Apple Butter
APPLE BUTTER
It’s everyone’s favorite time of year coming up —Fall. Okay, maybe not everyone’s, but it’s certainly mine. Being from Louisiana, there’s not much to offer seasonally, because it’s always humid and muggy. We can count on it being cold for about 3 weeks.
Now that I lived in Ohio for the last 7 years, it’s safe to say it’s my favorite time of year by far, and the best place I’ve lived and enjoyed to this day. And I’ve lived on pretty much every corner of the United States.
When it comes to Fall recipes and staples for the table and fridge — one constant ingredient comes to mind. That is the apple.
What better way to kick off this upcoming season by starting with a delicious and cinnamon spiced apple butter.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
Heinen’s produce section provides amazing quality fruits and vegetables, and their apples are no exception. Whichever local apples are in stock at your store, grab the sweeter ones! I would not use Granny Smith. Save those for apple pies! This recipe features local Honeycrisp apples.
It’s a great table appetizer. You can pair it with so many things, including sliced apples and other fruits. Apple butter is also a great topping for charcuterie boards as a dipping bowl for finger foods. Crackers, crusty breads, cheese and other fruit, oh my!
Apple butter is also a total hit on warmed biscuits. It’s a great breakfast item as well. It can be used in baked goods, and even meals like pancakes!
Fun fact, it’s also a great sweet brine for pork! Have some thick pork chops or tenderloins marinating in your apple butter and you’ll get the juiciest results! Grilling the meat also adds an unreal flavor!
APPLE BUTTER RECIPE
Prep Time: 15 min | Cook Time: 12 hrs (slowcooker) | Serving Size: 3 pints
Apple Butter Ingredients
6 qt+ slow cooker
immersion blender recommended (or regular blender)
5 pounds chopped sweet apples (remove core but skins are left on!) (about 1” thick)
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons clove honey
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground clove
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp maple extract
Apple Butter Instructions
Slice apples into small pieces (about ¼") and dispose of cores (you do not need to peel the apples).
Place apples in the basin of large slow cooker and drizzle the honey over apples.
In a medium-sized bowl stir together sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and cloves until well-combined.
Pour sugar mixture over apple pieces and stir until well combined.
Place lid on crockpot and cook on low heat for 10 hours.
Once 10 hours has elapsed, use an immersion blender to puree apples until smooth and no chunks remain.
Add vanilla and maple extract to the apple butter.
Turn crockpot on to low heat and cook another 2 hours uncovered, stirring occasionally.
Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container, where it will keep about 2 weeks.
