Spirited Apple Butter Recipes

SPIRITED APPLE BUTTER

Steps:

• Heat juice concentrate, wine and apples to boiling in 4-quart Dutch oven; reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered about 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until apples are very soft. Mash with potato masher if necessary, to remove all lumps.
• Stir in remaining ingredients. Heat to boiling; reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered about 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until no liquid separates from pulp.
• Immediately pour into hot, sterilized jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace. Wipe rims of jars; seal. Cool on wire rack 1 hour. Store in refrigerator up to 2 months.

APPLE BUTTER RECIPE

Steps:

• Combine Honeycrisp apples, Granny Smith apples, and apple cider in a large stainless steel or enamel-coated saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer until mixture reduces by about half, about 20 minutes.
• Stir sugar and lemon juice into the apple mixture; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and continue cooking at a simmer until the mixture is very thick, about 25 minutes.
• Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack apple butter into the hot, sterilized jars, filling the jars to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a knife or a thin spatula around the insides of the jars after they have been filled to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids and screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil and lower jars into the boiling water using a holder. Leave a 2-inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary to bring the water level to at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a rolling boil, cover the pot, and process for 10 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool. Once cool, press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all). Store in a cool, dark area.

SPIRITED APPLE BUTTER

Steps:

• Bring all ingredients to a boil, reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer about 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
• When apples are soft, use hand blender to blend and remove all lumps. Bring to a boil again, then reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered an additional 2 hours.

SPIRITED HOT APPLE CIDER

Steps:

• Using vegetable peeler, remove peel (orange part only) in strips from orange. Melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add peel, sugar, 3 cinnamon sticks, allspice and cloves; stir 1 minute. Add cider; bring to simmer. Reduce heat to low; simmer 15 minutes. Mix in rum and applejack. Strain into mugs. Garnish with additional cinnamon sticks, if desired.