Apple Butter

Last week we were in Northern Illinois and stopped in at an awesome apple orchard, Edwards Orchard to be exact.  They had a large store where you could not only purchase their apples but also lots of other foods that they make themselves.  I’ve always liked apple butter but never have tried to make it myself, but after sampling theirs I knew I had to make some.  After scouring the internet for recipes, I came up with this one which is a combination of several different recipes.  You can easily cut it in half if you want.
Apple pulp is the first thing you need.  Quarter and core about 40 medium size apples.  Make sure you use a soft apple, such as a McIntosh.  Gala and Cortlands work too but they need to cook a little longer.

Put the apples in a large kettle over low heat.  You can add a small amount of water just to get them cooking but be careful not to add too much.

They are starting to soften.                   Here’s what they need to look like.

Pour them into a strainer and press the pulp out.

And now you have applesauce!  Or as the recipe says, apple pulp. You will need 16 cups of the apple pulp.

This is what is left in your strainer.  Makes me wish we had a pig to feed it to but I’m ok with not having one.

Pour the apple pulp back into the large kettle.


Add one cup of apple cider.  This is the cider we bought from the orchard.  It is sooo good!

Now add the following:  4 cups white sugar, 2 cups brown sugar, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 Tablespoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon cloves, 1 teaspoon allspice and 1 teaspoon nutmeg.

Stir this all together and start cooking it over low heat. 

This is what it should look like when it is finished cooking.  It took about 5-6 hours of low heat and lots of stirring to come to this stage.  And your house will smell awesome!

Ladle into jars and hot water bath for 10 minutes.  I used half pint but you could use pint jars.

Yummy!  This is going to taste so good on pancakes.

Apple Butter
16 cups apple pulp
1 cup apple cider
4 cups sugar
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbl cinnamon
1 tsp cloves
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp nutmeg
Combine all ingredients in large kettle and cook until thick.  Seal in jars and hot water bath for 10 minutes.
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
– 1 Corinthians 10:13