APPLE BUTTER
A great answer to that eternal question - "What do I do with all these apples?" - apple butter is a sweetened, concentrated, lightly spiced spread that's smoother than jam and thicker than applesauce and fantastic on buttered toast, thinned with vinegar as a sauce for pork chops, or used to top breakfast treats like pancakes, waffles or biscuits. The apples here are intentionally left unpeeled and uncored to take advantage of the extra flavor in the peels and pectin-rich cores. (A pass through a food mill or sieve after cooking will pull them out.) As for the ideal apple butter apple - well, there is none. Use nearly any variety: This recipe is only improved by mixing and matching. Note, too, that this can be made on the stovetop or in the oven. The oven method may take longer, but it can be worthwhile if only to avoid the inevitable splattering of the stovetop method.
Provided by Alison Roman
Categories jams, jellies and preserves
Time 3h
Yield About 4 cups
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Combine apples, vinegar, allspice berries (if using), cinnamon sticks (if using), ginger (if using), star anise pod (if using) and 4 cups water in a large, heavy bottomed pot over high heat. Bring to a simmer and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are completely softened and the liquid has reduced by half, 30 to 40 minutes. (Some pieces of apple might float at first; they will sink and become submerged as they soften.) Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Leaving behind allspice berries, cinnamon sticks and star anise pod, pass the apples through a food mill. (Alternatively, working in batches, ladle apples into a strainer or colander, and using a ladle, wooden spoon or spatula, press apples to pass pulp through, leaving behind seeds and skin.)
- To finish on the stovetop: Place apple pulp in the same large, heavy-bottomed pot, add granulated sugar and light brown sugar and stir to dissolve. Cook on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture is thick, glossy and a deep golden brown (somewhere between honey and molasses), 2 to 2 1/2 hours. (Around the 1 1/2-hour mark, things will start to bubble rather violently. Stirring constantly will help, but expect, and be careful of, a few splatters.) To test the thickness, spoon a bit onto a plate: The mixture should set almost immediately with no spreading or wateriness. If it's not there yet, cook another 8 to 10 minutes and test again. When the desired consistency is reached, season with kosher salt.
- To finish in the oven: Heat oven to 300 degrees. Place apple pulp in a 9-inch by 13-inch (3-quart) baking dish, add granulated sugar and light brown sugar and stir to dissolve. Place in oven and let cook, stirring every 30 minutes or so, until mixture is thick, glossy and a deep, golden brown color (somewhere between honey and molasses), 3 to 3 1/2 hours. To test the thickness, spoon a bit onto a plate: The mixture should set almost immediately with no spreading or wateriness. If it's not there yet, cook another 20 to 30 minutes and test again. When the desired consistency is reached, season with kosher salt.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 311, UnsaturatedFat 0 grams, Carbohydrate 80 grams, Fat 0 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 1 gram, SaturatedFat 0 grams, Sodium 19 milligrams, Sugar 72 grams
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CHUKWURAH KENNETH
[email protected]I've been making this apple butter for years, and it's always a hit. It's the perfect way to use up all those fall apples, and it's so delicious. I love the way it smells while it's cooking, and the flavor is incredible. It's also a great way to make
Anozie Christopher
[email protected]I love this apple butter! It's so easy to make and it's absolutely delicious. I love the way the apples and spices come together to create a perfectly balanced flavor. It's the perfect addition to my fall breakfast routine.
AYUSH FF
[email protected]This apple butter is the best! It's so easy to make and it turns out perfect every time. I love the way it smells while it's cooking, and the flavor is incredible. It's the perfect addition to my fall baking.
Leilo Cole
[email protected]I've been making this apple butter for years, and it's always a hit. It's the perfect way to use up all those fall apples, and it's so delicious. I love the way it smells while it's cooking, and the flavor is incredible. It's also a great way to make
Joseph Barreiro
[email protected]This apple butter is a must-try! It's so easy to make and it's absolutely delicious. I love the way the apples and spices come together to create a perfectly balanced flavor. It's the perfect addition to my fall breakfast routine.
Sobha Chy
[email protected]I love this apple butter! It's so easy to make and it turns out perfect every time. I love the way it smells while it's cooking, and the flavor is incredible. It's the perfect addition to my fall baking.
abni ab
[email protected]This is the best apple butter I've ever tasted! It's so smooth and creamy, and the flavor is perfectly balanced. I love the way the apples and spices complement each other. I've already eaten half the jar, and I'm sure I'll finish it off in the next
Saboor khan
[email protected]I've been making this apple butter for years, and it never disappoints. It's the perfect way to use up all those fall apples, and it's so delicious. I love the way it smells while it's cooking, and the flavor is incredible. It's also a great way to m
Mhar Razzaq
[email protected]This apple butter is a fall classic in our house. We love to make it on a crisp autumn day, and the smell of the apples and cinnamon fills the whole house. The apple butter is delicious on toast, pancakes, or waffles, and it's also great as a dip for
Ihtisham Gaming
[email protected]I made this apple butter for the first time last week, and it was a huge hit with my family and friends. Everyone loved the rich, caramelized flavor. I've already made it twice since then, and I'm sure I'll be making it again and again.
Mayra Velasquez
[email protected]This is the best apple butter I've ever had! It's so smooth and creamy, and the flavor is out of this world. I love that it's not too sweet, and the apple flavor really comes through. I've already eaten half the jar, and I'm sure I'll finish it off i
Reinhold Shipulwa
[email protected]I've been looking for a good apple butter recipe for a while, and this one is definitely a keeper. The apple butter is thick and flavorful, and it has a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness. I love that it's made with fresh apples, and the cinna
Emon Razz
[email protected]This apple butter is a fall staple in our house. We love the way it smells while it's cooking, and the flavor is incredible. It's perfect for spreading on toast, English muffins, or pancakes. We also love to use it as a dip for apples or pears.
Irfandashti Irfandashti
[email protected]I love this apple butter! It's so flavorful and versatile. I've used it on toast, pancakes, waffles, and even ice cream. It's also great as a gift, and everyone I've given it to has loved it.
Nawab Ziddi
[email protected]This is the first time I've ever made apple butter, and it turned out perfectly! I followed the recipe exactly, and it was so easy to follow. The apple butter is delicious, and I can't wait to use it on toast, pancakes, and waffles.
Nimasha Rexmini
[email protected]I've been making apple butter for years, and this recipe is by far the best I've tried. The flavor is incredible, and it's so easy to make. I love that it uses fresh apples, and the cinnamon and nutmeg give it a perfect warm flavor. I'll definitely b
Angela Martin
[email protected]This apple butter is amazing! It's so easy to make and it tastes like it came straight from a farmer's market. I love that it's not too sweet, and the apple flavor really shines through. I've already made it twice and I'm sure I'll be making it again