Homemade Apple Butter
Apple butter has always been a special treat for us. When I was a kid it was my dad’s favorite. We used to buy apple butter and give it to him for birthdays, Father’s Day and even Christmas.
We obviously didn’t get very creative but he always seemed to be so surprised! Nowadays, I make homemade apple butter and Dad still gets it from time to time as a gift….hope I didn’t spoil the next birthday surprise Dad!
Making this fruit butter is a lot like making apple sauce except you add a bit more sugar and cinnamon and cloves. I like to leave mine just ever so chunky, but you could cook it longer for a very smooth consistency.
The toughest part of making this butter is not letting it burn. It gets very thick. You do need to keep stirring it regularly. I also add a bit of water at the beginning and this helps put a barrier between the apples and the heat.
Another delicious way to use this apple butter is in either these Oat Bars.
Apple butter is perfect on toast.
- 5 pounds apples
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon cloves
- Peel and core apples.
- Place into a heavy stock pot with about 1/4 cup of water in the base of pot.
- Heat of medium low heat until apples start to soften.
- Stir apples to prevent scorching.
- When apples are soft but still have large chunks, puree mixture with an immersion blender.
- Add sugar, cinnamon, and cloves.
- Continue cooking over low heat until desired thickness is achieved.
- Ladle into canning jars and process in hot water bath or freeze in freezer safe containers.
You might also like to try Plum Jam
Plum Jam
Whole Wheat White Bread
12 Comments
Fred G
November 5, 2018 at 5:48 amApple butter is one of my favorites
Katie Crenshaw
October 4, 2016 at 4:55 pmI love Apple Butter in the Fall! I have never made it. You make it sound simple to make. I will give it a try. Thank you for the recipe!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
October 22, 2015 at 7:09 amOh, I love apple butter! It is sooo good on everything, and equally delicious just devoured plain by the spoonful! Yours looks scrumptious! I LOVE that you kept it relatively chunky! Perfection, my dear! Cheers to a beautiful day!
Kathy
October 23, 2015 at 5:01 amI tend to lick the spoon whenever I scoop some out!
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October 22, 2015 at 5:47 amKathy it was sort of same with us too growing up! We used to give our dad neck ties and handkerchiefs, I know how unique 😛 but he would always have a big smile on his face!!
Now I love apple butter but have never made it from scratch so that needs to change!
Kathy
October 23, 2015 at 5:02 amYou definitely need to give it a try!
David @ Spiced
October 22, 2015 at 5:03 amThis sounds incredible, Kathy! I remember when I was a much-younger version of myself I thought that apple butter was literally that. Apple-flavored butter. I was so confused when I opened the jar! I love using apple butter in baked goods now…so good!!
Kathy
October 22, 2015 at 5:19 amMakes sense….I always wonder about how things got named.
Laura ~ Raise Your Garden
October 21, 2015 at 5:29 pmKathy ~ I honestly think I can smell the apple butter wafting out of your kitchen. And I’m ready to make my own! This is super easy and unlike making dinner, sounds fun to do! My 3 year old and I have a project for tomorrow =) And giving this to dad as a bonus spin gift sounds like a great idea!
Kathy
October 21, 2015 at 5:58 pmAh…..Dad will love it! Enjoy!
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen
October 21, 2015 at 8:17 amApple butter looks delicious, Kathy. Love that you made it chunky. Perfect spread.
Kathy
October 21, 2015 at 5:58 pmIt is super delicious!