Description
This irresistible traditional apple butter recipe blends sweet Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp apples with warm spices, slow-cooked to a rich, smooth spread perfect for toast, baking, or as a flavorful addition to your dishes. Slow cooking enhances the natural sweetness and depth, resulting in a luscious, deeply caramelized apple butter that can be stored for weeks.
Ingredients
Scale
Apple Butter Ingredients
- 6 lbs apples (Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup apple cider (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Apples: Peel, core, and slice 6 pounds of apples, selecting varieties like Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp for optimal sweetness and texture.
- Combine Ingredients: Place the sliced apples in a large 6-quart slow cooker. Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt, and apple cider if using. Stir well to ensure the apples are evenly coated with the sugars and spices.
- Cook the Apple Butter: Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 10 to 12 hours. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and to check consistency. The apples will become soft and dark brown as they cook. If the mixture looks watery later in cooking, remove the lid for the last hour to help evaporate excess liquid.
- Blend and Thicken: Once the apples are softened, use an immersion blender directly in the slow cooker to puree the mixture until smooth. If a thicker apple butter is desired, continue cooking uncovered for an additional 1 to 2 hours to reduce and thicken the spread.
- Finish and Store: Stir in the tablespoon of vanilla extract to enhance the flavor. Allow the apple butter to cool, then transfer it into jars or airtight containers. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze for longer storage.
Notes
- You can adjust the sugar amount slightly depending on your preferred sweetness.
- Using an immersion blender directly in the slow cooker reduces cleanup.
- If fresh apple cider is not available, water can substitute but may slightly alter flavor.
- Apple butter freezes well; consider portioning before freezing for easy thawing.
- Stirring occasionally during cooking prevents burning on the edges.
