Makes: 2 x 500 ml jars
A simple apple butter you can use as a spread or as a filling in all your bakes: muffins, buns and biscuits. Top your ice cream with a dollop of apple butter to change the flavour or serve it with the pancakes. Anything goes!
1.5 kg apples, peeled and cored, chopped roughly (choose Red Delicious, Mcintosh or Gala)
50 ml cider vinegar
3/4 cup (180 ml) light brown sugar (for vegan - check for V sign)
1 Tbsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
pinch of salt
1/2 lemon, juice only
1. Place all the ingredients apart from lemon juice in a large heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat and cook for about 30 mins stirring occasionally until apples become very soft.
2. Blend with a hand-held blender to puree.
3. Return to the stove and cook further for up to 1 hr uncovered until the mixture becomes thick, velvety and deep brown in colour.
4. Stir in the lemon juice.
5. Transfer to sterilised jars, fit the lid on and keep refrigerated.