We have a home filled with people that have a sweet tooth. Yeah, the dentist will agree we kind a have to take a chill pill on the sweets. You know what though, there is nothing like sharing a bit of yummy gooey goodness with the ones you love. It’s apple season all over the country and bushels of apples need to be used, so why not make a bit of rustic apple butter. Apple butter is easy to make and once done can be enjoyed for several months if remained unopened. That’s the beauty of canning. Today, I’m happy to share a recipe I have used for apple butter for years, that isn’t to sweet. It’s a classic from way back and I hope you enjoy making this and sharing with your loved ones. (holiday season is right around the corner, so think about pairing some home made apple butter with fresh bread and some wine and cheese as a gift idea.
INGREDIENTS:
4 pounds apples (about 16 medium or 10-12 large)
2 cups sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp. cloves
1 tsp sea salt
2 cups water
YOU WILL NEED CANNING JARS
TO MAKE THE APPLE BUTTER: Wash apples. Core and remove seeds, peel and quarter apples. Combine apples and 2 cups water and the other ingredients in a large sauce pot. Simmer until apples are soft. Use a fork to test the softness of the apples. DON’T over cook the apples! To make this rustic apple butter version, make sure you leave the apples a bit more chunkier by using a potato masher. You can blend half the amount in a blender as well for a smoother consistency. Cook slowly until thick enough to round up on a spoon. As the mixture thickens, stir frequently to prevent sticking. Ladle hot butter into hot jars, leaving 1/4-inch head space to allow the air to expand in the jar and cover the canning jar cap and lip. Tap the jar on a hard surface to remove the air bubbles. Process 10 minutes in a boiling water canner or big pot. Make sure the water is cover the entire jar.
We have been enjoying this yummy goodness, on everything from toast to oatmeal. Its a winner.
