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Healthy Apple Butter Recipe

Healthy Apple Butter Recipe
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★★★★★

5 from 17 reviews

This Healthy Apple Butter recipe is a naturally sweet and flavorful spread made from slow-cooked apples and aromatic spices. It’s perfect for adding a wholesome touch to toast, oatmeal, or yogurt, with no added sugars or preservatives, making it a nutritious and delicious alternative to store-bought varieties.

Ingredients

Scale

Apples

  • 6 medium apples (choose a sweet variety like Gala or Honeycrisp), cored and sliced (not peeled)

Liquid & Spices

  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (or water)
  • 1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Pinch of sea salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare Apples: Core and slice six medium sweet apples without peeling them to retain nutrients and natural pectin, then place them into a large slow cooker or crock-pot.
  2. Add Liquid and Spices: Pour in 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar (or water if preferred), then add the ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, and a pinch of sea salt. Stir everything together until well combined.
  3. Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook the mixture on low for 5-6 hours. During this time, the apples will soften considerably, the liquid will reduce, and the flavors will meld to create a deeply fragrant base.
  4. Puree the Apples: Once the apples are soft and darkened, turn off the slow cooker and use an immersion blender to puree the mixture directly in the pot until smooth. Alternatively, carefully transfer the cooked apples to a blender and blend until completely smooth.
  5. Thicken and Caramelize: After pureeing, turn the slow cooker to high and cook the apple butter uncovered for an additional 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally. This step helps to thicken the butter and develop a rich caramelized flavor.
  6. Cool and Store: Turn off the slow cooker and allow the apple butter to cool for about 30 minutes. Transfer it to airtight containers or jars, then let it cool completely before refrigeration. The apple butter will keep fresh in the fridge for up to 3 weeks or can be frozen for up to a year.

Notes

  • Use sweet apple varieties like Gala, Honeycrisp, or Fuji for the best natural sweetness.
  • The apple cider vinegar helps balance the sweetness and preserve flavor, but water can be used as a substitute.
  • Do not peel the apples; keeping the skin adds extra fiber and nutrients.
  • Blending the apples inside the slow cooker is convenient, but a blender works well; be careful with hot contents.
  • Adjust spices to your liking; more cinnamon or vanilla can enhance flavor.
  • For thicker apple butter, extend cooking time uncovered but watch closely to avoid burning.
  • Store the apple butter in sterilized jars if you plan for longer storage or gifting.
  • Freeze in portioned containers for easy use later.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple butter, healthy apple butter, slow cooker apple butter, homemade apple spread, no sugar apple butter, fall recipes

Find it online: https://todayfoodrecipe.com/healthy-apple-butter-recipe/