Apple Butter with Cinnamon and Cloves

Makes: 4 cups

Active: 40 min

Total: 5 hr 40 min

Ingredients:

4 lb (about 10) tart variety of apples, such as Stayman, Paula Red, or Winesap, peeled, cored, and quartered

3 lb (about 8-10) Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored, and quartered

1 Tbsp granulated sugar, or to taste

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground cloves

1/2 tsp kosher salt

Directions:

1. In a large pot over medium heat, add the apples. Cook, stirring occasionally, until very soft, about 90 minutes. 

2. Transfer the fruit and some of the cooking liquid to a food processor and process into a coarse sauce. Add back to the pot and cook, stirring often to prevent scorching, over medium-high heat, about 1 hour. Reduce heat and continue cooking  and stirring until the mixture is thick and dark chestnut in color, about 2 1/2 hours. Stir in sugar (more or less to taste, depending on the sweetness of the apples), spices, and salt. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. 

3. Remove pot from heat and spoon apple butter into clean, sterile jars. Cover tightly with lid and store in the refrigerator up to 1 month.