I was introduced to Apple Butter while I was attending college down in Pensacola, Florida. Just a hop over the state line into Alabama was a Lambert’s restaurant, home of the throwed rolls and amazing apple butter. I had never even heard of anything other than “normal butter” before, but when I tried one of their homemade rolls slathered in apple butter – I was hooked. This is where my love affair with this delicious spread began. Apple butter is more or less like apple sauce – except much smoother and thicker and seasoned with warm autumn spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
“Autumn seemed to arrive suddenly that year. The morning of the first September was crisp and golden as an apple.” {J. K. Rowling}
I put apple butter on everything – toasted English muffins, in between the slices of an apple, cheddar, and bacon panini, over fluffy dinner rolls, it even tastes amazing drizzled over a bowl of vanilla ice cream. You can also add it to recipes and make creations such as apple butter cinnamon rolls, apple butter cake/muffins, apple butter BBQ sauce for spareribs… let your imagination go crazy.
Blend until the apple mixture is smooth.
During fall and winter I LOVE to break out my slow cooker. Not only does it make dinner prep super easy, but your whole house smells delicious all day. This recipe is no exception. It requires almost zero prep time and your home will smell like your favorite fall candle – except you get to eat it at the end, which I definitely would not recommend with your candle.
A hot water bath is vital to disinfect your jars and lids – ensuring a long shelf life.
Carefully pour the piping hot apple butter into prepared jars.
As I said, this recipe is so easy. All you have to do is stick some apples in a slow cooker with some cider and spices, let it sit there all day, stirring occasionally, and voilà! Apple Butter. It really is that easy. Plus, it’s a great way to use up all your leftover fall apples. We only have two apple trees but boy do they produce! We are up to our ears in apples over here – not that I’m complaining at all when I can make scrumptious recipes like this one.
I hope by now I’ve convinced you to give apple butter a try. So, without further ado, I give you my favorite apple butter recipe. Enjoy!
Southern Slow Cooked Apple Butter
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 -12 hours
INGREDIENTS
- 4 pounds apples, cored and chopped (Any type of apple will work, but I prefer the sweet taste of Honeycrisp)
- 2 cups apple cider
- 1 cup of brown sugar, firmly packed
- 1/4 cup real maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves
- 1 pinch salt
INSTRUCTIONS
- Place the apples in your slow cooker. Add the rest of your ingredients and stir to make sure the apples are evenly coated. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, stirring halfway through.
- Transfer the apple butter to a blender (or simply use an immersion blender) and puree until the mixture is smooth and no chunks remain. Return to the slow cooker and cook uncovered on high for 2 hours. These last two hours are important! By cooking it uncovered, you allow it to thicken up into a beautiful spread.
- Carefully pour the hot apple butter into prepared jars and seal tightly. Once opened, store in the fridge.
NOTE: Make sure you do a hot water bath to your jars and lids to ensure they are properly sterilized before filling them. This way, they should last up to a year on the shelf.
If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave me a comment. I’d love to hear from you guys! And of course, if you do make this recipe and share it on Instagram, tag me @jessicalenhert so I can see your masterpiece!
