Homemade Cranberry Apple Butter

Cranberry Apple Butter
Cranberry Apple Butter is a deliciously tangy and sweet spread perfect for the fall season. With the tartness of cranberries balanced by sweet apples and warming cinnamon, it's a festive addition to toast, biscuits, or charcuterie boards. Its vibrant color and bold flavor make it a favorite around the holidays, especially Thanksgiving. Simple to make and easy to preserve, this fruit butter embodies the cozy essence of homemade comfort food.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 16
Calories 90 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 ⅓ cups cranberries (about ½ lb)
  • 9 apples (medium , peeled, cored, and cut into small chunks)
  • ½ cup water
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • ¼ tsp cinnamon

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare the Fruit

  • Grind cranberries in a food processor or blender.
  • Peel, core, and chop apples into small chunks.
  • Grind apples separately. You should have approximately 6 cups of pulp.

Step 2: Cook the Fruit Mixture

  • In a large pot, combine the ground cranberries and apples with water.
  • Stir and quickly bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.

Step 3: Simmer the Mixture

  • Reduce heat, cover, and cook for 15 minutes or until fruit is soft and steaming.

Step 4: Sweeten and Flavor

  • Stir in sugar and cinnamon.
  • Continue cooking uncovered for 10–15 minutes, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens.

Step 5: Finish and Store

  • Remove from heat, let cool slightly.
  • Transfer to jars or containers.
  • Cool completely, refrigerate, and enjoy. Yields about 4 cups.

Tips

  • Add a splash of orange juice or zest for brightness.
  • Replace cinnamon with pumpkin pie spice for a warmer profile.
  • Reduce sugar for a tarter spread.
  • Add a pinch of cloves or nutmeg for deeper spice.
  • Cook longer for a thicker, more caramelized butter.
  • Blend smooth after cooking for a silky texture.
  • Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for balanced flavor.
  • Store in airtight jars up to 2 weeks or freeze up to 6 months.
  • Spread on toast, pancakes, oatmeal, or roasted meats.

Nutrition

Calories: 90kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 0.1gFat: 0.1gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 55mgFiber: 2gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 50IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 6mgIron: 0.1mg
Keyword Apple, comfort food, cranberry, fall, fall recipes, holidays, preserves, spread, vintage recipes
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