What to do with a 3 lb bag of apples? Applesauce and Apple Butter

Tired of the same old jam/jelly you keep spreading on your toast? Are you a fan of apples? Then you should probably give apple butter a shot.

Apple butter is this amazing spread that's like a cross between apple sauce and jam (minus the gelatinous texture). This amazing little fruit butter is great on toast, waffles, biscuits, mixed into oatmeal, you name it. You can also use it as a binder or to replace some of the fat in baking (just like you would apple sauce).

I was inspired to make some after a shopping trip to the local food co-op and I noticed they had a couple bags of apples on quick sale that were on the verge of turning. So I thought to myself, what an awesome opportunity to go play in the kitchen. Not to mention I haven't made any apple butter since September, so yea, I'd say it was about time.

My version is lightly sweetened, and heavily spiced. If you like sweeter or milder apple butter by all means adjust it to your taste. Also I make applesauce first then turn that into apple butter. So you're basically getting two recipes for the price of one! 

 
Vanilla Cinnamon Applesauce

• 3 lbs apples (most recipes call for granny smith, but I prefer the sweeter fuji variety)
• 2T fresh lemon juice
• 1T cinnamon
• 1/2t allspice
• pinch of cloves
• pinch of ginger
• pinch of nutmeg
• 1 1/2c water
• 1t vanilla

Core and chop (you can also peel them if you wish but I keep them on) the apples into 1" pieces and place in a stock pot over medium-high heat. Add the lemon juice, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, ginger, nutmeg and stir and combine evenly. Add water and vanilla. Bring water to a boil and immediately reduce heat and simmer covered for 20 - 30 minutes.

Remove from heat and pour mixture into a blender and blend until smooth.


Caution! this makes a ton of apple butter. You might want to half the recipe if you don't plan of canning our using within two weeks. Also this recipe is an arm workout, you can't let it sit at all or it will burn. If you plan on walking away from it add a little it of apple cider.

Spiced Apple Butter

• applesauce (see above or use one large jar of store bought applesauce)
• 2T agave or maple syrup (you can go up to 1 cup if you like more sweetness)
• 2t cinnamon (optional)
• 1/2 allspice (optional)

Combine all ingredients into a saucepan over medium - medium/low heat and stir constantly for 15 - 20 minutes. Remove from heat immediately.