Apple butter is a rich, spiced spread made by slow-cooking apples until they become thick, smooth, and bursting with warm fall flavors. If you’ve ever wondered, “How do I can apple butter?” you’re in the right place. This article will walk you through making apple butter from scratch and preserving it safely through canning, so you can enjoy this cozy treat all year long.
What Is Apple Butter?
Apple butter is not just apple sauce. It’s cooked longer and with spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, resulting in a deeply caramelized, thick, and spreadable fruit butter. It’s perfect on toast, muffins, pancakes, or even as a glaze for meats.
How to Make Apple Butter: The Basics
Ingredients You’ll Need
– Apples (a mix of sweet and tart varieties works best)
– Sugar (brown sugar, granulated sugar, or maple syrup)
– Spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves)
– Vanilla extract (optional)
– Water or apple cider
Simple Steps to Make Apple Butter
- Prepare the Apples: Wash, core, and chop your apples. Peeling is optional; leaving the peel on adds nutrients and flavor.
- Cook the Apples: Place apples in a slow cooker or large pot with water or apple cider and cook on low heat until soft (about 8-10 hours in a slow cooker or simmer on the stovetop for about 1 hour).
- Add Sugar and Spices: Mix in your sugars and spices. Continue cooking uncovered to let the mixture thicken and deepen in color.
- Blend Until Smooth: Use an immersion blender or regular blender to puree the mixture to your desired consistency.
- Cook to Desired Thickness: Continue cooking uncovered, stirring often, until the apple butter is thick enough to hold its shape on a spoon.
How Do I Can Apple Butter?
Canning apple butter is a fantastic way to preserve your homemade spread safely for months. Here’s a step-by-step guide to canning apple butter using the water bath canning method, which is ideal for high-acid foods like apple butter.
What You’ll Need for Canning
– Sterilized glass canning jars with lids and rings
– Large pot or water bath canner
– Jar lifter or tongs
– Clean cloth for wiping jar rims
Step-by-Step Canning Instructions
- Prepare Your Jars: Wash jars, lids, and rings in hot soapy water. Sterilize jars by boiling them in water for 10 minutes or running them through a dishwasher cycle.
- Fill Jars with Hot Apple Butter: Ladle the hot apple butter into sterilized jars, leaving about ¼-inch headspace at the top.
- Remove Air Bubbles: Run a non-metallic spatula or chopstick around the inside of the jar to release trapped air bubbles.
- Clean Jar Rims: Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp cloth to ensure a good seal.
- Seal the Jars: Place the lids on the jars and screw the bands on until fingertip tight.
- Process in Boiling Water: Place the jars on a rack in a boiling water bath canner. Ensure water covers jars by at least 1 inch. Process pint jars for 10 minutes (adjust time if you live above 1,000 feet elevation).
- Cool and Check Seals: Turn off heat and let jars sit in water for 5 minutes. Remove jars and place on a towel to cool for 12-24 hours. Check seals by pressing the center of each lid-if it doesn’t pop back, it’s sealed.
- Store: Label and store sealed jars in a cool, dark place. Refrigerate any jars that didn’t seal properly and use those first.
Tips for Perfect Apple Butter and Safe Canning
– Use a mix of apple varieties for a balanced flavor.
– Cook apple butter long enough uncovered to reach a thick, spreadable consistency.
– Stir frequently during the final cooking stages to prevent burning.
– Always use sterilized jars and proper canning techniques to avoid spoilage.
– Adjust processing times if you live at high altitudes to ensure safety.
Using Your Homemade Apple Butter
Apple butter is incredibly versatile! Spread it on toast or biscuits, swirl it into yogurt or oatmeal, use it as a topping for pancakes or ice cream, or even add it to savory dishes like pork chops for a sweet-spicy glaze.
Making and canning apple butter at home is a rewarding way to capture the taste of fall all year round. With just a little patience and care, you’ll have jars of delicious apple butter ready to enjoy or gift to friends and family.
Enjoy your homemade apple butter adventure!