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Healthy Apple Butter Recipe

Healthy Apple Butter Recipe
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★★★★★

4.8 from 30 reviews

This Healthy Apple Butter recipe offers a naturally sweet, spiced spread made from slow-cooked apples with warm cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and a hint of vanilla. It’s a wholesome, preservative-free alternative perfect for toast, oatmeal, or adding a rich apple flavor to your dishes.

Ingredients

Scale

Apples

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

Liquids & Flavoring

  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (or water)
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Spices & Seasoning

  • 1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Pinch of sea salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare the apples: Core and slice the apples without peeling them to preserve flavor and nutrients. Place them into a large slow cooker or crock-pot.
  2. Add liquids and spices: Pour in the apple cider vinegar or water and sprinkle all the spices along with sea salt over the apples. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
  3. Slow cook the apples: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 5-6 hours. The apples will soften, darken, and release their natural juices, creating a fragrant base.
  4. Puree the mixture: Turn off the slow cooker. Use an immersion blender to puree the apples until smooth. Alternatively, carefully transfer the mixture to a blender and blend until fully smooth.
  5. Thicken the apple butter: Set the slow cooker to high and cook the pureed apple mixture uncovered for 1-2 hours. This step thickens the apple butter and enhances its caramelized flavor.
  6. Cool and store: Once the desired consistency is achieved, turn off the slow cooker and let the apple butter cool for 30 minutes. Transfer it to airtight containers and let it cool completely before refrigerating. The apple butter can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 weeks or frozen for up to a year.

Notes

  • Do not peel the apples; the skins add flavor, color, and nutrients.
  • Use sweet apple varieties like Gala or Honeycrisp for natural sweetness.
  • Adjust spices according to your taste preference.
  • Slow cooking time may vary slightly depending on your slow cooker model.
  • Ensure the apple butter cools completely before sealing containers to prevent condensation and spoilage.
  • Store homemade apple butter in sterilized jars for longer shelf life.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple butter, healthy apple butter, slow cooker apple butter, homemade apple butter, apple spread, cinnamon apple butter, natural apple butter

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