Description
Homemade caramel apple butter delivers a rich, autumnal spread perfect for morning toast or baking. Spices blend seamlessly with caramelized apples, creating a luxurious condiment that will delight seasonal palates.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 5 lbs (2.27 kg) apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (110 g) brown sugar, packed
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
- Wash and meticulously prepare apples by peeling, coring, and slicing them into uniform pieces, arranging them evenly inside the slow cooker.
- Generously sprinkle granulated and brown sugars over the apple slices, then dust with aromatic cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and a pinch of salt, thoroughly mixing to ensure each apple slice is completely coated.
- Cover the slow cooker and allow the mixture to simmer on low temperature for 8-10 hours, periodically stirring to prevent sticking and promote even caramelization.
- When apples have transformed into a soft, broken-down consistency, utilize an immersion blender to puree the mixture into a velvety smooth texture. Alternatively, carefully transfer contents to a standard blender and process in small batches.
- Introduce vanilla extract and rich caramel sauce, stirring vigorously to create a harmonious blend throughout the apple butter.
- If the mixture appears too liquid, continue cooking uncovered on low heat for an additional hour, allowing excess moisture to evaporate and achieving a thick, spreadable consistency.
- Finish by incorporating sea salt for a sophisticated flavor profile. Allow the apple butter to cool completely before transferring to sterilized glass jars or airtight containers, then refrigerate for up to 2 weeks or process in a water bath for extended preservation.
Notes
- Choose firm, sweet-tart apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for the best flavor and texture in your apple butter.
- Use a slow cooker for hands-off cooking that develops deep, rich caramelized flavors without burning.
- Adjust sugar levels based on apple sweetness, tasting and adding more brown sugar if needed for a balanced caramel profile.
- Blend thoroughly to achieve a silky-smooth consistency, removing any apple chunk remnants for a professional finish.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 hours
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 10
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 2 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 0.5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg