Description
This Easy Stovetop Apple Butter recipe is a delicious and comforting spread made from simmered and blended apples with aromatic spices. Perfectly smooth and creamy, it’s cooked slowly on the stovetop to develop rich flavors and a luscious texture, ideal for spreading on toast, muffins, or dolloping on desserts.
Ingredients
Scale
Apples
- 7-8 red apples (about 1 kg when cored)
Sweeteners and Liquids
- 100 g brown sugar
- 240 ml apple cider or apple juice (not apple cider vinegar)
Spices and Flavorings
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Prepare: Remove the cores from the apples and cut them into 1-2 inch cubes. Place the cubed apples into a medium saucepan along with brown sugar, apple cider or juice, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and sea salt.
- Cook: Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Let it cook for 1 hour, stirring occasionally with a rubber spatula to prevent sticking. During this time, the liquid will reduce and the apples will soften significantly. After 1 hour, remove the pan from heat and let it cool for 10 minutes.
- Blend: Transfer the slightly cooled apple mixture into a high-speed blender or food processor. Blitz the mixture thoroughly for several minutes until it becomes completely smooth and creamy, ensuring no chunks remain.
- Reduce: Pour the blended apple butter back into the saucepan and return to medium-low heat. Cover the saucepan with a lid to prevent splatters, and cook for another 30 minutes. Stir carefully every 5-10 minutes to avoid burning and to encourage thickening, taking care when removing the lid as the mixture will spit.
- Cool and Store: Remove from heat and allow the apple butter to cool to room temperature, approximately 30 minutes. Transfer the finished apple butter into clean airtight jars or sealed containers and refrigerate. It can be stored for several weeks when kept chilled.
Notes
- Use sweet, tart red apples such as Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp for the best flavor balance.
- Ensure to use apple cider or sweet apple juice; do not substitute with vinegar as it will alter the flavor.
- The cooking process develops natural sweetness and thickens the apple butter; be patient for best results.
- When blending, a high-speed blender or food processor works best to achieve a creamy texture.
- Store in sterilized jars to extend shelf life.
