## Winter Spiced Apple Butter: A Comforting homemade Treat
### Introduction
Welcome the winter with your homemade Winter Spiced Apple Butter. This simple yet truly delightful recipe is a unique blend of sweet spiced apples that create a heartwarming aroma in your kitchen. It’s the perfect spread for your morning toast and can also add a sweet yet spicy twist to your classic holiday recipes.
### Why Make This Recipe
Making your own Winter Spiced Apple Butter is more than just about the food; it’s about the experience. The joy in peeling and coring the apples, the scent of spices filling the air, and the satisfaction of making something comforting from scratch is unparalleled. Besides, homemade apple butter is devoid of any preservatives and can be customized as per your taste preference.
### How to Make Winter Spiced Apple Butter
#### Ingredients:
– 6 large apples (A mix of sweet and tart varieties)
– 1 cup apple cider
– 3/4 cup granulated sugar
– 1/2 cup brown sugar
– 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
– 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
– 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
– 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
#### Directions:
1. In a large pot, add chopped apples and apple cider. Heat it over medium flame for about 20 minutes till the apples soften.
2. Use an immersion blender to blend the apples till they are smooth. If you do not have an immersion blender, transfer the apples to a blender and blend.
3. Add granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice to the pureed apples in the pot.
4. Cook the mixture over low heat, keep stirring till it becomes thick. This process would take approximately 50 minutes.
5. Add in the vanilla extract and salt and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
6. Once the apple butter becomes thick, let it cool. Store in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
### How to Serve Winter Spiced Apple Butter
Winter Spiced Apple Butter can be served in many ways. You can spread it on toast or use it as a filling for your pies or tarts. You can even incorporate it into your festive holiday recipes to add that sweet-spicy twist.
### How to Store Winter Spiced Apple Butter
Store the apple butter in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator. As it does not contain any preservatives, its shelf life can last up to a few weeks when properly stored.
### Tips to Make Winter Spiced Apple Butter
To get an even richer flavor, you can roast the apples before cooking them. Also, ensure to keep stirring the mixture while it’s cooking to avoid any lumps.
### Variation (if any)
To add a different flavor, try adding a teaspoon of ginger to the recipe, or perhaps a splash of maple syrup.
### FAQs
1. **What types of apples are best for making apple butter?**
A mixture of sweet and tart apples like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp is perfect for apple butter.
2. **Can I freeze the Winter Spiced Apple Butter?**
Yes, apple butter can be frozen in appropriate freezer-safe containers and enjoyed beyond the few weeks it would last in the refrigerator.
3. **Is apple butter similar to apple jam?**
Both apple butter and apple jam are made with apples and sugar. However, apple butter is cooked longer and has a thicker consistency and a more concentrated apple flavor.
Enjoy the sweet and spicy flavors of winter with this homemade Winter Spiced Apple Butter, and make your mornings and evening snacks delightful.
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