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Easy Apple Butter: Cinnamon & Clove Spiced Perfection

Experience the cozy magic of fall with this rich and spiced apple butter, infused with cinnamon and cloves. Perfect for spreading on toast or stirring into oatmeal, this homemade delight is a true labor of love.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 56 pounds of a mix of sweet and tart apples (such as Fuji, Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, or McIntosh)
  • 1 to 1.5 cups of light brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon of ground cloves
  • 1 cup of apple cider

Instructions

  1. Wash your apples thoroughly. Peel, core, and chop them into roughly 1-inch pieces.
  2. In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, combine your chopped apples, the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and the apple cider. Stir to ensure the apples are coated with the sugar and spices.
  3. Place the pot over medium-low heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Once it starts bubbling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it cook for about 20-30 minutes.
  4. After the initial simmer, remove the lid and continue to cook the apple mixture on low heat, stirring frequently for 2 to 4 hours. The apples should become incredibly soft and the mixture will darken in color.
  5. Once the apples are fork-tender and the mixture has significantly reduced, puree the mixture using an immersion blender, food mill, or regular blender until smooth.
  6. Return the apple butter to low heat and cook for another 30-60 minutes if needed, stirring constantly until it reaches your desired thickness.
  7. Taste your apple butter and adjust sweetness or spice as needed, cooking for a few more minutes after any adjustments.

Nutrition

Keywords: Choose a mix of sweet and tart apples for the best flavor. Be patient during the cooking process to develop deep flavors, and adjust spices and sweetness to your preference.