Description
Ina Garten’s chunky apple butter brings rustic comfort from kitchen to table. Spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, this homemade spread promises warmth in each rich, silky spoonful you’ll savor alongside fresh toast or warm scones.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits:
- 1½ pounds Granny Smith apples (3 large)
- 1 pound crisp sweet red apples, such as Macoun or Empire (2 large)
- 1½ cups fresh apple cider
Spices and Flavoring:
- 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- ½ vanilla bean, split lengthwise
Base and Sweetener:
- 6 tablespoons (0.75 stick / 85 grams) unsalted butter
- 1 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
Instructions
- In a medium (9 to 10-inch) pot or Dutch oven, gently combine butter and sugar over low heat, allowing them to meld together for approximately 5 minutes.
- Prepare the apples by meticulously peeling, coring, and dicing them into uniform 1-inch chunks.
- Introduce the diced apples into the melted butter and sugar mixture, along with apple cider, warm spices (cinnamon, cloves, and allspice), and the aromatic vanilla bean.
- Elevate the temperature until the mixture reaches a rolling boil, then immediately reduce heat, cover the pot, and allow the contents to simmer gently for 15 minutes or until the apples become exceptionally tender.
- Remove the pot’s lid and continue simmering, allowing the liquid to gradually reduce and the apples to break down completely, which typically takes 35 to 40 minutes.
- Carefully extract and discard the vanilla bean, then transfer the entire contents – including soft apples and remaining liquid – into a food processor.
- Pulse the processor 5 times, creating a rustic, chunky purée that maintains some textural integrity.
- Carefully decant the apple butter into a clean storage container, ensuring it can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
- When ready to serve, gently reheat in the microwave for 1 minute, presenting the apple butter either warm or at ambient temperature to preserve its luscious consistency.
Notes
- Savor the complexity of flavors as your apple butter develops depth after resting overnight in the refrigerator, allowing the spices to meld and intensify.
- Preserve the rustic texture by gently pulsing the food processor, keeping the apple butter slightly chunky and maintaining its homemade charm.
- Watch carefully as the liquid slowly reduces, transforming your apple mixture into a rich, concentrated spread that clings perfectly to your toast.
- Ensure uniform cooking by cutting apples into consistent 1-inch chunks, guaranteeing even softening and caramelization throughout the batch.
- Select premium, crisp apples at peak ripeness to create a foundation of pure, vibrant apple flavor that will elevate your entire recipe.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 of 6 servings
- Calories: 363
- Sugar: 57g
- Sodium: 18mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 0.7g
- Cholesterol: 31mg