Apple Butter

Apple butter cooking in the oven is such a heavenly smell...Fall is the time of year of apple bounty so if you have never made apple butter it is worth a try.
If you have your own apple tree you are all set or find a friend or neighbor with an over abundance. Just about any variety can work, I used early Gravensteins.
Try apple butter with cream cheese on a bagel or inside your favorite cinnamon rolls !!

Apple Butter- yield 5 to 6 cups

5 pounds of apple, about 20 medium size apples peeled, cored and sliced.
1 cup apple juice or water if needed
1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup white sugar
1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. ground allspice


Place the apples and liquid if needed in a large pot on the stove. Cook until soft. Be sure to stir them so they don't burn. They should take 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the size of your apple slices.

Preheat the oven to 325 F.
Allow the mixture to cool slightly. Then in batches puree the apples with the sugar and spices.


 

Transfer them into a large roasting or cake pan.

Stir occasionally  as the apple butter thickens, about 45 minutes.

At this point you may can the apple butter, freeze it or refrigerate ( it will last a month or so).
For canning use a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.