It is apple season and there is so many things to be made, but first on my list…Vanilla Bean Apple Butter! Apple butter is a must have pantry item because it creamy, fruity and full of spices that can spread over toast, bagels, or mixed into your favorite yogurt parfait. 
Vanilla Bean Apple Butter is going to take you straight into fall, grab a bag of your favorite apples (I love honey crisp) and let's get started. Although this is not a super quick recipe, the wait is definitely worth it and the smell in your house will be amazing.
The process of Vanilla Bean Apple Butter starts very similar to a classic apple sauce, the difference is the cooking time. Starting with your apples diced, apple cider and vanilla bean, this will boil until the apples are soft and can easily be mashed. At this point you will add them to your blender and you will have the consistency of apple sauce. Return the apple sauce to the pan, add in honey and all of your spices to simmer for 1-2 hours. While the apples are simmering you will start to see the sauce start to thicken and become a more caramelized color and super smooth and creamy. This is when you know the Apple Butter is finished. If you want to properly jar your apple butter, follow this link (great site to learn all about canning)!
Vanilla Bean Apple Butter
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
- 3lbs apples, peeled and diced
- 3 cups apple cider
- 1 vanilla bean
- 1 cup honey
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ginger
- ¼ tsp cloves
Instructions
- Peel and dice apples and put in pot with apple cider and vanilla bean
- let the apples boil and soften for 30-40 minutes
- blend apple and cider in blender until smooth and strain
- put all ingredients back into pot and with honey and spices
- lower heat to medium and let cook for 1-2 hours
- consistency will be very thick and smooth
- put into jars and follow canning instructions from website above
Notes
optional flavors
- replace honey with maple syrup
- replace vanilla bean with rosemary sprigs
teri says
I'll be making this for when my girls come home from college...they will be SO EXCITED to have it!
kristen massad says
That will be a great treat for them...you can use it throughout the holidays!! The apple butter would be great with some of your savory dishes as well, Enjoy