Homemade Apple Butter Recipe with Fresh Picked Apples

This homemade apple butter is a delicious spread made from fresh picked apples, perfect for toast, biscuits, or as a filling for pastries. The slow-cooking process enhances the natural sweetness of the apples, resulting in a rich and flavorful condiment.

The recipe is simple and requires minimal ingredients, making it an excellent way to preserve the flavors of autumn. You can easily adjust the spices to suit your taste preferences.

The Allure of Homemade Apple Butter

Homemade apple butter captures the essence of autumn in every jar. The vibrant colors of fresh-picked apples, combined with the rich, warm hue of the apple butter, create a visual feast that is hard to resist. This delightful spread not only enhances your breakfast table but also serves as a reminder of the cozy, crisp days of fall.

Choosing the Right Apples

The foundation of a great apple butter lies in the apples you choose.

Opt for a mix of sweet and tart varieties to achieve a balanced flavor profile.

Popular choices include Fuji, Honeycrisp, and Granny Smith, each contributing its unique sweetness and acidity to the final product.

Freshly picked apples are ideal, as they offer the best flavor and texture.

Visiting a local orchard can be a fun way to gather your ingredients while enjoying the beautiful autumn scenery.

Preparing Your Ingredients

Preparation is key to making apple butter.

Start by peeling, coring, and chopping your apples into small pieces.

This step is crucial as it allows the apples to cook down evenly, ensuring a smooth and spreadable consistency.

Gather your spices and sugar, as these will enhance the natural sweetness of the apples.

Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves create a warm, inviting aroma that fills your kitchen as the mixture simmers.

The Cooking Process

Cooking apple butter is a slow and rewarding process.

Begin by combining the chopped apples with sugar and spices in a large pot.

As the mixture heats, the apples will release their juices, creating a fragrant blend that will tantalize your senses.

Allow the mixture to simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring frequently.

This slow cooking allows the flavors to meld beautifully while thickening the apple butter to perfection.

Blending for Smoothness

Once the apples are soft and the mixture has thickened, it’s time to blend.

Using an immersion blender or a traditional blender, puree the mixture until it reaches your desired consistency.

This step is essential for achieving that velvety texture that makes apple butter so delightful.

After blending, pour the hot apple butter into sterilized jars, leaving some headspace.

Sealing the jars properly ensures that your apple butter stays fresh for months to come.

Enjoying Your Homemade Apple Butter

Once your apple butter is ready, the possibilities are endless.

Spread it generously on warm slices of bread or biscuits for a comforting breakfast.

It also makes a fantastic filling for pastries or a sweet topping for pancakes and waffles.

Sharing jars of homemade apple butter with friends and family is a wonderful way to spread the joy of the season.

Its rich flavor and warm spices evoke memories of autumn gatherings, making it a cherished addition to any meal.

Easy Step-by-Step Apple Butter Recipe

This apple butter is made by cooking down fresh apples with sugar and spices until thick and spreadable. The process takes about 2-3 hours, and it yields approximately 4 cups of apple butter, perfect for sharing or storing.

Ingredients

• 8 cups peeled, cored, and chopped fresh apples (about 8-10 medium apples)
• 2 cups granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

1. Prepare the Apples: Peel, core, and chop the fresh apples into small pieces.
2. Combine Ingredients: In a large pot, combine the chopped apples, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt, and lemon juice.
3. Cook the Mixture: Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the apples release their juices and begin to soften (about 15-20 minutes).
4. Simmer: Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer uncovered for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. Cook until the apples are very soft and the mixture thickens.
5. Blend: Use an immersion blender to puree the mixture until smooth, or transfer it to a blender in batches. Blend until you reach your desired consistency.
6. Jar the Apple Butter: Pour the hot apple butter into sterilized jars, leaving about 1/4 inch of headspace. Seal the jars with lids.
7. Process (Optional): For long-term storage, process the jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. Allow the jars to cool completely before storing them.

Cook and Prep Times

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Nutrition Information

• Servings: 16 servings (1/4 cup each)
• Calories: 100kcal
• Fat: 0g
• Protein: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 26g