How to Make Kentucky Apple Butter - A Step-by-Step Guide

One of the iconic flavors of Kentucky, apple butter is a sweet and spicy spread made from apples, sugar, and a blend of warm spices. Its origins can be traced back to early American colonial times, when it was a way to preserve surplus apples for the long winters. The process of making apple butter involves slow-cooking apples with sugar and spices until the mixture becomes dark and thick, with a rich, caramelized flavor.

While apple butter is a popular condiment in many parts of the U...

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Ingredients

  • 5 pounds McIntosh apples, chopped
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup butter
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 3 (1 pint) canning jars with lids and rings, or as needed

Information

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 2 hrs 5 mins
  • Additional Time: 35 mins
  • Total Time: 2 hrs 55 mins
  • Servings: 45
  • Yield: 45 servings

  • Place apples in a large pot and cover with water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer, stirring occasionally, until apples are softened, 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
  • Press apples through a food mill to separate seeds, cores, and skin from apple pulp and transfer pulp to a bowl. Stir white sugar, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg into apples. Pour apple mixture into a 9x13-inch baking pan.
  • Bake in the preheated oven, stirring and scraping sides every 20 to 30 minutes, until apple butter is red and thickened, 2 to 4 hours.
  • 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 30 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.
  • Nutrition

    66 cal.

    • Total Fat: 1g
    • Saturated Fat: 1g
    • Cholesterol: 3mg
    • Sodium: 9mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 15g
    • Dietary Fiber: 1g
    • Total Sugars: 13g
    • Protein: 0g
    • Vitamin C: 2mg
    • Calcium: 8mg
    • Iron: 0mg
    • Potassium: 60mg