Our Apple Butter Recipes

Steps:

• Combine Honeycrisp apples, Granny Smith apples, and apple cider in a large stainless steel or enamel-coated saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer until mixture reduces by about half, about 20 minutes.
• Stir sugar and lemon juice into the apple mixture; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and continue cooking at a simmer until the mixture is very thick, about 25 minutes.
• Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack apple butter into the hot, sterilized jars, filling the jars to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a knife or a thin spatula around the insides of the jars after they have been filled to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids and screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil and lower jars into the boiling water using a holder. Leave a 2-inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary to bring the water level to at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a rolling boil, cover the pot, and process for 10 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool. Once cool, press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all). Store in a cool, dark area.

Steps:

• Blend apples in batches in a blender until no large chunks remain.
• Combine blended apples, white sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger in a slow cooker.
• Cook uncovered on High for 1 hour. Place cover on slow cooker and continue cooking, stirring about twice per hour, until smooth, 6 to 8 hours. Remove the cover and continue cooking and stirring until thick and spreadable, 2 to 4 hours.
• Spoon into jars leaving about an inch of space at the top; seal and freeze.

Steps:

• If you are using fresh apples, cook the apples with the apple juice concentrate and enough water to just cover the apples. Cook until the apples are tender. Puree the mixture in a blender and strain out all the seeds and skin. Stir in the spices.
• If you are using unsweetened applesauce, stir the apple concentrate and spices into the unsweetened applesauce.
• Preheat the oven to 375. Pour the apple mixture into a heavy baking pan and place it in the preheated oven. After the first hour of baking, stir the apple butter every 30 minutes, continuing for 5-6 hours, until the apple butter is done. It should be a rich, dark brown, and when a drop is placed on a cold plate, no water should separate out.
• To can the apple butter for long term storage, spoon it into hot, sterilized half pint jars. Seal the jars and process them in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.