Description
Silky smooth Homemade Apple Butter brings orchard-fresh memories to life with minimal ingredients and maximum flavor. Warm spices and caramelized apples create a spreadable delight you’ll want to slather on everything from toast to pancakes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 6 pounds (2.7 kilograms) apples (peeled, cored, and chopped)
Sweeteners:
- 2 cups (400 grams) sugar
Spices and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Select ripe, firm apples and wash thoroughly, removing any blemishes or stems.
- Chop apples into uniform chunks, leaving the peels on for added texture and nutritional value.
- Transfer apple pieces to a slow cooker, ensuring they are evenly distributed across the base.
- Cover and set the slow cooker to low heat, allowing apples to gently break down and release their natural juices over 4-5 hours.
- Periodically stir the softening apples to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Use an immersion blender or food processor to transform the cooked apples into a smooth, consistent puree.
- Incorporate granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, fragrant cloves, warm nutmeg, and a pinch of salt into the apple mixture.
- Continue cooking on low heat for an additional 8-9 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching and develop deep, rich flavors.
- The apple butter will gradually thicken and darken, concentrating its sweet and spicy essence.
- In the final moments of cooking, fold in pure vanilla extract to enhance the complex flavor profile.
- Remove from heat and allow the apple butter to cool completely at room temperature.
- Transfer the luxurious spread into clean, sterilized glass jars for storage or immediate enjoyment.
Notes
- Choose tart, firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best flavor and texture when making apple butter.
- Adjust spice levels by reducing or increasing cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg to suit personal taste preferences.
- Reduce sugar content for a less sweet version by using half the recommended amount or substituting with natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup.
- For a vegan-friendly option, ensure all ingredients are plant-based and skip any potential non-vegan additives.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 hours
- Category: Snacks, Breakfast, Desserts
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 116
- Sugar: 19 g
- Sodium: 3 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg