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Apple Butter

A deeply spiced, silky-smooth spread made by slow-cooking apples with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of brown sugar until they caramelize into a rich, dark condiment. Plan ahead: the slow cooker runs for 10 to 12 hours.

80 minEasyServes 3250 cal/serving

AmericanSauceSlow CookerVeganVegetarianLow CarbGluten-FreeDairy-FreeEgg-FreeNut-FreeSoy-FreeLow-SodiumPork-FreeNightshade-Free

Ingredients

  • 6 lbs apples (such as Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, chopped
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ground allspice
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt

Instructions

  1. 1

    Place 6 lbs peeled, cored, chopped apples (such as Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp) in the slow cooker. Add 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar, 2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, 1/4 tsp ground allspice, and 1/4 tsp kosher salt. Stir to coat.

  2. 2

    Cover and cook on low for 10 to 12 hours, or on high for 5 to 6 hours, until the apples are completely soft and deeply browned.

  3. 3

    Stir in 1 tsp pure vanilla extract and 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar.

  4. 4

    Use an immersion blender directly in the slow cooker insert (or transfer in batches to a stand blender) and blend until completely smooth.

  5. 5

    If the apple butter is thinner than you like, leave the lid off and cook on high for another 30 to 60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens to a spreadable consistency.

  6. 6

    Transfer to clean jars, let cool, then refrigerate for up to 3 weeks or freeze for up to 6 months.

Questions

Can I make Apple Butter ahead?

Yes, it takes well to being made ahead. Sugar and vinegar are preservatives: in a clean sealed jar it keeps two to three weeks refrigerated.

Can I halve or double Apple Butter?

Yes. As written it serves 32. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. Keep the slow cooker between half and two-thirds full; the cook time stays roughly the same.

Serve it with

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