Homemade Apple Butter

By Rick Martinez

Apple butter is basically applesauce that’s gone the distance: Cook apples until soft, purée them, then keep cooking to concentrate the mixture into a dark, velvety, intensely fruity spread. It’s that spreadable texture that gives apple butter its name—no actual butter involved. For the best apple butter, use a mix of sweet and tart apples, such as Granny Smith, Fuji, McIntosh, Honeycrisp, or Golden Delicious.