Ingredients
Apples
- 6 apples (peeled, cored, chopped)
Sweeteners
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup white sugar
Spices & Flavoring
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp cloves
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Liquids
- ¼ cup water
Instructions
- Cook Apples: Add the peeled, cored, and chopped apples along with ¼ cup water to a pot. Cook over medium heat until the apples are very soft, about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Mash or Blend: Once soft, mash the cooked apples with a potato masher or blend them with an immersion blender until smooth, depending on your preferred texture.
- Add Sugars and Spices: Stir in the brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves until well combined.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to low and let the mixture simmer gently for 30 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning, until the apple butter thickens and deepens in color.
- Add Vanilla: Stir in the vanilla extract at the end of cooking to preserve its aroma and flavor.
- Cool and Store: Allow the apple butter to cool completely before transferring it to clean jars. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze for longer preservation.
Notes
- Use a mix of sweet and tart apples (like Fuji and Granny Smith) for best flavor complexity.
- Store the apple butter in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- Freeze apple butter in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
- Stir occasionally during simmering to avoid burning on the bottom of the pot.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Spread / Condiment
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
