Spiced Apple Butter

There’s nothing quite like the rich, spiced flavor of homemade apple butter made from your own backyard apples. Beyond spreading it on warm toast, pancakes, or waffles at breakfast, apple butter also shines as a glaze for pork or chicken, or even stirred into sauces for a sweet and savory kick. This stovetop recipe is simple, fragrant, and doesn’t require canning—just cook, blend, and enjoy.

Ingredients

• 7–8 pounds apples (any varieties you like, or a mix for more flavor)

• ½ to 1 cup dark brown sugar or pure maple syrup (adjust to taste)

• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

• ¾ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves

• 1 lemon, zested and juiced

Instructions

Prep the Apples
Wash, core, and chop your apples (peeling is optional). Place them in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan.

Add Flavor
Stir in the cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, lemon juice, and sweetener of your choice (start with ½ cup and adjust later).

Cook Low & Slow
Cover and cook on low heat, stirring occasionally, for 1–2 hours, until the apples are very soft and your kitchen smells like an orchard.

Blend Until Smooth
Remove from heat and let cool for at least 15 minutes. Use an immersion blender (or transfer carefully to a regular blender in batches) to puree the apples into a silky, smooth butter.

Cool & Store
Transfer to clean jars or containers. Once fully cooled, store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze for longer storage.