Mom'S Homemade Apple Butter
Mom's Homemade Apple Butter offers a rich, spiced flavor profile with the natural sweetness of apples, perfect for spreading on toast or biscuits. Its warm cinnamon and cloves make it a cozy, comforting treat suitable for breakfast, snacks, or holiday gifting. A slow-cooked delight that highlights homemade goodness.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Put diced apples in a crock-pot with cider; cook for 10 to 12 hours.
- Sieve the cooked apples through a food mill to remove skins and seeds.
- Add sugar, cloves, and cinnamon to the sieved apples.
- Cook the mixture for an additional 3 hours.
- Ladle the apple butter into 6 sterile pint jars and seal.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, try using a mix of apples, such as adding Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for a balance of tartness and sweetness. If you want to reduce sugar, consider substituting half with honey or maple syrup, adjusting to taste. Keep an eye on the consistency during the last cooking phase; if it’s too runny, cook longer, stirring often.
Serving Suggestions
This apple butter is perfect for slathering on warm toast, pancakes, or waffles. It pairs beautifully with a cheese platter, complementing sharp cheeses like cheddar. For a delightful treat, try it as a topping for vanilla ice cream or mix it into oatmeal. It also makes a great gift when packed in decorative jars.
Storage & Reheating
Store the sealed jars of apple butter in a cool, dark place. Once opened, keep them in the refrigerator, where they’ll last for up to three weeks. To reheat, simply warm in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave in short bursts, stirring occasionally until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Mom'S Homemade Apple Butter contains roughly 802 calories, with 13g protein, 147g carbohydrates, and 32g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (137% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (96% of the Daily Value), and iron (66% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 487mg per serving (21% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other types of apples for this recipe?
Absolutely! While McIntosh apples provide great flavor, you can experiment with others like Fuji or Gala for a different taste profile. Just remember that the sweetness and tartness may vary, so adjust sugar accordingly.
How long can I store the apple butter?
When properly sealed in sterile jars, apple butter can last for up to a year in a cool, dark place. Once opened, it should be refrigerated and consumed within three weeks for the best flavor.
Can I make apple butter without a crock-pot?
Yes, you can cook the apple mixture on the stove in a large pot over low heat. Just be sure to stir frequently to prevent sticking and burning, and cook it longer to achieve the desired thickness.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).