Apple Butter

Apple Butter

Apple butter with peanut butter in a sandwich is one of my favorites. I remember growing up if mom had jar I wanted to be the first to open it. Just the smell of apples, cinnamon and spices cooking together reminds me of my younger days. The aroma of making apple butter just fills the house of hometown goodness. Though making my recipe takes a little work, the reward is great taste! Apple butter has many possibilities, not just for a spread only. You can use this on a sandwich, in sauces, just as a side dish and use it to enhance the richness of other recipes, in a dessert or main dish. This recipe makes 2- 8oz canning jars.
All I can say is be creative and enjoy.

Note:
*If you do not want to mess with straining and pressing the skins, then for the apples have them peeled and cored. Omit the straining step from the recipe as noted.


Apple Butter


Ingredients:


10 apples (washed, trimmed top and bottoms then cut into quarters)(small to medium size ,your choice of type)
1 strip of orange peel (or a 1tbsp of  orange zest)
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup stevia (or your choice artificial sweetener)
2 tbsp  ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or allspice)
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp salt
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp vanilla
2 cups water

Apples being cut

All the ingredients in a large pot

In a large pot place all the ingredients and mix. Cook on high heat for 20 minutes (stirring every 5-10 so it doesn't stick) then reduce to simmer for another 25 minutes till apples are well cooked.Remove from heat. (They will start to smash when pressed down on them)

Apples cooked down

Apples processed in
 food processor

Pressing the mixture through
the strainer

Apple butter
(from strainer)

Next place the mixture in a food processor. Process till there are no chunks of apples.(you will see the orange peel and skins).* In a large bowl use a sieve or fine strainer over the bowl and press the mixture through the strainer(this is the part that takes a little work). You work the mixture back and forth in the strainer pressing down as you do this with a large spoon.What comes through the bottom of the strainer is the apple butter. In between pressing the mixture through, take a spoon and spoon mixture off the bottom of strainer to the bowl. Now if you decide to use a food mill you can skip the strainer part of this recipes.
The left over skins and peels that don't go through strainer, you can just through away( I probably had about 3/4 of cup skins and peels).

Poured Apple Butter in jars

Apple Butter Jared 

When you have all the apple butter strained in the bowl then you can store it in canning jars or containers. I used mine right away so I kept mine in the refrigerator but you can do the traditional canning method if you would like, to store it longer.
Of course I did my apples the hard way but that just means there's more love in it...(laughing)!


Remember, have fun and make it yours.

Home made waffles with fresh Apple Butter!
Mm.......

And that's the "DISH" for today!