Our Apple Butter Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Combine the apples, apple cider, brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large ovenproof pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, partially cover and cook until the apples are soft, about 20 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice, cinnamon, vanilla and cloves. Puree the mixture in a blender in batches until smooth (or use an immersion blender).
• Return the mixture to the pot and bake, uncovered, stirring every 30 minutes, until thickened and deep amber, 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours (the timing will depend on the kind of apples you use). Remove from the oven and let cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate up to 5 days.
• Try it on: Pancakes, waffles, yogurt, oatmeal, grilled cheese, PB&J, biscuits, cornbread or pork chops

Steps:

• Blend apples in batches in a blender until no large chunks remain.
• Combine blended apples, white sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger in a slow cooker.
• Cook uncovered on High for 1 hour. Place cover on slow cooker and continue cooking, stirring about twice per hour, until smooth, 6 to 8 hours. Remove the cover and continue cooking and stirring until thick and spreadable, 2 to 4 hours.
• Spoon into jars leaving about an inch of space at the top; seal and freeze.

Steps:

• If you are using fresh apples, cook the apples with the apple juice concentrate and enough water to just cover the apples. Cook until the apples are tender. Puree the mixture in a blender and strain out all the seeds and skin. Stir in the spices.
• If you are using unsweetened applesauce, stir the apple concentrate and spices into the unsweetened applesauce.
• Preheat the oven to 375. Pour the apple mixture into a heavy baking pan and place it in the preheated oven. After the first hour of baking, stir the apple butter every 30 minutes, continuing for 5-6 hours, until the apple butter is done. It should be a rich, dark brown, and when a drop is placed on a cold plate, no water should separate out.
• To can the apple butter for long term storage, spoon it into hot, sterilized half pint jars. Seal the jars and process them in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.

Steps:

• Mix apple puree, sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, pumpkin pie spice and lemon juice in a large, heavy saucepan. Cook, uncovered, over medium heat and when it begins to boil, turn down heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally.
• Place a couple of small saucers in the refrigerator. As mixture gets thicker, stir more often so it does not scorch. Total cooking time can take 1 to 2 hours.
• Cook until a spoonful dropped onto a cold plate does not weep. Let the mixture sit on plate about 5 minutes to check the consistency.
• Meanwhile, wash 6 half-pint jars. Keep hot until needed. Prepare lids as manufacturer directs.
• Ladle the hot apple butter into 1 hot jar at a time, leaving 1/4 inch head space.
• Wipe jar rim with a clean, damp cloth. Attach lid.
• Fill and close remaining jars.
• Process in a boiling water canner for 10 minutes.
• Note: To make the puree, wash, peel, core and quarter apples. Place in saucepan with just enough water to cover the bottom of the pan. Cover and cook on medium heat until apples are soft. Put cooked apples through a sieve or food mill.