Kentucky Apple Butter Recipes

KENTUCKY APPLE BUTTER

Steps:

• Place apples in a large pot and cover with water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer, stirring occasionally, until apples are softened, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Press apples through a food mill to separate seeds, cores, and skin from apple pulp and transfer pulp to a bowl. Stir white sugar, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg into apples. Pour apple mixture into a 9x13-inch baking pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven, stirring and scraping sides every 20 to 30 minutes, until apple butter is red and thickened, 2 to 4 hours.
• Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack apple butter into the hot, sterilized jars, filling the jars to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a knife or a thin spatula around the insides of the jars after they have been filled to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids, and screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil and lower jars into the boiling water using a holder. Leave a 2-inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary to bring the water level to at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a rolling boil, cover the pot, and process for 30 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool. Once cool, press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all). Store in a cool, dark area.

KENTUCKY APPLE CAKE

Steps:

• 1. Cream margarine and sugar in a bowl.
• 2. Mix in eggs one at a time.
• 3. In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Mix dry ingredients into the butter/sugar.
• 4. Fold in the chopped apples, walnuts, and milk.
• 5. Grease and flour a 9x13 pan. Spread apple cake batter evenly in pan.
• 6. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes to 1 hour, or until a toothpick comes out without raw batter on it.
• 7. While the cake is baking, combine all the glaze ingredients except the vanilla in a medium pan. Stir and cook to a rolling boil. Remove from heat and add 1 teaspoon of vanilla.
• 8. Pour and spread glaze over hot cake as soon as the cake is removed from the oven.
• 9. Let cake cool completely before serving. The longer it sits, the better it gets!