Simple Apple Butter Food

HOMEMADE APPLE BUTTER

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

APPLE BUTTER

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients in 5- to 6-quart slow cooker.
• Cover and cook on low heat setting 8 to 10 hours or until apples are very tender.
• Mash apples with potato masher or large fork.
• Cook uncovered on low heat setting 1 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until mixture is very thick. Cool about 2 hours.
• Spoon apple butter into container. Cover and store in refrigerator up to 3 weeks.

SIMPLE APPLE BUTTER

Steps:

• Combine ingredients in a heavy skillet. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until it will not run together when a spoon is drawn through. Please note, use a skillet, not a pot, you need the larger surface area to help with the evaporation and reduction process. Also be sure to stir constantly because it will scorch if you don't.
• I spoon it into clean, dry freezer jam jars, leaving headspace and then freeze.
• Thaw in fridge to use.
• This can be easily doubled.

APPLE BUTTER (SUPER EASY)

Steps:

• Core and chop apples into medium size pieces. No need to chop into little pieces. Make sure to leave the peels on!
• Heat the apples and apple cider in a large pot over medium/high heat to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. The mixture will get really mushy.
• Puree apple mixture right in pot with electric soup mixer. Or remove mixture from pot and blend or run through a mill. You want the mixture to be completely soft and smooth - no lumps. Return apple mixture to pot.
• In separate bowl, combine sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and pectin and stir together.
• Add sugar/spice/pectin mixture into apple mixture with lemon juice and stir.
• Cook for another 30 minutes.
• Remove from heat and fill jars to 1/4" of top. Recipe makes approximately 11 half-pint 8 oz. jars.
• Wipe rims clean and screw on 2-piece lids.
• Submerge sealed jars into hot water at 200 degrees (or boiling) for 10 minutes. You will hear a "pop" sound once jars are removed from water - that is when the lids are sealed. Let cool on your kitchen counter.

APPLE BUTTER RECIPE

Steps:

• Combine Honeycrisp apples, Granny Smith apples, and apple cider in a large stainless steel or enamel-coated saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer until mixture reduces by about half, about 20 minutes.
• Stir sugar and lemon juice into the apple mixture; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and continue cooking at a simmer until the mixture is very thick, about 25 minutes.
• Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack apple butter into the hot, sterilized jars, filling the jars to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a knife or a thin spatula around the insides of the jars after they have been filled to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids and screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil and lower jars into the boiling water using a holder. Leave a 2-inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary to bring the water level to at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a rolling boil, cover the pot, and process for 10 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool. Once cool, press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all). Store in a cool, dark area.

APPLE BUTTER

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven over medium heat, melt butter and add apples. Cook apples until slightly softened, about 5 minutes. Add cider, bring to a boil, and reduce heat to a simmer. Let simmer, partially covered and stirring occasionally, until soft, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Mash softened apples with a potato masher. Remove from heat and add lemon juice, lemon zest, and cinnamon. Using an immersion blender, puree mixture until smooth.
• Pour apple mixture evenly into a baking dish. Transfer to oven and bake, stirring occasionally, until thickened and reduced, about 3 to 3 1/2 hours. Let cool before serving. Apple butter may be kept, refrigerated in an airtight container, up to 5 days.