Easy Apple Butter Recipe: Sweet & Spiced Delight

Homemade Apple Butter

Photo byDebbie Miller

Ingredients

about 4 pounds apples (roughly 9 medium-sized apples), peeled and cored

1 cup apple cider (NOT apple cider vinegar)

3/4 cup loosely packed light brown sugar

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

juice of half a lemon (about 1 tablespoon)

Instructions

Place the apples, apple cider, brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and salt in a large pot, and cook over medium-low heat, uncovered, (stirring occasionally) until the apples have become very soft (about 1 hour).

Use a hand blender to puree the mixture (or ladle it into a regular blender in batches) until smooth.

Place the puree back into the pot and continue to cook, uncovered, (stirring occasionally) until thick, velvety, and deep mahogany brown (about 1 hour).

Stir in the lemon juice, transfer the mixture to jars, and keep refrigerated.*

*Apple butter can also be canned. Ladle into sterilized jars, wipe the rims clean, screw on fresh lids and submerge in boiling water for 10 minutes. Processed jars of apple butter will keep at room temperature for several month