Introduction
Apple butter is a highly concentrated form of apple sauce, produced by long, slow cooking of apples with cider or water to a point where the sugar in the apples caramelizes, turning the apple butter a deep brown. The concentration of sugar gives apple butter a much longer shelf life as a preserve than apple sauce. This delightful spread is rich in flavor, with notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove, and it’s perfect for spreading on toast, swirling into yogurt, or even using as a sweetener in baking.
Ingredients
- Apples: 6 pounds, a mix of sweet and tart varieties (like Fuji, Granny Smith, and Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and chopped
- Apple Cider: 2 cups (use apple cider vinegar for a tangier flavor)
- Sugar: 1 to 2 cups, depending on sweetness preference
- Cinnamon: 1 tablespoon
- Ground Cloves: 1/2 teaspoon
- Ground Nutmeg: 1/2 teaspoon
- Salt: A pinch to enhance flavors
Equipment
- Large pot or slow cooker
- Immersion blender or food processor
- Spatula
- Jars for storing