Small Batch Stovetop Apple Butter (and, um, a milkshake.)
Because I cannot let anything in this world just BE.
The thing is that I made some darn healthy apple butter.
I’m obviously in a butter mood, but whatever. Alternate sentence: what else is new. Question mark.
Apple butter with a touch of honey. No sugar otherwise. Just some sea salt, a touch of cider and a HECK of a lot of spice. My preference… I wanted things to taste like fall in a jar. Even left the peels on the apples for extra fiber.
Okay, for extra laziness. You caught me.
So I have this awesome, good-for-you apple butter. And what do I do? PUT IT IN A MILKSHAKE.
SWIRL IT AROUND WITH ICE CREAM. DRIZZLE IT WITH MAPLE CREAM.
Hate myself. I mean, love myself.
This past week we finally finished up the last jar of apple butter that we have been hoarding since August since we were in Michigan. I use the term “we” loosly because my husband may as well have labeled the jar with his name and secured it with lock and key. Not very nice, now is he?
No big deal, considering the vast amount of snacks I have to hide from him just so I can get a bite. Shhhhh.
The other thing is that all along I planned on making apple butter in my crockpot. Then. Someone broke my crockpot. By someone I mean me. Thanks for your replacement suggestions on facebook. After I dried my eyes I went in search for a new one and it was complete sensory overload that ended in a very large pumpkin scone and much consumption of emotions. So, no crockpot yet. I’m going to get a replacement lid for my broken one, but in the meantime I figure for as often as I use it, why not buy another? It seems completely logical since I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NOT ONE SQUARE INCH for another kitchen appliance. La la la la la.
Apple butter on the stovetop it is. It only took an hour! Also, apple butter in a small batch. When I make a lot of something, it tends to go to waste, unless of course it’s chicken or steak and then the human garbage disposal takes care of it. I wanted just enough so we could enjoy it without getting sick of it.
Or you know, throw it in a milkshake so there was none left to spread on toast.
That seems perfectly normal.
Small Batch Stovetop Apple Butter
Ingredients
Small Batch Stovetop Apple Butter
- 4 apples, cored and chopped (I left the peel on)
- 1/3 cup apple cider
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- a pinch of cloves
- a pinch of sea salt
Apple Butter and Maple Cream Vanilla Milkshakes
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream
- 1 1/4 cups milk
- 1/3 cup apple butter
- 1/4 cup maple cream or maple butter, plus more for drizzling
- 1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped
- whipped cream for serving
- cinnamon to sprinkle on top
Instructions
Small Batch Stovetop Apple Butter
- Combine all ingredients together in a small saucepan and stir. Heat over low heat and cover, cooking for 1 hour. Stir occasionally, making sure that no apples are sticking to the bottom. After an hour, the apples should be caramely in color and completely broken down. Add the mixture to a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. (You can leave it chunky if you’d like!) Store in the fridge for up to one week.
Apple Butter and Maple Cream Vanilla Milkshakes
- Combine all ingredients together in a blender and puree until smooth.
Did you make this recipe?
Be sure to follow @howsweeteats on instagram and tag #howsweeteats. You can also post a photo of your recipe to our facebook page.
I appreciate you so much!
It’s better like this anyway.
75 Comments on “Small Batch Stovetop Apple Butter (and, um, a milkshake.)”
SO just pinned this!! Can’t wait to make this (both!!)
I’m drooling right now. I’m actually craving a sweet drink but noticed that most of your recipes look so good but don’t require too much sugar either. Thanks for sharing.
Looks SO GOOD! Any tips on which kind of apple to use??
I followed your receipe and made the apple butter. Delicous!
I love the idea of both of these things. I don’t have a crock pot, so thanks for sharing a simple way to make it without one. Also, it’s hot here, and I totally need a milkshake.
Apple butter + a milkshake, I’m in the for the win! Awesome!
Oh man, this sounds like an amazing combination. I love the maple butter addition. Yum!
So I made the apple butter on the morning you posted this. It was the perfect batch size for our house, and it tasted SO GREAT. The apples in my fridge would have gone bad otherwise, so thanks for posting.
You KNOW I love all things small batch! Puttin’ this on the list! Thanks, man! :)
I made the apple butter last night. Tripled the recipe. Had it this AM. It was DELICIOUS!!!
Pingback: Things I’m Loving: There is No Life I Know to Compare to Pure Imagination | The Sometimes Healthy Living Blog
I love that you didn’t add a million cups of sugar to apple butter. All the recipes I’ve come across recently have been overboard on the sugar. It it’s low-sugar, the milkshake part isn’t as bad for you, right? :)
Pingback: Like Buttah | Wicked Healthy Washingtonian
Michigan really does have the best apple butter doesn’t it? I love that this is a small batch one, the big batches are scary and intimidating…. small batch…. much more doable.
If you’ve still not settled on a slowcooker yet, this one got top grades from ATK (which means it must be made of unicorns or something) AND, it’s not even that expensive! Otherwise, if you wanna be a bit more indulgent you could go with this guy… The best part is, it’s online so NO STRESS! just close your eyes and click! (then maybe drive to starbucks for a pumpkin scone and stress eat until it arrives)
I made your apple butter today!! only thing is, it made FOUR cups worth!!! Maybe my apples were too big? LOL Not complaining though – it tasted awesome!
Woah your blog is astounding i really like researching your posts. Keep up to date the nice do the job! You understand, plenty of people will be shopping around for this details, you can help them to significantly.
Pingback: Apple Butter Smoothie | hipstercooker
OMG!!! This was amazing. I made 3x the recipe because my hubby’s family all wanted some. Two days later, I made 3x the recipe again. I substituted the honey with sugar though. My kids told me I was the best mom ever. Thanks for this awesome recipe.
I had never tried apple butter before (I know those are fighting words, right?) so nothing to compare this too, but holy cow! This stuff is awesome. Does all apple butter taste this great? We all need this in our lives.
this is addiction for me, <3
What can I use in place of maple cream or butter? Cannot find it where I live.
i think you can just use a tablespoon or so of maple syrup!
Also for your milkshake can I use vanilla extract in place of vanilla beans? And how much?
yes you can just use a teaspoon or so!