I don’t know about you but Fall is my favourite season. Not only is it time to bring out all your comfy sweaters and scarfs, it also brings pumpkin spice everything and the apple harvest. The most delicious thing to make with apples is of course apple pie (and nobody made a better one then my Mimi) but second has got to be apple butter.
What is the difference between applesauce and apple butter you ask?
Both apple butter and apple sauce are slow cooked apples and spices, but apple butter is cooked longer than applesauce which creates a thick, smooth, intense apple flavored spread.
I thought I would share my Apple Butter Recipe with you so you can try it yourself! I try to get my ingredients together at night and start the butter early the next morning as it takes some time to simmer. This recipe makes about 5, 8oz jars. There is a printable recipe card below for those that are old school.
INGREDIENTS
- 6 pounds apples
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
INSTRUCTIONS
1 – Peel, core, slice apples and place them in a slow cooker.
2 – In a medium bowl, combine sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg cloves and salt. Pour the mixture over the apples and mix well.
3 – Cook in slow cooker on low for about 10 hours, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is thickened and dark brown.
4 – Uncover, stir in vanilla and continue cooking uncovered on low for about 2 hours.
5 – Use an immersion blender to puree the apple butter until smooth.
6 – Spoon the mixture into sterile containers, cover and refrigerate for up to two weeks or freeze.
7 – Serve on breads, muffins, scones, ice cream, brie or just eat it with a spoon.
My favourite thing to put it on is tea biscuits but there are so many things you can do with it. You can put it in muffins & biscuits or warm it slightly in the microwave and use it on ice cream or pancakes.
(You can right click on the below recipe card to print.)
