Description
Slow-cooked spiced apple butter is rich, smooth, and deeply flavored with warm spices and vanilla. This cozy, caramelized spread is perfect for toast, pancakes, or stirring into oatmeal and yogurt.
Ingredients
6 pounds apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
1 cup apple cider or apple juice
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Peel, core, and slice the apples into even pieces.
- Add apples and apple cider or juice to a large pot or slow cooker. Cook until apples are very soft and easy to mash.
- Puree the cooked apples using an immersion blender, food processor, or blender until completely smooth.
- Stir in brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt, and vanilla extract.
- Continue cooking on low heat, stirring often, until the mixture becomes thick, dark, glossy, and caramelized (about 1 1/2 to 3 hours on stovetop or several hours in a slow cooker).
- Check for doneness: the apple butter should hold its shape on a spoon and spread thickly without being runny.
- Spoon into clean jars, let cool completely, then refrigerate. Chill for at least 1 day before serving for best flavor.
Notes
Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for deeper flavor.
Substitute part of the sugar with maple syrup for a richer taste.
Add a pinch of allspice or ginger for extra warmth.
Apple cider provides a brighter flavor than apple juice.
Store in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Freeze in freezer-safe containers for longer storage; thaw in the refrigerator.
Serve cold, at room temperature, or gently warmed.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Slow Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 45 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 20 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
