Here’s a quick, delicious gift idea for Christmas giving. Bake a fresh loaf of brioche or a Finnish Braid to give along with this apple butter. It will make a wonderful breafast snack for your loved ones to enjoy Christmas morning.
Spooning warmed, spiced apple butter on your toast might just fool your mouth into thinking you’re eating apple pie. Served warm it is a very satisfying accompaniment to bagels, biscuits, pancakes and waffles. The quantity made with this recipe can be canned and enjoyed throughout the winter months.
For canning, you will need four 1-pint jars with lids. Sterilize your jars and lids ahead so you can fill them as the apple butter finishes baking.
Spiced Apple Butter
Makes approximately 2 quarts.
6 lbs. apples (such as Granny Smith, Macintosh, Pink Lady or Jonathans)
1 cup apple cider (or water)
2 – 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Peel, core and slice apples into eight wedges. Place them in a pot with the cider or water. Cover and bring pot to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Cook with the cover on for about 15 minutes. Remove lid and continue cooking about 5 minutes, or until apples are soft and aromatic.
Combine the remaining ingredients with the apples in a greased baking dish. Cover dish with foil. Bake apples about 3 hours, stirring occasionally, until mixture is dark, and thick and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Apples should be thick, soft and easily mashed.
Ladle the hot apple butter into your prepared jars, leaving a 1/4″ space at top of jar. Wipe the jar rim with a clean, sterilized towel. Seal and process the jars in a boiling-water bath for 5 minutes. Cool and label the jars.
