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Homemade Apple Butter (Stovetop)

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Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

  • 4 pounds apples about 1.8 kg, cored and chopped - Approximately 7-8 large apples.
  • 1 cup brown sugar or to taste
  • 2 tablespoons mascovado sugar optional
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste optional
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Equipment

  • Pot with lid
  • Immersion blender or regular blender
  • Spatula

Method
 

  1. Step 1: Prepare Your Apples
    Wash the apples thoroughly, remove the cores, and chop them into small pieces.
    You can peel them or leave the skins on since everything will be blended later.
  2. Step 2: Add the Sugar and Spices
    Stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, lemon juice, and salt. Mix everything thoroughly.
  3. Step 2: Cook the Apples
    Place the chopped apples in a large, heavy-bottomed pot.
    Add the water, cover the pot, and cook over medium-low heat for about 20–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples become very soft. If the pot starts looking dry before the apples soften, add a small splash of water.
  4. Step 3: Blend Until Smooth
    Once the apples are soft, use an immersion blender to puree them directly in the pot. You can also carefully transfer the cooked apples to a regular blender, working in batches.
    Just make sure to handle the hot mixture carefully and follow your blender's instructions for blending hot foods.
    Blend until the apples are completely smooth.At this stage, you've basically made a spiced applesauce! But we're not stopping here.
  5. Step 5: Cook Until Thick and Rich
    Return the pot to low heat and continue cooking the apple puree uncovered for approximately 1 ½ to 3 hours, stirring frequently.
    The exact time will depend on the type of apples you're using, how much water they contain, and how wide your pot is.
    As the mixture cooks, it will gradually darken and become thicker. Make sure to stir more frequently as it thickens because apple butter can easily stick to the bottom of the pot. If it starts bubbling and splattering, reduce the heat and use a splatter screen. You can also continue cooking half covered.
    You'll know it's ready when it has a thick, smooth, spreadable consistency and holds its shape briefly when you drag a spoon across the bottom of the pot.