Not sure what to do with the dozens of apples you are collecting from your fruit pickups? Tired of crisps or don’t feel like messing with a pie? Try Apple Butter!
If you saw me at the garden last weekend, you probably heard me dreaming about making apple butter, thanks to a hot tip from a creative member. I did it! And it was easier than I thought.
This recipe was adapted from Food Network - I took a number of liberties, didn’t measure a thing, and it turned out great. Time not on your side? Try this in an Instapot or slow cooker (sorry you are on your own for the timing and temperature there, but let us know what works!)
Ingredients:
4 lbs of apples; peel and chop them
2 cups apple cider
1 cup light brown sugar
Sprinkle of Kosher salt
Juice from half a small lemon
1 tsp cinnamon
1tsp nutmeg
1tsp ground cloves
1 tsp vanilla
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
Combine the apples, apple cider, brown sugar and salt in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, partially cover and cook about 20 minutes
Stir in the lemon juice, cinnamon, vanilla and cloves. Use immersion blender (or ladle into a blender) to blend until smooth
Put dutch oven filled with apple mixture into the oven and bake for around 4 hours, stirring every 30 minutes. You’ll know when its done when it has thickened into a deep amber.
Remove from the oven and let cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate.