Bourbon Apple Butter

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Sweet and spiced apple butter gets a kick from smooth bourbon mixed in!

A glass jar filled with brown apple butter on a yellow background with yellow, red, and green ornaments on it.

It seems like we’ve had an abundance of apples lately.  This often happens in the fall because apples are so cheap.

My husband bought a bag of them at the store, I bought several at another store, and then we picked some up at the local farm stand.  While we enjoy apples there were just too many to eat before they went bad.

I started looking around for recipes I could make that would use up a good amount of the apples.  I looked through recipes for apple bread, apple crisp, and apple pie.  I love all three and was ready to pick one for dessert when a recipe for Bourbon Apple Butter caught my eye.

A pot filled with chopped apples covered in cinnamon sitting on a red plaid background.

I love apple butter because it’s so good on toast, muffins, or just about any other bread product.  While I’m usually a butter girl sometimes I like to add a bit of sweetness to my breads and this is the perfect way to do it.

This recipe is super easy to make as it only has a few ingredients.

Ingredients:

  • apples
  • brown sugar
  • cinnamon
  • nutmeg
  • salt
  • bourbon

Everything but the bourbon goes into a pot on the stove and is simmered until the apples are soft and fragrant.   Then you can either use an immersion blender or food processor and process until the apples turn into a smooth butter.  Next the apple butter is returned to the pan along with the bourbon and it’s cooked down until thick.

Pin Image:  A glass jar filled with brown apple butter on a yellow background with yellow, red, and green ornaments on it, text overlay, a cutting board with a cup of flour, an apple, a measuring cup of cugar, a stick of butter, and a container of cinnamon on it.

The smell of this apple butter is like fall and we could smell it in several rooms of the house.  I couldn’t wait for it to cool so I had a bite of it as soon as it was ready and it was amazing.

Can I leave out the bourbon?

Yes, you do not have to add the bourbon to this recipe.   Simply leave it out and the mixture will be fine.

Can I can the apple butter for later?

You are able to can this in a boiling water canner. Fill half pint jars with the apple butter leaving half inch headspace on the top.  Cover with lids and screwbands and place in a boiling water canner with a lid for 15 minutes.  Remove the jars and cool for 24 hours.   Check the seals and store for up to one year.

Can I add additional spices?

You can use any spices you’d like in the recipe.   Cloves, cardamom, or anise would be fun additions!

Can I use a different fruit?

If you have an abundance of pears you can use half apples and half pears in this recipe instead of just apples.  You can actually make this recipe with all pears as well if you want pear butter.

Apples and spices and brown sugar mixed together with just a hint of bourbon.  It was absolute perfection!

This apple butter would make a great holiday gift or could add something special to your holiday table.  Give it a try today!

More Apple Recipes:

A pot filled with brown apple butter sitting on a red plaid background

If you’ve tried my Bourbon Apple Butter or any other recipe on Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. I love hearing from you! You can FOLLOW ME on:

A glass jar filled with brown apple butter on a yellow background with yellow, red, and green ornaments on it.

Bourbon Apple Butter

Sweet and spiced apple butter gets a kick from smooth bourbon mixed in!
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Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 6 cups
Calories: 87kcal
Author: Hezzi-D

Ingredients

  • 5 pounds apples peeled and diced
  • 3/4 c. browns sugar packed
  • 1 Tablespoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 c. bourbon

Instructions

  • In a large stockpot combine the apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  • Cook over medium heat for 20-30 minutes, stirring frequently, or until the apples have softened.
  • Using an immersion blender or a food processor blend the apple butter until smooth.
  • Return the apple butter to the pot and add in the bourbon. Cook for an addition 20-30 minutes over medium heat, stirring every few minutes.
  • Once the apple butter has thickened remove from heat.
  • Transfer the apple butter to heat proof containers and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Notes

Recipe adapted from Goodie Godmother

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 87kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Sodium: 45mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 16g

A top view of a glass jar filled with brown pple butter on a yellow background with yellow, green, and red ornaments on it.

Welcome to Farmers Market Week! This is the week we celebrate all things found at the Farmers Market. There are over fifteen bloggers sharing over 50 recipes this week. From drinks and desserts to entrees and sides, there’s something for everyone this week.

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8 Comments

  1. I am going to make this for all my husband’s guy friends. They will love this! They meet for bourbon every Wednesday night.

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