About this Easy Homemade Apple Butter recipe
This year, we’re lucky that the Paradise Apple tree in our garden, is yielding an abundance of sweet and delightful apples. Typically, I make apple sauce and apple butter once a year using store-bought Bramley apples, Fujis, Granny Smiths, Honeycrisps, or Galas, and then store them in the freezer. However, for a change, I decided to make no-peel apple butter using our homegrown apples. This recipe comes together quickly with just a handful of ingredients in my Instant Pot Pressure Cooker. The Instant Pot helps reduce the cooking time through pressure cooking, and there’s no need for constant attention. It’s definitely quicker than a crockpot, and your homemade apple condiment will be ready in just under an hour.
Apple Sauce Vs Apple Butter
Apple butter is an intensely concentrated version of apple sauce, achieved by prolonged cooking. The extended cooking duration leaves a caramelised hue and richness to the apple sauce. Despite the name, apple butter contains no real butter; instead, it has got its name due to the velvety, smooth, and buttery texture it exhibits. On the other hand, apple sauce(popular in the UK) undergoes a brief cooking process, cooking until the apples have softened and then gently processed until achieving a smooth or chunky consistency. It maintains a lighter colour and has a more sauce-like texture.
Ingredients
Apples: Any apple variety such as Bramley apples, Fujis, Granny Smiths, Honeycrisps or Gala Apples is suitable for making apple butter. For a sweeter apple butter, consider using Gala apples. Spices: Ground Cinnamon and Ground Nutmeg are both included in the recipe. Vanilla: One tablespoon of vanilla bean paste is used, but you can also substitute an equal amount of Vanilla extract if preferred. Water/Apple Juice: Either option works well; I’ve incorporated just ½ cup of water, which is sufficient for the Instant Pot cooking process. Juice of 1 lemon Sugar (optional): If the apples are tart, consider adding around 1 cup of dark brown sugar. You can also use granulated white sugar, but keep in mind that it may affect the colour of the apple butter
Flavour Variations
While most apple butter is plain or flavoured with cinnamon and nutmeg, there are numerous options to infuse your apple butter with exciting flavours:
Tips to make the Best Instant Pot Apple Butter
Minimise Waste: Utilise every part of the apple, including the peels, in this no-waste recipe. Watch the Thickness: Remember that apple butter thickens as it cools. Aim to cook it down to a slightly looser consistency than your desired end result. Crisp Apples Preferred: Opt for crisp apple varieties over softer ones for the best results.
Serving Suggestions
Apple butter is perfect on toast, in oatmeal, in chia pudding or a smoothie. Spoon over ice cream or waffles. You can elevate yogurt, enhance desserts, or pair with cheese. It’s an apple chutney alternative if you prefer a slightly tart experience. There are endless ways to enjoy this flavourful spread!
How to store Apple Butter
In the fridge: To store your apple butter, choose a mason jar or an airtight plastic container. It’ll maintain its quality in the fridge for about two weeks. Since this apple butter contains no added or less sugar, it has a shorter shelf life than the ones with sugar. For instance our Instant Pot strawberry jam. In the freezer: Alternatively, you can freeze it in small portions. It will keep well through the year.
Frequently asked questions
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