Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Noting Grace

Home
Family, Parenting and Religion
Last minute gift idea: Homemade Apple Butter

Last minute gift idea: Homemade Apple Butter

Last updated on: December 16, 2016 at 1:17 pm by Jennifer Fancher

Last minute gift idea: Homemade Apple Butter 2016-12-16T13:17:15-05:00 Jennifer Fancher

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Christmas is almost here and are you like me – still scrambling for gift ideas, but your Christmas budget is running out? Here is a great last minute gift idea that you can make in one day and your house will smell amazing!

My husband has a thing for Apple Butter. He’s kind of an apple butter snob. Before we moved to our Almost Farmhouse, we struggled to find good southern Apple Butter while we lived in Vegas. Family would sneak it in their suitcases like contraband and every box from home would usually have a jar for him.

One Christmas, a friend gave us a jar of his mother’s homemade apple butter and we graciously accepted it, but I could see the scrutiny on Trent’s face. As soon as we get home, a piece of toast was made for the judge.

The jar opened.

The sniff test happened.

Then came the tasting. Trent’s reaction was much like that of Julie Andrews twirling around on the Swiss Alps from the Sound of Music. His mind was blown and he immediately got the recipe from his friend.

Now let’s fast forward three years and guess who’s finally making the recipe for him. Yeah, wife fail, but with good reason. We knew we were moving back to the south, so the store bought stuff would be readily available. Plus I’m canning shy.

More like canning afraid.

For the past few years, I’ve dreamed of becoming an off the grid homesteader, feeding my family on homegrown food, but the canning process terrifies me. And I have yet to plant one thing! Call me crazy, but messing up something where you can get a brain eating parasitic infection has held me back from trying canning foods.

When I read Sarah’s article from Autostraddle about canning and how Apple Butter was the perfect starter recipe for any canning novice, I saw the clouds part and off I went to get my supplies. Her article gives wonderful tips on canning methods and how to keep your food safe and I was no longer afraid to give it a try.

Once Trent smelled the apple butter cooking, he asked me to marry him all over again.

I was so amazed at how easy this whole process was that I wish I would have started canning sooner! If you are struggling for last minute gifts, and only have a day or two – this is a must try!

Let’s start with the Recipe:

Easy Homemade Apple Butter

6 cups unsweetened apple sauce
1 TBSP cinnamoon
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/2 tsp ground cloves
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup apple cider
1 1/2 cup white sugar
1 1/2 cup brown sugar (not packed)

Mix all the ingredients in a large sauce pan and adjust to your tastes. Bring to a boil, then let simmer on low heat for 4 – 6 hours. Stir VERY often as it will begin to stick to the bottom.

To verify completion, drop a spoonful on a saucer and see if liquid forms around the border. Moisture equals more simmer time.

Water Bath Canning: Place clean jars and lids into the water to boil. Boil for 10 minutes and leave them in water until you’re ready to fill the jars with apple butter. Once filled, return the jars to boil for an additional 10 minutes. The lids will pop to signify a proper seal. Let sit overnight to rest.

For my first time making this recipe, here’s what I noticed. The Apple Butter will reduce – a lot! My batch reduced about 1 1/2 inches during the simmering process. Check the moisture ring often. I thought the apple butter was done at 6 hours, but it needed about another hour to remove that liquid border.

Since I am a green, canning newbie – please refer to canning tutorials to get you started. I hope to practice a few more time before showing you any canning tips. Referring to Sarah’s article helped me out quite a bit.

I started my batch at 9:00 am, filled and finished my jars by about 4:30 or 5:00. You have to let them rest overnight, and I had them wrapped by the next morning. For this batch, I doubled the recipe and it made 12 half-pint jars and one pint sized jar. So, so simple, my friends!

Hope this helps you with last minute ideas that are quick, easy and budget friendly! Let me know how your batch turns out!

I love to hear from y’all and your comments make my day! To leave me a note, scroll to the bottom of this post.

I share with these wonderful people. This post contains affiliate links.

While I may receive a small compensation, all prices remain the same for you!

Wood Watches For Women

Previous Post

December 11, 2016

Christmas Home Tour {2016} Homes for the Holidays

Next Post

December 23, 2016 A very personal gift one military son gave his mother

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category $$ Saving Tips Beauty in the Blemishes Blog Boys Room Christmas Cozy Dining Room Dining Room Table DIYs for $25 DIYs to Try Encouragement Family Room Farmhouse Faux Fireplace Furniture makeover Grace Grace Notes Hardwood Floors Heirloom Home tour I DIYed that Instagram Kitchen Master Painted signs Pallet Parenting Recipes Review Rockin' the Roundup Selling Your Home Series Spring Sweet Tea Ambassador That Time I the Almost Farmhouse the Vegas House Tutorial Uncategorized wreath

Select a Month July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 June 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 November 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 August 2011 May 2010 March 2010 January 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who played instruments in Temple?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Prophets Levites Priests Kings