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Rich Spiced Apple Butter: Cinnamon & Clove Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.1 from 83 reviews
  • Author: Kimberly
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours
  • Yield: 4 servings (approximately 2 cups)
  • Category: Condiment
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Rich Spiced Apple Butter recipe combines the natural sweetness of apples with warm cinnamon and clove spices to create a thick, jam-like spread perfect for toast, baking, or gifting. Made by simmering and slow cooking apples with sugars and spices, this apple butter is smooth, deeply flavorful, and wonderfully aromatic.

Ingredients

Apples

  • 4-5 pounds apples (Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, or Braeburn)

Sweeteners

  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 cup granulated sugar

Spices and Flavorings

  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
  • Optional: whole cinnamon sticks
  • Optional: whole cloves
  • Optional: a tiny pinch freshly grated nutmeg or allspice

Liquids

  • 1 cup apple cider (or unsweetened apple juice or water)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Prepare the apples: Wash your apples thoroughly, then peel, core, and chop them into roughly 1-inch pieces to ensure even cooking and a smooth final texture.
  2. Combine ingredients: In a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, combine the chopped apples with the light brown sugar, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, apple cider (or substitute), and fresh lemon juice. Add whole cinnamon sticks and cloves or nutmeg/allspice if using. Stir to coat apples evenly and distribute spices.
  3. Initial cooking: Place the pot over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil while stirring occasionally. Once bubbling, reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 20-30 minutes until the apples are very soft.
  4. Thicken the mixture: Remove the lid, increase heat to medium-low to maintain a gentle simmer. Stir frequently and cook the mixture for 1 to 2 hours to evaporate excess liquid and achieve a thick, jam-like consistency.
  5. Puree apple butter: Remove any whole spices from the pot. Use an immersion blender, potato masher, or food processor to puree the cooked apples until smooth.
  6. Final thickening: Return the smooth apple mixture to the pot and cook over very low heat, stirring almost constantly for 30 minutes to 1 hour until the apple butter is thick and spreadable. Test doneness by placing a spoonful on a chilled plate; it should hold its shape.
  7. Jar the apple butter: Ladle the hot apple butter into sterilized jars leaving about 1/2 inch headspace. Wipe rims clean, apply lids and bands for storage.

Notes

  • Use a mixture of apple varieties for more complex flavor.
  • Optional whole spices add a more intense flavor but remember to remove before blending.
  • Apple cider can be substituted with unsweetened apple juice or water.
  • Cooking times may vary depending on apple variety and moisture content.
  • Store apple butter in sterilized jars and refrigerate after opening.

Find it online: https://slsrecipes.com/rich-spiced-apple-butter-cinnamon-and-clove-recipe/