Hostess Gifts: Brandied Apple Butter

Last month I made Pumpkin Butter and got the “butter bug”.  When I saw the Brandied Apple Butter recipe over at Wife Meets Life, I knew it had to be the next fruit butter recipe that I make.  And what a wonderful hostess gift, as well as Christmas gift, to give this holiday season!  I stayed almost exact to Alison’s recipe except I added a bit of ground cloves to the recipe since I always love that spice when combined with apples!

Brandied Apple Butter — from Wife Meets Life

• 5 lbs apples, peeled and cored
• 1 1/2 cup apple juice
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground cardamom
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cup brandy

Chop the peeled apples into 1 inch cubes and place in a dutch oven or deep pot.

Add the apple juice and bring to a boil.  Then lower the heat and let simmer for about 25 minutes, or until the apples are soft and resemble apple sauce.

Use an immersion blender to puree the apples in the pot until the consistency is smooth (but not runny).

Add the sugar and spices and bring to a boil.  Turn down the heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the brandy and simmer for another 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the apple butter is a dark, rich color and the consistency is smooth and thick.

Jar and give as gifts.  For hot water bath instructions, visit Wife Meets Life.