Spiced Maple Apple Butter

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 11 hours
🍽 Serves: 8
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Spiced Maple Apple Butter is the perfect way to capture the comforting flavors of fall in a jar. This smooth, rich spread is a delightful blend of apples, warm spices, and a touch of maple syrup that will have your kitchen smelling heavenly.

Ingredients for Spiced Maple Apple Butter

Apples: The star of the show. Choose a mix of sweet and tart varieties for the best flavor.
Apple cider: Adds moisture and a deeper apple flavor to the butter.
Maple syrup: Provides natural sweetness with a distinct, deep flavor that complements the spices.
Brown sugar: Enhances sweetness and adds a touch of molasses flavor.
Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice: These spices give the apple butter its warm, autumnal flavor.
Vanilla extract: Adds a subtle sweetness and depth to the final product.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.

Tips & Tricks

  • If you prefer a chunkier texture, pulse the mixture instead of pureeing it completely.
  • Use a mix of apple varieties for a more complex flavor profile.
  • Store in sterilized jars for longer shelf life.

Serving Suggestions

Try spreading the apple butter on warm toast or biscuits for breakfast. It’s also a fantastic topping for pancakes, waffles, or oatmeal. For something a bit different, use it as a glaze for pork chops or add a dollop to your favorite yogurt for a sweet twist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use apple juice instead of cider?
Yes, apple juice can work, but cider will give a deeper flavor.
How long will the apple butter last?
In the refrigerator, it should last about 2-3 weeks. If canned properly, it can last much longer.
Can I freeze apple butter?
Absolutely! Just make sure it's in a freezer-safe container. It can last for several months this way.

Spiced Maple Apple Butter Recipe Walkthrough

Start by peeling, coring, and slicing 4 pounds of apples. Don’t worry about being too precise with your slices; they’ll cook down just fine. Add them to your slow cooker, followed by 1 cup of apple cider. Next, pour in 1/2 cup of pure maple syrup and 1/2 cup of brown sugar. Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon of cloves, and 1/4 teaspoon of allspice. Give everything a good stir to combine.

Set your slow cooker to low and let it work its magic for about 10 hours. You’ll want to stir it occasionally to make sure everything cooks evenly. Once the apples are very soft, use an immersion blender to puree the mixture until it’s smooth. If you don’t have an immersion blender, a regular blender or food processor will work, just be careful with the hot mixture.

Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Let it cook on low for an additional hour to meld the flavors together. Once done, let it cool before transferring your spiced apple butter to airtight containers. Voila, you’ve got yourself a batch of homemade deliciousness!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • It’s a slow-cooker recipe, meaning minimal hands-on time.
  • Uses natural sweeteners like maple syrup for a deep, rich flavor.
  • The spices create a warm, inviting aroma that fills your home.
  • Perfect for gifting or keeping all to yourself.
  • It's versatile — great on toast, pancakes, or even as a pork glaze.

Ingredients

4 lbs apples (peeled, cored, and sliced)
1 cup apple cider
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp allspice
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Combine apples, apple cider, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice in a slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 10 hours, stirring occasionally until apples are very soft.
3. Puree the mixture using an immersion blender until smooth.
4. Stir in vanilla extract and salt, and cook for an additional hour on low.
5. Let cool before transferring to airtight containers.

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