Last updated:
Apple season means bushels of apples! Unless you store your apples properly, they will go bad. For us, bad apples end up as deer bait for hunting season. Otherwise, it is apple pie, apple crisp and of course, applesauce and apple butter.
What I like about applesauce and apple butter is how easy they are to make and to CAN…if you can. I end up giving stuff away because I do not can. If you can it allows you to store the apple butter and applesauce for up to a year. I figure, these make great gifts so I just make and give. Moreover, a homemade version is always healthier.
Two yummy recipes that I enjoy for homemade applesauce and apple butter are below but I’d love for you to share you links to other recipes in the comment section below. I’m always willing to try new recipes!
Homemade Apple Sauce
- 8-9 medium apples
- 1.5 cups of water
- ½ cup of organic sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
Start by washing, peeling and coring your apples. Chop them into bite-sized chunks and add them to a large saucepan. Add the remaining ingredients.
The sugar is variable. Start by adding half of it, unless you’re dealing with tart apples. Taste your apple sauce and add more towards the end. The cinnamon and nutmeg is optional. If you like cinnamon or nutmeg in your applesauce, add it, if not, feel free to leave it out. Of course you can also use more or less according to taste.
Bring the apple mixture to a simmer and cook covered on medium heat until the apples are soft. This should take about 15 to 20 minutes depending on the size of your chunks and the apple variety.
Mash it into apple sauce with a potato masher, a fork, or an immersion blender.
Homemade Apple Butter
Apple butter cooks slow and low. The easiest way to prepare it is in the slow cooker. My favorite slow cookers are listed below. Here is what you need:
- 4 pounds of apples
- 3 cups of organic sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tsp nutmeg
- Pinch of ground cloves
- Pinch of salt
Start by peeling, coring and chopping your apples. Put them in the slow cooker. Mix the sugar, salt and spices and pour them over the apples. Put the lid on and cook the mixture on high for one hour. Turn the slow cooker to low and cook it an additional 10 hours. Stir it occasionally. Your apple butter is ready when it is brown and starts to thicken.
DELICIOUS apple recipes and I’d love for you to share your recipes in the comment section below! The more the merrier!