Chef John's Apple Butter

Paraffin was originally used instead of shortening.

Recipe Summary Chef John's Apple Butter

Move over, apple sauce. Apple butter is basically a spreadable apple pie filling, only better. Though cooking time is long, it's super easy and pretty hands-free. Pair it with some sharp Cheddar on a cheese plate, or slather it onto cheesy biscuits (see footnote). Other approved uses include spreading between the layers of a spice cake, filling seasonably appropriate thumbprint cookies, or even as a condiment for pork chops.

Ingredients | Simple Dessert Recipes To Make At Home

5 pounds Granny Smith apples, cored and cut into 1-inch pieces

1 ½ cups white sugar

½ cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

⅛ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

½ teaspoon ground allspice

¼ cup apple cider vinegar

1 splash water

Directions

Place apple pieces into a large slow cooker. Add white sugar, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and vinegar. Add a splash of water and mix well.

Cover and cook on High until apples are starting to soften and release liquid, 1 to 2 hours. Reduce heat to Low and cook, uncovered, until all the apple flesh is dissolved, 5 to 6 hours. Stir occasionally.

Puree using an immersion blender until smooth. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until darkened and thick, about 4 hours more. Pass apple butter through a strainer if desired. Seal in a glass container and refrigerate until cool.

Chef's Notes:

Any classic cooking apple should work in this recipe.

If you don't have a slow cooker you can certainly do it on top of the stove over low heat, as long as you use a nice thick-bottomed pot, and stir often. Another option would be to place the mixture in a large roasting pan, and cook it in a slow oven, stirring occasionally until dark and thick.

See my recipe for Irish Cheddar Spring Onion Biscuits.

Info | Simple Dessert Recipes To Make At Home

prep: 15 mins cook: 10 hrs total: 10 hrs 15 mins Servings: 32 Yield: 4 cups

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