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There’s nothing quite as comforting as the spiced aroma of homemade apple butter. Made with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand, it is a delicious spread for toast, biscuits, pancakes and more.
Whether you're preserving a fall harvest or simply craving a cozy homemade treat, making apple butter is easier than you might think, and the results are well worth the time. Plus, with a few tweaks, it can even be a healthier treat. After all, you know the saying about an apple a day.
Start with the core ingredients
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Most apple butter recipes include a handful of simple ingredients, such as apples, water, sugar and cinnamon. Additional ingredients like cloves, salt, vanilla bean and lemon juice can also be added, depending on your preferences.
If you want to add some additional nutritional value, Heather Ritter, a registered dietitian in Chicago at Health Loft, says skip the syrups or sweetened apple juice concentrate that some recipes call for.
“To create a more nutrient-dense version, I would rely on the natural flavor of apples and spices, and retain the apple peels to boost fiber content, though this will alter the texture,” she says. “You can also incorporate chia seeds to add protein, omega-3 fatty acids and additional fiber.”
Slow and steady
While the ingredients for apple butter are simple, the cooking process does take time. Since it is a concentrated spread, the butter is made by simmering apples until they are soft, pureeing them and then caramelizing. The caramelization process can take about an hour on the stovetop, with constant stirring to prevent sticking or burning. Some recipes also allow for the apple butter to be made in a slow cooker for around 10 to 12 hours.
“While the process is straightforward, it is time-intensive, primarily due to peeling and simmering,” explains Ritter. “Necessary equipment includes a vegetable peeler, a pot, a wooden spoon, a stove or slow cooker and either a standard or immersion blender.”
Including it in your diet
Apples are healthy, but Ritter says it’s important to remember that apple butter itself should be treated more as a condiment than a full serving of fruit. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that a single tablespoon of apple butter can contain around 6 grams of sugar or up to 23% of the recommended daily intake for sugar.
“Because it is condensed, I recommend a portion size of roughly 1 to 2 tablespoons,” she says. “It is often better tolerated than raw apples for those with gastrointestinal sensitivities and serves as an excellent way to add vitamins and minerals to foods like oatmeal, yogurt, multigrain toast or meats.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How to make apple butter, according to experts
