreading on toast, adding to oatmeal, or using as a flavorful ingredient in baking, this apple butter develops a deep mahogany color and smooth texture through gentle simmering and blending.
Ingredients
Scale
Apple Butter Ingredients
- 4 pounds apples (about 9 medium-sized), peeled and cored
- 1 cup apple cider (not vinegar)
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- Juice of half a lemon (about 1 tablespoon)
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large pot, combine the peeled and cored apples with apple cider, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and kosher salt. Stir well to evenly distribute the spices and sugar.
- Initial Cooking: Cook the mixture over medium-low heat uncovered for about 1 hour. This will allow the apples to soften until they are very tender, breaking down naturally and melding with the spices.
- Puree the Mixture: Use a hand blender to puree the softened apples until smooth. If you don’t have a hand blender, transfer the mixture in batches to a regular blender and puree until creamy.
- Continue Cooking: Return the pureed apple mixture to the pot and cook uncovered for an additional hour. During this time, the apple butter will thicken and develop a deep mahogany color, intensifying its flavor.
- Add Lemon Juice and Store: Stir in the juice of half a lemon to brighten the flavor and preserve the butter. Transfer the finished apple butter to clean jars and store as desired.
Notes
- Use sweet and tart apples for a balanced flavor – varieties like Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Gala work well.
- Apple cider adds natural sweetness and depth; avoid cider vinegar as it changes the flavor profile.
- Cook uncovered to allow moisture to evaporate and the mixture to thicken properly.
- Store apple butter in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or freeze for longer storage.
