Description
It’s fun to bring home a large wooden crate filled to the rim with delicious ripe apples. I use them to make super quick apple pie filling, scrumptious apple strudel, and fabulous homemade apple butter.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 medium apples, peeled cored and sliced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 cup raw unfiltered apple juice
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light-brown sugar
- 1 + 1/2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
OPTIONAL TWIST – SALTED CARAMEL APPLE BUTTER
3 tablespoons salted caramel sauce (homemade or from a jar) for every 1/2 cup of apple butter
Instructions
- Select a heavy-duty, medium-large pan with a lid.
- Add the apple slices to the pan and sprinkle the apples with lemon juice. With a spatula or wooden spoon, toss the apples to distribute the lemon juice. Add the unfiltered apple juice.
- Over medium/high heat, bring the apples and liquid to a light boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring frequently. Add in the granulated sugar, light-brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and salt. Stir until fully incorporated. Use a potato masher to break up the apples and mash the mixture.
- Cover the pan with a lid and lower the heat to medium/low. Allow the apple butter to simmer for 30-35 minutes until the consistency is soft and tender. During this time, frequently remove the lid with a pot holder and stir the mixture so it doesn’t burn or stick to the bottom of the pan.
- Once the apple butter is done, remove the pan from the burner, stir the mixture so heat can escape, and allow it to begin cooling. Transfer the apple butter to a glass jar. Once it’s fully cooled it’s ready to enjoy! Refrigerate unused apple butter for two weeks in a sealed jar or container.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Tea Time, Brunch, Lunch, Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American