There’s a special kind of calm that settles over the homestead in late October — the mornings are crisp, the leaves crunch underfoot, and the air smells faintly of woodsmoke and apples. It’s the season for slowing down a little, bundling up, and letting something sweet and spiced simmer on the stove while the day hums along.
After a day of gathering apples from the local orchard, I love turning this harvest into something we can enjoy long after fall fades — homemade apple butter. It’s rich, smooth, and spiced just right, the kind of spread that makes even a simple piece of toast feel special.
Ingredients:
- 5 lbs apples (a mix of sweet and tart works best — think Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Jonathan)
- 1 cup apple cider or apple juice
- 2 cups brown sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional but lovely for depth)
Instructions:
- Prepare the apples: Peel, core, and slice the apples into chunks.
- Cook them down: Add apples and apple cider to a large pot or slow cooker. Simmer on low heat for about an hour, stirring occasionally, until apples are soft.
- Blend smooth: Use an immersion blender (or transfer carefully to a regular blender) to purée until smooth.
- Add the spices: Stir in sugar, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. Continue cooking on low for 2–3 more hours, stirring occasionally, until thickened and darkened in color.
- Finish it off: Stir in vanilla extract and let cool slightly.
- Store it: Spoon into sterilized jars and refrigerate for up to 3 months, or water-bath can for longer shelf life.
Homestead Tips:
- A mix of apple varieties gives the best flavor — some sweet, some tart.
- If you like it extra smooth, run the finished butter through a fine mesh sieve.
- Apple butter makes wonderful fall gifts — tie a little twine around the jar and add a handwritten label for that farmhouse touch.
As the evenings get cooler, a spoonful of this spiced apple butter feels like fall in a jar — perfect for spreading on toast, stirring into oatmeal, or pairing with warm biscuits straight from the oven. It’s one of those recipes that reminds me why I love this season — the warmth, the scent of apples simmering slow, and the feeling of home all around.