Homemade Apple Butter
Homemade apple butter is a great way to use up tons of apples during the season, and it's perfect for baking all kinds of apple treats!
Yield: 2.5 cups
Ingredients
- 8 apples washed and peeled (I used a mix of Granny Smith and Fuji)
- 4 tablespoons (84 g) pure maple syrup plus more to taste
- â…› teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons apple pie spice (See Recipe Notes)
Instructions
- Grate the flesh of each of the peeled apples on a medium grate into a large, Dutch oven or heavy-bottom saucepan.
- Add the maple syrup, salt and apple pie spice, and mix to combine.
- Place the pan over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 45 minutes.
- The mixture will begin to liquefy, and then will begin to cook down and darken in color.
- Continue to cook for up to another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is evenly golden brown and the liquid has reduced, leaving behind a thick paste.
- For perfectly smooth apple butter, transfer the mixture to a blender or food processor and process until smooth.
- Add more maple syrup by the teaspoonful to taste, up to another 2 tablespoons.
- If you add too much syrup, you will thin the apple butter. Transfer to a heat-safe container and allow to cool completely before storing in the refrigerator or using in a recipe (or on toast!).
Notes
To make your own apple pie spice.
Combine 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon + 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom + 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg + 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger + 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice.