Chef John's Apple Butter
Apple butter is basically a spreadable apple pie filling, only better! Any classic cooking apple should work in this recipe. Though the cooking time is long, it's super easy and pretty hands-free. Pair this apple butter with some sharp Cheddar on a cheese plate, or slather it onto cheesy biscuits.
Apple butter is basically a spreadable apple pie filling, only better! Any classic cooking apple should work in this recipe. Though the cooking time is long, it's super easy and pretty hands-free. Pair this apple butter with some sharp Cheddar on a cheese plate, or slather it onto cheesy biscuits.
Ingredients
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5 pounds Granny Smith apples, cored and cut into 1-inch pieces
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1 ½ cups white sugar
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½ cup brown sugar
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1 teaspoon salt
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2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
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⅛ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
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½ teaspoon ground allspice
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¼ cup apple cider vinegar
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½ cup water
Method
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Place apple pieces into a large slow cooker. Add white sugar, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and vinegar. Add water and mix well.
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Cover and cook on High until apples are starting to soften and release liquid, 1 to 2 hours. Reduce heat to Low and cook, uncovered, until all the apple flesh is dissolved, 5 to 6 hours. Stir occasionally.
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Puree using an immersion blender until smooth. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until darkened and thick, about 4 hours more. Pass apple butter through a strainer if desired. Seal in a glass container and refrigerate until cool.
