Apple Butter for Hand Pies

18 Ratings
  • 5 0
  • 4 5
  • 3 6
  • 2 6
  • 1 1

This flavorful spread is the perfect filling for our Apple-Butter Hand Pies and works beautifully on toast.

Martha Stewart Living, October 1996

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Recipe Summary

Yield:
Makes 2 cups
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Ingredients

Directions

  • Combine apples, apple cider, Calvados, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, mace, cloves, sugar, and lemon juice in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan. Place mixture over medium-high heat, and cook, stirring often with a large wooden spoon to prevent scorching, until apples are broken down and saucy, about 1 hour. Mash any large pieces of apple with large wooden spoon to help them break down.

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  • Reduce heat to medium. Using a rubber spatula, scrape out apple mixture from pan, and transfer to a small saucepan. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until apples are completely broken down and butter is very thick and dark, about 2 1/2 hours. Remove from the heat, and let stand to cool.

Cook's Notes

When stored in an airtight container, apple butter can be refrigerated for up to one month or frozen for up to six months.

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Reviews (4)

18 Ratings
  • 5 0
  • 4 5
  • 3 6
  • 2 6
  • 1 1
Martha Stewart Member
10/13/2010
I thought in reading the recipe that it would be very adaptable. I used both apples and pears for my fruit butter. Towards the last hour I felt it needed a boost. I added about 1/4 cup of dark brown sugar. It didn't make the recipe too sweet. This will definitely be my go-to recipe. It's easy and delicious. But you do want to have time to tend to it.
Martha Stewart Member
11/06/2008
I use a crock pot to simmer all my "butters" this recipe has too many ingredients for apple butter. guess its the "high dollar apple butter" I just cut out the things i wouldnt use anymore with any other recipes..cardomon and mace. whatever you have for spices is fine. i also use "al spice" in place of one. do your own tasting and see what you like.
Martha Stewart Member
06/26/2008
There is another Recipe listed for apple butter and that is the one that they used on the show with Chevy Chase. It doesn't require sugar. When you type Apple Butter into the search and the options come up its the first recipe for apple butter.
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Martha Stewart Member
06/25/2008
on the show it said to bake the butter - this recipe says to cook on the stovetop - which one is correct?
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