Description
This Easy Stovetop Apple Butter recipe offers a flavorful, smooth, and creamy spread made from fresh red apples simmered with warm spices and sweetened with brown sugar. Perfect for spreading on toast or adding a sweet touch to desserts, this homemade apple butter is cooked entirely on the stovetop and blended to velvety perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Apple Butter Ingredients
- 7-8 red apples (about 1 kg when cored)
- 100 g brown sugar
- 240 ml apple cider or apple juice (not apple cider vinegar)
- 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. Add the cubed apples to a medium saucepan along with the brown sugar, apple cider or juice, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and sea salt.
- Cook: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook for 1 hour, stirring occasionally with a rubber spatula to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. The liquids will reduce as the apples soften and break down. After 1 hour, remove the pan from heat and let it cool slightly for 10 minutes.
- Blend: Transfer the mixture to a high-speed blender or food processor. Blitz for several minutes until the apple butter becomes completely smooth and creamy in texture.
- Reduce: Pour the blended apple mixture back into the saucepan and return to medium-low heat. Cover the saucepan with a lid to avoid splatters, as the mixture will spurt during cooking. Cook for 30 minutes, stirring carefully every 5 to 10 minutes to avoid burning. Use caution when removing the lid due to hot splatters.
- Cool and Store: Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the apple butter to cool to room temperature for about 30 minutes. Transfer the cooled apple butter into clean airtight jars or sealed containers and refrigerate. Store for up to two weeks for best freshness.
Notes
- Note 1: Weigh the apples after coring and peeling to get approximately 1 kg of apple fruit for best texture and flavor.
- Note 2: Use apple cider or apple juice for sweetness and flavor; avoid apple cider vinegar as it will alter the taste.
- Use caution when cooking apple butter to prevent splattering, especially when reducing the blended mixture.
- For thicker apple butter, you can extend the reduction step by additional 10-15 minutes.
