Best 4 Kentucky Apple Butter Recipes

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Kentucky apple butter, a traditional Southern delicacy, is a rich, flavorful spread made from slowly simmering apples with spices and apple cider or apple juice until it reaches a thick, spreadable consistency. With its origins in the Appalachian Mountains, this autumn treat is a staple in many Kentucky kitchens and a beloved addition to breakfast tables, lunch boxes, and holiday gatherings. Whether you prefer a smooth, velvety texture or a chunky, rustic spread, there are countless variations of this classic recipe, each with its own unique taste and charm. Discover the art of creating mouthwatering Kentucky apple butter with our guide to the best recipes, techniques, and tips, and bring a taste of the Bluegrass State to your own kitchen.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

BLUE-RIBBON BUTTER CAKE



Blue-Ribbon Butter Cake image

I found this buttercake recipe in an old cookbook I bought at a garage sale and couldn't wait to try it. I knew it had been someone's favorite because of the well-worn page. -Joan Gertz, Palmetto, Florida

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h15m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
BUTTER SAUCE:
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, cubed
1/4 cup water
1-1/2 teaspoons almond extract
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition., Pour into a greased and floured 10-in. tube pan. Bake at 350° until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 55-70 minutes. Cool 10 minutes. Run a knife around edges and center tube of pan. Invert cake onto a wire rack over waxed paper. , For sauce, combine the sugar, butter and water in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat just until butter is melted and sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat; stir in extracts., Poke holes in the top of the warm cake; spoon 1/4 cup sauce over cake. Let stand until sauce is absorbed. Repeat twice. Poke holes into sides of cake; brush remaining sauce over sides. Cool completely.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 410 calories, Fat 19g fat (11g saturated fat), Cholesterol 100mg cholesterol, Sodium 344mg sodium, Carbohydrate 56g carbohydrate (38g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 5g protein.

KENTUCKY APPLE BUTTER



Kentucky Apple Butter image

I bake and cook them in the oven for few hours or till the apple butter is reddish and thick.

Provided by ELEANORAFA

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Canning and Preserving Recipes     Fruit Butter Recipes

Time 2h55m

Yield 45

Number Of Ingredients 8

5 pounds McIntosh apples, chopped
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
¼ cup butter
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3 (1 pint) canning jars with lids and rings, or as needed

Steps:

  • Place apples in a large pot and cover with water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer, stirring occasionally, until apples are softened, 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
  • Press apples through a food mill to separate seeds, cores, and skin from apple pulp and transfer pulp to a bowl. Stir white sugar, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg into apples. Pour apple mixture into a 9x13-inch baking pan.
  • Bake in the preheated oven, stirring and scraping sides every 20 to 30 minutes, until apple butter is red and thickened, 2 to 4 hours.
  • 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 30 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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 65.6 calories, Carbohydrate 14.8 g, Cholesterol 2.7 mg, Fat 1.1 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 0.2 g, SaturatedFat 0.7 g, Sodium 8.7 mg, Sugar 12.8 g

APPLE BUTTER



Apple Butter image

Provided by Muriel Jacobs

Categories     dips and spreads, side dish

Time 25m

Yield Three pints

Number Of Ingredients 4

4 quarts sweet cider
2 1/2 quarts tart apples, quartered
2 cups sugar
Cinnamon, cloves, ginger

Steps:

  • Boil the cider until it is reduced to two quarts. Add peeled, quartered apples and cook until very tender. Put the mixture through a colander and add sugar and spices as desired. Cook until thick, stirring to prevent burning. Pour into clean, sterilized jars and seal.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 405, UnsaturatedFat 0 grams, Carbohydrate 101 grams, Fat 1 gram, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 1 gram, SaturatedFat 0 grams, Sodium 18 milligrams, Sugar 89 grams

KENTUCKY APPLE BUTTER



Kentucky Apple Butter image

I bake and cook them in the oven for few hours or till the apple butter is reddish and thick.

Provided by ELEANORAFA

Categories     Fruit Butters

Time 2h55m

Yield 45

Number Of Ingredients 8

5 pounds McIntosh apples, chopped
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
¼ cup butter
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3 (1 pint) canning jars with lids and rings, or as needed

Steps:

  • Place apples in a large pot and cover with water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer, stirring occasionally, until apples are softened, 5 to 10 minutes.n
  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).n
  • Press apples through a food mill to separate seeds, cores, and skin from apple pulp and transfer pulp to a bowl. Stir white sugar, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg into apples. Pour apple mixture into a 9x13-inch baking pan.n
  • Bake in the preheated oven, stirring and scraping sides every 20 to 30 minutes, until apple butter is red and thickened, 2 to 4 hours.n
  • 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.n
  • 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 30 minutes.n
  • 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.n

Nutrition Facts : Calories 65.6 calories, Carbohydrate 14.8 g, Cholesterol 2.7 mg, Fat 1.1 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 0.2 g, SaturatedFat 0.7 g, Sodium 8.7 mg, Sugar 12.8 g

Tips:

  • Choose the right apples: For apple butter, use a mix of tart and sweet apples. This will give the butter a balanced flavor.
  • Peel and core the apples: This is an essential step to remove the skin and seeds from the apples. You can use a vegetable peeler and an apple corer to make this task easier.
  • Cook the apples slowly: This will allow the apples to break down and release their natural pectin. This is what gives apple butter its thick, spreadable consistency.
  • Add spices and seasonings: To enhance the flavor of the apple butter, add spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. You can also add a bit of brown sugar or maple syrup for sweetness.
  • Canning the apple butter: If you want to store the apple butter for a long time, you can can it. This involves sealing the apple butter in jars and processing them in a boiling water bath.

Conclusion:

Apple butter is a delicious and versatile condiment that can be used in a variety of ways. It can be spread on toast, crackers, or pancakes. It can also be used as a filling for pies, cakes, and cookies. With its sweet and slightly tart flavor, apple butter is a surefire hit with everyone who tries it.

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