Apple Butter

By markemilw

Chevy Chase helps Martha make a healthy school lunch for kids using seasonal fruit: apple butter.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 pounds assorted apples, peeled, cored, and cut into quarters
• 3 cups apple cider
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Details

Servings 2
Adapted from marthastewart.com

Preparation

Step 1

In a Dutch oven over medium heat, melt butter and add apples. Cook apples until slightly softened, about 5 minutes. Add cider, bring to a boil, and reduce heat to a simmer. Let simmer, partially covered and stirring occasionally, until soft, about 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Mash softened apples with a potato masher. Remove from heat and add lemon juice, lemon zest, and cinnamon. Using an immersion blender, puree mixture until smooth.

Pour apple mixture evenly into a baking dish. Transfer to oven and bake, stirring occasionally, until thickened and reduced, about 3 to 3 1/2 hours. Let cool before serving. Apple butter may be kept, refrigerated in an airtight container, up to 5 days.