I like to buy Polaner All-Fruit or Smuckers Simply Fruit Spreads. They are pretty expensive, though. I think I pay about $3.50 for a 10 ounce jar. The alternative is to make an “all fruit” spread of some sort at home. The easiest of all is Apple Butter. There are two ways to make it. One starts with applesauce and the other starts with dried apples. I just happened to have a few bags of apples, bought for snacking, that no one was snacking on.
You can use them just as they come out of the bag, or you can snip them into smaller pieces with some kitchen shears. Place them into a large saucepan.
For every 4 ounces of apples, pour in 2 cups of unsweetened apple juice. I used 6 ounces of apples, so I poured in 3 cups of juice. Add some spices (cinnamon, allspice and cloves).
Now, heat to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook for 25 minutes.
After 25 minutes, pour the apple mixture into a blender and blend until smooth. If it’s too thick, and the blender isn’t blending, add a bit of water (up to 1/4 cup). Spoon into a jar or plastic container for storage in the fridge. It will last about 3 weeks.
This is a delicious jam substitute. All of my sweet loving youngsters like it despite it not having anything but fruit sugars in it.
1. Info for Homemade Apple Butter
- Cook Time: unavailable
- Total Time: unavailable
- Servings: unavailable
- Calories: unavailable
2. Ingredients for Homemade Apple Butter
- 4 ounces dried apples
- 2 cups unsweetened apple juice
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ⅛ tsp cloves
3. Directions:
- Boil all ingredients 25 minutes.
- Pour into a blender and blend until smooth, adding a little water if necessary.
- Store in the fridge up to 3 weeks.
4. Tips and advices:
- If you want, use unsweetened applesauce. Add the spices and simmer until it thickens to apple butter consistency. I have even made this with fresh apples, simply peel, core and cut up. Cook until soft and blend. Then return to a pan and continue to simmer until thick and spreadable. Stir every 15 minutes or so to prevent burning. It takes a few hours if you start with fresh fruit.