| Prep: 30 mins | Cook: 60 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 320 | 0.2g | 0g | 82g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 68g | 5g | 1g | 0.04g |
As a California native who combines West Coast health-consciousness with a touch of classic American comfort in my cooking, I often yearn for dishes that balance both worlds delicately. One such delightful recipe that comes to mind is the timeless and versatile, Apple Butter. It’s one of those dishes that manages to evoke the warmth of home, regardless of where you currently reside. Picture it now: a golden smear of sweet, rich apple butter on a warm piece of toast, the aroma of cinnamon and cloves with a hint of vanilla wafting in the air, promising a moment of pure palate pleasure. Yes, this recipe truly warms the heart and soothes the soul. And best of all? It’s chock full of healthy ingredients.
The Art of a Healthy Sweet Treat
Apple Butter also embodies simplicity at its best. It’s as if the apples just soften into their truest form, enhanced with the natural sweetness of sugar and the tantalizing flavors of ground cinnamon and cloves. The wonder in this recipe is how the apples retain their fiber and nutrients, making it guilt-free and a far cry from store-bought, preservative-filled versions. The benefits of apples are well-known (they didn’t say an apple a day keeps the doctor away for nothing!), which include improving heart health, reducing the risk of diabetes, and aiding in digestion.
A Versatile Culinary Companion
It certainly doesn’t hurt that Apple Butter is incredibly versatile when it comes to pairing it with other dishes. You can spread it on a slice of rustic sourdough, add a spoonful to your morning yogurt, use it as a glaze for pork chops, or stir it into a comforting bowl of oatmeal. When you factor in the health benefits, flavor, versatility, and simplicity of preparation, it’s easy to understand why Apple Butter holds such a special place in many a cook’s repertoire.
It’s similar in nature to jams and preserves, yet unique because of its thicker texture and richer flavor. For a twist, you can even take inspiration from southern cuisine and pair it with homemade biscuits (like this recipe from Food Network).
Whether for breakfast or a comforting snack, baking or grilling, Apple Butter is a recipe that captures the fanciful fusion of healthful Californian cuisine and the comfort of enduring American classics. Perhaps it’s the ability to whisk me back to childhood or perhaps the way it threads together health and heartiness, but there’s just something about Apple Butter that I truly love.
What You’ll Need
- 5 1/2 pounds of apples – peeled, cored and finely chopped
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
Method
Step One
Begin by preparing your apples. Make sure they are peeled, cored and finely chopped. This will ensure that your apple butter has a smooth consistency. You should have around 5 1/2 pounds of apples.
Step Two
Once your apples are prepared, place them in a large pot. Add in the 2 cups of granulated sugar. Stir everything together until the apples are coated in the sugar.
Step Three
Next, add the spices to your apple and sugar mixture. You will need 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Stir everything so that the spices are evenly distributed throughout the apples.
Step Four
Place the pot on the stove and cook it on low heat. Allow it to simmer for about 2 hours or until the apples are soft and the liquid has reduced. Stir occasionally to prevent the apples from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Step Five
Once the apples are soft and the liquid has reduced, remove the pot from the heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon of pure vanilla extract for added flavor.
Step Six
Let the apple butter cool off a bit, then puree it in a blender or food processor until it reaches the desired consistency. If you want your apple butter to be extra smooth, you can strain it through a fine mesh strainer after pureeing.
Step Seven
Your apple butter is now ready to enjoy! It can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. You can use it as a spread for toast, a topping for oatmeal or yogurt, or a filling for baked goods.
