Apple Butter
Apple butter is basically apple sauce that's been cooked down until it's a dark, concentrated, spreadable jam. This recipe uses a slow cooker, which is the easiest way to do it. It takes all day, but it's almost entirely hands-off and your house will smell incredible.
Ingredients
- 5 lbs mixed apples like Honeycrisp, Gala, and Granny Smith
- 1 1/2 cups packed dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup apple cider
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt
Instructions
- Wash and quarter apples, leaving peels and cores intact.
- Place quartered apples in a 6-quart or larger slow cooker.
- Whisk together brown sugar, granulated sugar, apple cider, lemon juice, and all spices with salt.
- Pour sugar mixture over apples and stir to coat.
- Cover and cook on low for 10 hours until apples are completely soft.
- Puree mixture with an immersion blender until completely smooth.
- Remove lid and cook on high for 1-2 hours more, stirring every 30 minutes.
- Cook until thickened and a spoonful on a cold plate doesn't form a watery ring.
- Ladle hot apple butter into clean jars, leaving 1/2-inch headspace.
- Cool completely at room temperature before sealing.
Notes
Keeps in refrigerator for several weeks.
Peels and cores provide natural pectin for thickening.