Lucille's Apple Butter Recipe
This Lucille's Apple Butter Recipe feels like home in a jar. I make it every fall. The smell fills my kitchen with warmth. This recipe is slow, gentle and full of love.
Ingredients
- Apples peeled and chopped – 4 pounds
- Apple cider or water – 1 cup
- Brown sugar – 1 cup
- Ground cinnamon – 2 teaspoons
- Ground nutmeg – 1/2 teaspoon
- Ground cloves – 1/4 teaspoon
- Salt – 1/2 teaspoon
- Vanilla extract – 1 teaspoon
Instructions
Prepare the Apples
- Peel and chop apples into small pieces. Remove cores fully. Uniform pieces cook more evenly.
Start Cooking
- Place apples and cider into the pot. Heat on medium until apples soften and release juices.
Simmer Slowly
- Lower heat and cover. Let apples cook gently. Stir often to prevent sticking or burning.
Blend Until Smooth
- Use a blender or immersion blender. Blend apples until thick and smooth like velvet.
Add Sugar and Spices
- Stir in brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and salt. Mix slowly and carefully.
Cook Down Further
- Cook uncovered on low heat. Stir often. The mixture will darken and thicken gradually.
Test Thickness
- Spoon apple butter onto a plate. If no liquid separates, it is ready.
Finish with Vanilla
- Remove pot from heat. Stir in vanilla extract gently for warmth and depth.
Cool Slightly
- Let apple butter cool for ten minutes. Flavors deepen as it rests.
Store or Serve
- Spoon into jars. Use warm or cool fully before sealing and storing.
Notes
- Use a mix of sweet and tart apples.
- Stir often during final cooking stage.
- Add maple syrup for deeper flavor.
- Try slow cooker for hands-free cooking.
- Adjust sugar to taste near the end.