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Belle (right) and Daisy. Belle is Glory Bee’s last calf; Daisy is a newcomer. Both of these heifers are awaiting the births of their first calves, hopefully late fall or early winter. I can’t wait for milk again!
Today’s accomplishment–17 half-pints of apple butter. And I’m just getting started. It’s apple butter season! I have an order for 30 half-pints of apple butter to get out in a couple of weeks, so I’m working on that, plus I need to up my stock before the holidays when it’s a popular item in my Etsy shop. And I need some extra to tuck back for me, too. I’ll be making apple butter for the next couple of weekends.
You can buy some apple butter from me (you can find it here)–but you can make it yourself! I’ve been sharing my recipe for apple butter for years, and I thought now was a good time to share it again after something my customer (the one who ordered the 30 jars) mentioned to me. She had bought a jar of apple butter, to sample, from another shop. (Not mine!) This was previous to her coming to my shop. Since she was planning to order a large quantity that she is giving out at an event, she ordered a jar first to try it out. She was quite distressed with what she received. She said the jar wasn’t filled anywhere close to the top, it was overly sweet, there were apple peels throughout the apple butter, and there was even rust on the jars. (Yikes!) After that experience, she came to my shop. Happily, after she had ordered a jar from me to sample, she was thrilled with it and came back to order 30 more for her event.
I have no idea who she ordered the other jar of apple butter from. I’m just glad I passed the test with mine! But it did make me think of posting about the marvelous, magical Squeezo again. Don’t make the mistake of apple peels in your apple butter! Nobody likes that! Whether you’re making it for yourself, for gifts, or selling it (what? stop that! ha), make it easy–and right. Use a Squeezo!
This is the Squeezo that I have. It’ll make short work of a box of apples!
If you’ve never heard of the fabulous Squeezo, it is the best food strainer ever invented. I have a Squeezo tutorial here.
And here is my tried and true apple butter recipe. This recipe is written per quart so that you can multiply it by however many quarts of sauce you have available. (You make the sauce using the Squeezo.)
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How to make Apple Butter:
Per quart applesauce–
1 to 2 cups sugar*
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon cloves
*Adjust amount of sugar to suit your taste. Start with the lower amount and see how you like it. I really don’t like my apple butter to be super sweet, but that’s me. Remember that as you cook it down, the flavors will intensify, which is another good reason to start on the low end with the sugar.
I simmer my apple butter in big crock pots. Whatever you’re using, combine the applesauce, sugar, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves in the pot and mix well. Simmer for several hours, stirring occasionally. I often simmer ALL day to get to the thickness I prefer. (Sometimes into a second day!) Side benefit: your house smells awesome while you’re doing this.
Process pints or half-pints in a boiling water bath 10 minutes. And fill those jars up–you don’t need to leave more than 1/2-inch headspace. (I use a steam canner.)
Happy apple butter season!
Posted by Suzanne McMinn | PermalinkAugust 19, 2019 - The Perfect Off-to-College Gift!
Your kids off to college? Mine are! This is the first year Ross, Weston, and Morgan are all three in Morgantown at WVU at the same time. I’m looking forward to visiting them there and hearing all about their experiences. Meanwhile, I’ve got the perfect gift for the special college kid in your life!
It’s the Treat of the Month Club! College … Continued…
August 14, 2019 - The Next Batch
The chicken tractor wasn’t lonely for long! This new batch of meat chicks will be ready to butcher in late October.
August 13, 2019 - Late Summer in the Shop
Pictured: Apple Fritter Bread. You can find it at my Etsy shop!
It’s still summer, but as the days grow closer to September, while I’m still picking tomatoes and excited about fresh corn, I feel the twinges of readiness for apples and pumpkins and crackling leaves. You? At this time of year, as the season changes and the holidays are around the … Continued…
August 13, 2019 - Cranberry Orange Pecan Muffins
August 12, 2019 - Morning, with Meat Chickens
Meat chickens, making peace with their fate on their last morning.
PLEASE NOTE: Chickens were harmed in the making of this post. If you’re not comfortable seeing photos and descriptions of where chicken comes from, please don’t continue. This post is for those who are interested in learning more about the chicken butchering process–whether you’re simply curious or planning to grow your own chicken in … Continued…
August 4, 2019 - What To Do with Lots of Basil
Freezer flavor bombs!
My basil is overflowing this year! I use fresh basil in daily meals, and I’ve dehydrated a lot of basil to use over the winter, and then there’s pesto. It’s a great way to use up a lot of fresh basil and store it in handy little cups to drop into…..
Rice
Potatoes
Soups and stews
Dressings
Sauces
Meats
For meats–I mix it in ground beef before making hamburgers. … Continued…
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"It was a cold wintry day when I brought my children to live in rural West Virginia. The farmhouse was one hundred years old, there was already snow on the ground, and the heat was sparse-—as was the insulation. The floors weren’t even, either. My then-twelve-year-old son walked in the door and said, “You’ve brought us to this slanted little house to die." Keep reading our story....
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