Cinnamon and Brown Sugar Apple Butter

This was easily one of my favourite things to make when I first started really getting into cooking. This stuff is so incredibly simple, and is an old recipe I posted on my first blog about 6 years ago. So this one doesn't get lost in the internet of the past - here's my take on a delicious, autumn scented apple butter. :) 

Cinnamon and Brown Sugar Apple Butter

Ingredients:

• 2 apples (I LOVE Fuji apples, or Golden Delicious… So this is what I used, however, don’t be afraid to use your favourite type!)
• 2 tbsp orange juice
• 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice (please, do not used pre-bottled stuff for this…)
• about 50 ml lightly packed brown sugar (you can adjust this to your tastes, but I suggest keeping this quantity.)
• 1/4 tsp each vanilla and maple extract (use pure vanilla extract, as the artificial stuff tastes like garbage.)
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• Dash each of ground cloves, nutmeg and allspice (note: a “dash” is 1 ml, not a “pinch” or “sprinkle”)

Method:

• Cut the tops and bottoms off of the apples, and peel each apple.
• Cut each apple into halves, then quarters, then dice into little chunks.
• Place all ingredients in a deep sauce pan over medium to high heat for about 15 minutes. This step is finished when the majority of the liquid has evaporated.
• Remove from heat, and put all contents into a blender.
• Blend until smooth apple sauce consistency. (Start off blending slowly, scraping down the sides with a spatula every 10 seconds or so, then gradually increase the blending speed.)
• Return the contents to the sauce pan, and cook on low heat, stirring occasionally at first (then constantly after the first 15 minutes) for about 25-30 minutes, until no longer watery like apple sauce.
• When it is finished, it will still be a bit soft, but once it is cooled it will have more of an “apple butter” consistency.
• When finished, remove from sauce pan and place into a glass jar or an air tight container, and store in the fridge.
• This apple butter is best used within one week.