Spiced Apple Butter with Cloves (Print Version)
Smooth apple spread infused with warming spices and aromatic cloves, ideal for toast or oatmeal.
# What You Need:
→ Fruit
01 - 3 lbs peeled, cored, and chopped apples (Gala, Fuji, or Honeycrisp)
→ Sweetener
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
→ Liquids
04 - 1/2 cup apple cider or water
→ Spices
05 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
06 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
08 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Acid
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
# Directions:
01 - Place apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and apple cider or water into a large, heavy-bottomed pot and stir until evenly mixed.
02 - Heat over medium, stirring occasionally, until apples are tender and starting to break down, about 20 to 30 minutes.
03 - Remove from heat and blend using an immersion blender or standard blender in batches until completely smooth.
04 - Return the purée to the pot, then stir in cinnamon, cloves, allspice, nutmeg, salt, and lemon juice until fully incorporated.
05 - Simmer uncovered on low heat, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, until thick and deep brown, about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
06 - Taste and modify spice levels or sweetness as desired to achieve balanced flavor.
07 - Allow to cool slightly before transferring to sterilized jars; refrigerate for up to 3 weeks or process in a water bath for extended preservation.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It fills your home with a spice-kissed aroma that lasts long after you finish cooking.
- Once you taste it spread on warm toast, you'll wonder how you ever lived without homemade apple butter.
- It comes together with just basic kitchen equipment and no fancy techniques required.
02 -
- The difference between apple butter that tastes thin and one that tastes rich comes down to simmering time—do not rush the final hour and a half, as that's when the magic of concentration happens.
- If you add the spices too early, they'll cook down and fade; waiting until after you puree means they stay bright and potent.
03 -
- If your apple butter seems too thick after cooling, a splash of water stirred in will thin it to the perfect spreading consistency.
- A split vanilla bean stirred in during the final simmer adds a subtle depth that makes people ask what your secret is.