take heart

October 05 2009 by Kristin at The Kitchen Sink in Uncategorized » 20 comments

As it turned out, my weekend wasn’t dusted in flour, as I’d hoped it would be. Instead, it was littered with work. I won’t try to sugar coat it: it was exhausting. It wasn’t leisurely and photo-filled. There were no leaf peeping excursions or apple-picking missions. There was a brief breeze through the farmers’ market, but only on the tail end of a Sunday morning jog.

But take heart.

Because the work was from home, rather than the office, which afforded me the opportunity to set a deep pot full of apple chunks, along with a splash of cider and calvados and a cinnamon stick, over a low flame; it cooked gently, while I worked. This, of course, produced a warm, spicy scent that wrapped itself around me, nearly making up for the whole working-weeking business. It also allowed the apples to yield slowly against the heat, breaking down and going soft enough to mash at the slightest nudge of a wooden spoon.

After a zip in the food processor, I added a pinch of cinnamon and a palmful of brown sugar to the puree and let it sit again over that low flame. This time, it continued to throw off its autumnal perfume, but it also grew thick and lush and took on a deep redish-brown hue. In an hour or so, it was apple butter.

Now that the dust has started to settle at work, I’ve got this lovely little pot of apple butter and I’m day-dreaming about all the ways to use it. I think it would be the perfect foil to a sharp cheddar biscuit or lining the insides of a grilled cheese sandwich. Come morning, I’d like to swirl a spoonful into my oatmeal or yogurt. It’d be great simply slathered on a slice of multigrain toast, too. And I’d be lying if I said I didn’t try a spoonful of it straight up this weekend. But you know what? I earned it.

Apple Butter

4 pounds apples, peeled, cored and cut in wedges
juice of 1 lemon
1 cup apple cider
1/4 cup calvados
1 cinnamon stick
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
pinch cloves
pinch salt

Combine the apples, lemon juice, cider, calvados and cinnamon stick in a large, heavy pot. Set the pot over low heat, allowing the mixture to come to a gentle simmer. Simmer for an hour, until the apples are very soft. Carefully remove and discard the cinnamon stick.

When the apples have cooled slightly, pulse them briefly in a food processor to your desired consistency. Return the puree to the stove and re-heat over low heat. Stir in the remaining ingredients and cook for another hour or so, until the mixture is very thick.

Serve warm or at room temperature. Store in an airtight container in the refridgerator.

20 comments so far. »
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Half Assed Kitchen says on October 05 2009 at 9:32 pm:

Oh, those photos just make me happy.
Sara says on October 05 2009 at 9:50 pm:

Oh, I can almost smell it! What type of apples did you use?
Heidi says on October 06 2009 at 6:07 am:

How long does this keep? It would be great to give to family and friends at Thanksgiving!
Whitney says on October 06 2009 at 7:02 am:

I love Seedling’s apple butter but I never thought to make my own. Good Call.

Sorry you had a work filled weekend
Kristin at The Kitchen Sink says on October 06 2009 at 7:34 am:

Half Assed Kitchen: Well that, in turn, makes me happy! Thanks.

Sara: I used mostly Pink Ladies, with a couple Granny Smiths thrown in for tartness. I think pretty much anything would work, but I’d recommend at least one or two Granny Smiths (or another tart variety).

Heidi: This is my first batch using this recipe, so I can’t say for sure. Other recipes, such as this Martha Stewart recipe that calls for similar ingredients, say that the butter can be stored in the fridge for a month or the freezer for 6 months. What a lovely idea, by the way. I’m so ready to start thinking Thanksgiving.

Whitney: I haven’t tried that, though I do wish I’d had Seedling cider on hand for this recipe. I’ll have to check it out this weekend.
Dolce says on October 06 2009 at 8:53 am:

It’s applesauce time of the year But applebutter, great, I did not have a recipe for it and it sounds yummy!!
Tabitha (From Single to Married) says on October 06 2009 at 8:57 am:

I’ve had weeks like that too – here’s hoping this one is better for you!

ps – love the recipe for apple butter, it’s one of my favorites!
Kristen @ frostingandfroth.com says on October 06 2009 at 8:58 am:

I love apple butter, but would never have thought to attempt making it myself. This post makes the task seem enticing and wonderfully aromatic. I’m in!
Barbara says on October 06 2009 at 10:59 am:

I bet the fragrance made the work go faster! I love applesauce, but have never made apple butter. Think I will try now you have encouraged me. I’m not appled out yet!
Chiara says on October 06 2009 at 11:20 am:

Mmm… I’ll have to buy some apples and make this over the weekend, it sounds like the perfect breakfast food!
Hannah says on October 06 2009 at 7:00 pm:

These photos are so lovely! Apple butter is one of my favorite things, but I’ve never made it. I think that needs to change.
DishinAndDishes says on October 06 2009 at 8:02 pm:

This looks so yummy. Fall just begs for apples and cinnamon. I just posted a Crock Pot Mulled Cider recipe as well. Funny – I’ve never known Apple Butter doesn’t contain ANY butter at all!
maggie says on October 06 2009 at 8:18 pm:

This is beautiful stuff! Love apple butter on cornbread and a dollop on oatmeal.
Devon says on October 08 2009 at 10:49 am:

I’ll second Maggie on the cornbread and oatmeal. I haven’t had apple butter since I was a kid. With a picking planned for next week, I’ll have to keep this recipe on file.
Kasey says on October 08 2009 at 1:13 pm:

I have made a lot of applesauce, but never apple butter. As I unbury myself from mounds of work, I think I’m going to have to give this a whirl, too.
Geralyn says on October 10 2009 at 1:38 pm:

We finally had a strong cold front move in down here in Texas and I now have this cooking on the stove and the windows open! It smells so good and makes me feel like we aren’t missing fall after all, at least not today!
Kristin at The Kitchen Sink says on October 10 2009 at 1:45 pm:

Geralyn: Sounds like a lovely afternoon! Hope you enjoy it! Happy fall to you.
Jessie says on October 26 2009 at 5:41 pm:

I just love those recipes that perfume your entire house (or in my case, the entire dorm). I want to make this, but I’m not sure I’d be able to refrain from eating it once it hit the applesauce stage; I love homemade applesauce so much!
jenn air grills says on December 14 2009 at 9:55 am:

This looks like an absolutely tremendously tasty recipe. I’m printing and trying this out this weekend. I’ll report back with findings
Erica says on January 20 2010 at 3:29 pm:

this recipe makes some of the best apple butter i’ve ever tasted!