From Bon Appétit · Rick Martinez · · 50s
Homemade Apple Butter Recipe
Make dark, velvety apple butter with cinnamon and cloves in 3.5 hours.
In brief
Make dark, velvety apple butter with cinnamon and cloves in 3.5 hours. Homemade apple butter uses unpeeled apples and cinnamon to create a thick, dark spreadable sauce. Originally reported by Bon Appétit.
Quick answers
- What is apple butter?
- Apple butter is cooked apples puréeed until dark and velvety.
- What is the key takeaway from Homemade Apple Butter Recipe?
- Homemade apple butter uses unpeeled apples and cinnamon to create a thick, dark spreadable sauce.
What is apple butter?
Apple butter is cooked apples puréeed until dark and velvety.
“It’s that spreadable texture that gives apple butter its name, no actual butter involved.”
Best apples for apple butter
Use sweet and tart apples like Granny Smith and Fuji.
“For the best apple butter, use a mix of sweet and tart apples, such as Granny Smith, Fuji, McIntosh, Honeycrisp, or Golden Delicious.”
No need to peel or core apples
Apple skins add flavor and cores supply pectin for thickening.
“There’s no need to peel or core them either: The skins contribute flavor and the cores supply pectin, which helps the spread thicken.”
Cook apples until soft
Cook apples until soft, then purée with spices.
“Once the fruit is soft, a food mill quickly separates the purée from the peels, seeds, and whole spices.”
Bake to concentrate
Bake apple mixture until thick and dark amber.
“Transfer apple mixture to a 13x9" baking pan and bake, stirring every 30 minutes, until reduced by half and very thick and dark amber.”
Store for later
Store apple butter up to 3 months in airtight container.
“Apple butter can be made 1 month ahead; transfer to an airtight container and chill, or freeze up to 3 months.”
The main idea
Homemade apple butter uses unpeeled apples and cinnamon to create a thick, dark spreadable sauce.
