Simple Homemade Apple Butter

I have a confession to make!  I never really liked apple butter. Believe it or not, I had not even tasted apple butter until a friend in upstate NY made some and gave a jar to us as a gift. I have to admit, it wasn’t my favorite. So, after that initial apple butter encounter, I decided to eschew apple butter and stick with jam or other homemade fruit preserves and spreads.

Keep reading to see what changed my mind about this amazing, but simple treat.

 

BENEFITS FROM GROWING YOUR OWN

Everyone has heard the saying, “An apple a day, keeps the doctor away.” The health benefits of eating apples regularly include boosting your immune system, supporting good gut health, and promoting good heart and brain health.

They are a versatile fruit and are packed with vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that can help combat certain common diseases. Even cancer.

There are so many delicious ways to eat them. They can be canned, made into apple pie, apple sauce, apple juice, apple cider, apple vinegar, sourdough apple pancakes, apple crisp, cinnamon apple cider donuts, dehydrated apple rings, and so much more.

That’s why I love that we can just walk out into our garden and know that our apples haven’t been treated with any pesticides or chemicals which would work against all the amazing benefits this delicious fruit has to offer.

Because we grow them right here on our farm, they have more time to naturally ripen and therefore have a chance to be as fresh and nutrient dense as they can be.

On our homestead, we have a total of three living apple trees.  They never really produced a huge crop, but from time to time, we harvest enough extra apples to create something delicious.

 

ARE APPLE SEEDS HARMFUL

You may have heard that apples contain arsenic and that you must never eat the apple seeds for fear of poisoning.  Well, that is partially true, but more studies and research have shown that many seeds like plums, cherries, apples, apricots, and some nuts and beans, contain a naturally occurring substance that can be converted into small traces of cyanide during digestion.  However, there is always more to the story and as advocates for natural health and healing, we highly recommended testing all things and doing the research for yourselves.

You can find evidence that supports differing opinions online and off line. With science, they are always discovering something new and fascinating about health and the design of our bodies.  Unfortunately, depending on the source and whether it can be trusted and is reliable, that is where the confusion, misinformation, and outdated findings that are shared, take place.

In order for apple seeds to be harmful, an extremely large amount must be consumed. Not only that, but there is substantial evidence that shows that these seeds that contain this substance, B17 may help with fighting cancer.  Do your own research and due diligence and you be the one to form your own opinion on what is right for you and your family.

 

This article here goes into more details on how B17, also known as amygdalin works and the benefits it may offer.

 

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SUPPLIES AND TOOLS YOU WILL NEED

• slow cooker
• sharp knife
• vegetable peeler or apple peeler (we have one similar to this)
• silicone spatula
• apple slicer
• immersion blender
• mason jars (with lids and rings)
• measuring cups
• measuring spoons
• dishcloth (for wiping lids)

 

Recipe Box: Simple Homemade Apple Butter

Homemade apple butter bursts with flavor and tastes like a delicious apple pie. The satisfaction of using homegrown apples can’t be beat!

Print

Ingredients

• 5 lbs or 20 medium sized organic apples
• 1c organic cane sugar or raw honey
• 1/2c coconut sugar or organic brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp Himalayan pink sea salt or Celtic sea salt
• 1.5 tsp ground Saigon cinnamon
• 1/4c apple cider vinegar with mother
• 1c filtered water (we use our Berkey Water Filter)

Instructions

1. Wash and rinse apples in large metal or glass bowl.
   
2. Peel, core, and dice apples into small cubes.
   
3. Place in slow cooker.
   
4. Add dry ingredients in the order above and mix well.
   
5. Add apple cider vinegar, water, and mix until combined.
   
6. Place lid on and turn slow cooker on high and cook for a few hours.
   
7. Once apples begin to soften, use immersion blender to blend the apples into a smooth consistency.
   
8. Stir mixture.
   
9. Place lid back on, turn setting to low and cook overnight.
   
10. In the morning, remove lid, mix, and cook an additional 2-3 hrs or until desired consistency is achieved.
    
11. Turn off heat and transfer into clean Mason jars with lid and place in refrigerator or freezer.

Notes

This recipe can also be made in larger batches and canned. See Ball site instructions on how long to process.

Our “misfit” apple skins.  Still trying to investigate what causes this, so that we can rectify the issue.  We have had our soil tested and the results have been favorable.

Adding dry ingredients and filtered water. We love our Berkey Water Filter.

This is what it looks like after having been slow cooked overnight and blended. The extra few hours with the lid off helps to allow any excess moisture to evaporate before storing and makes for a thicker consistency.

 

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BONUS TIPS

• When ready, the “butter” should pass the individual “back-of-the-spoon” test for proper thickness. It should cling to the back of the spoon without dripping.
• This recipe can be placed in the fridge (good for 7-10 days) in an airtight container or in the freezer (good for up to 3 months).
• Make sure to leave some head space if placing in the freezer and that your container is freezer safe.
• This recipe can easily be canned and processed according to the Ball canning instructions. For our elevation, it is about 10 minutes processing time. Use our beginner back to basics canning tips here to make the process less overwhelming.

We have been getting creative with our apple recipes.  I will be adding to these pre-autumn recipes very soon. So, check back for more apple inspiration.

Homemade apple butter bursts with flavor and tastes like a delicious apple pie.  The satisfaction of using our homegrown apples can’t be beat!

 

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These make a great hostess gift or a nice surprise treat to share with a neighbor or friend. Hope you will give it a try.

 

 

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