What is Apple Butter, and How Can You Use it?

Apple season is nearly here, and it's time to start thinking in advance: how many ways can you use apples? We'd say plenty.

What is Apple Butter?
Apple butter is essentially apples (diced, peeled, or pureed) that are slowly cooked with apple cider for a little over an hour. All this slow-cooking caramelizes the apples, leading to a jam-like consistency and its traditional sweet flavor. You should know that apple butter doesn't have any butter in it. Why is it called apple butter, then? Because of its smooth texture.
Is Apple Butter the same as Applesauce?
They are not the same, but they are very similar. You could also say that applesauce is more concentrated. Apple butter is cooked longer than applesauce, which causes more caramelization. This makes apple butter darker and gives it a sugary, nutty taste. The texture of apple butter is firmer, so it goes so great on toast: it's very easy to spread, unlike applesauce, which is more watery.

How Can You Use Apple Butter?
Apple butter is incredibly versatile and goes along with lots of things!

• Sandwich Spread: Use it as a spread! Experiment a little; rather than peanut butter and jelly, try apple butter and jelly. Be it hot or cold toast, apple butter is divine.

 

• Oatmeal: Want to give your oatmeal a nice apple-y, sugary flavor? Stir in some apple butter with some yogurt. Put raisins, seasonal fruits, some drizzled honey, and you're good to go!

 

• As A Pizza Sauce: For a sweeter pizza, use this as a base sauce and put in pecans, apples, blue cheese, and enjoy a renewed dessert.

 

• Pancakes and Waffles: Maple syrup is great, but replace it with apple butter if you're looking for a change. Want more? Put apple butter in the pancake mixture and enjoy Apple Butter Pancakes!

 

• Pumpkin Pie: Reinvent your pumpkin pie recipe. Swap pumpkin puree with apple butter and enjoy a non-traditional pumpkin pie.

 

• Cheese Board: If you fancy cheese boards, you can set out apple butter in a small jar along with soft cheeses (brie) and harder ones (aged gouda). Use it as a palate cleanser or a cheese dip, up to you!

 

• Burgers & Roasts: It's better than it sounds! Instead of ketchup, use apple butter for burgers. You can also apply this to roast chicken or pork during the last stages of cooking as a glaze.

 

• Roasted Vegetables: Not any veggies, of course. Winter veggies like sweet potatoes, squash, brussels sprouts, or pumpkins; roast veggies with some butter and smother them with apple butter glaze.

 

• Pound Cake: What are winters without pound cakes? Put in apple chunks in your cake batter; once baked, put on some apple butter on top as a glaze and decorate it with walnuts.

 
If you're wondering where to buy organic, homemade apple butter from, we've got you covered. At The Eclectic Chic Boutique, we have fresh, organic apple butter to make your winters warmer and bellies fuller. We're a leading Gift & Specialty Shops Essex  providing sauces, gourmet food, DIY Craft Kits for Adults, DIY craft kits online, women's clothing, specialty foods, and so much more.
Contact us today!