Apple Butter Carmel Spice Homemade

By Floridaberry

Ingredients

• Makes 6 (1/2 pint jars)
• 6 lbs tart cooking apples , peeled, cored, and quaartered.
• 4 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Preparation

Step 1

In a 6 or 8 quart kettle or Dutch oven combine apples and 1 cup water. Bring to boiling; reduce heat; cover and simmer 30 minutes stirring occassionally. Press through a food mill or sieve. Return pulp to kettle; set aside. In a large skillet heat 2 cups of the sugar over medium heat until sugar begins to melt, shaking skillet occassionally to heat sugar evenly. Reduce heat. Cook and stir over low heat 5 to 10 minutes more or until sugar is melted and golden brown. (Carefully pour carmelized sugar into apple mixture in kettle (mixture will spatter!! Be careful!! Stir in remaining sugar and the spices. Bring to boiling, reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered 1 hour or until thickened, stirrring often. Stir in lemon juice. Spoon the hot apple butter into hot, clean jars, leaving 1/4 " headspace. Wipe rims; adjust lids. Process in boiling water bath for 5 minutes (start timing when water boils) Makes 6 (1/2 pint jars)