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This apple butter develops a dark color and complex flavor when it is cooked in the oven.
Place the apples, vinegar, water, lemon juice and zest in a large oven-proof pot. Bring to a simmer and cook over medium-low heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Pour the cooked apples into a blender or food processor and blend until well pureed.
Return the pureed apples to the pot, measuring as you go. For every cup of blended apples that you have, add 1/2 cup brown sugar.* Add the spices to the pot. Cover the pot and put the whole thing in the oven. Cook for 2 to 3 hours at 300 degrees, stirring every half hour. When you stir the pot, taste for sugar and spices; you may want to add more depending on your preference.
Store in the refrigerator, or seal in canning jars to store for months (or years) in your pantry, or give away as Christmas gifts, etc.
*You might want to go easy on the sugar to begin; you can always add sugar as you go.
18 Comments
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mrspuma on 12.18.2010
Should the cloves be ground?
momx5 on 11.28.2009
Made this for Christmas Gifts but instead of peeling, coring and slicing the apples I quartered them whole and ran the mix through the food mill after cooking it as above(I do the same for my homemade apple sauce).
This has a very deep complex flavor different from most, like very much thanks for sharing, and I’m sure the recipients will also be Thankful.
MrsCJK on 11.17.2009
I tried making apple butter for the first time with this recipe and I probably wont try another one because it came out great! I only have it for fridge storage now, but plan to borrow my mom’s canning equipment (until I get my own, which I put on my Christmas list!) and make more for gifts and sharing over the holidays. Thanks for the recipe!
Magi on 11.15.2009
Okay, made my first batch today. I looked up processing times and read 5 minutes for pint & 10 minutes for quart. I made 8 pints & processed 7 of them. The 8th went in the frig for us to eat now. I processed them for 5 minutes, and they all pinged and sealed nicely. I’m a little worried because I just read 3 recipes that said process pints for 10 minutes.
I know it was against your recommendation, but I used Golden Delicious. It’s what I had. I purchased a bushel & a half of Golden Delicious and half a bushel of Gala several weeks ago. The farmer recommended the Golden Delicious for apple butter.
I doubled the apples, water, vinegar, & lemon, but only put in the sugar & spices for a single batch. My plan was to add as needed. It never needed any more. The flavor was fantastic. Thanks for the recipe!
Magi on 11.15.2009
I’m planning to make and can apple butter today. I’ll do some Googling, but just in case you read this today, how long do you process in the hot water bath when you can this? Thanks!