Black Butter is a traditional preserve from the Channel Islands, combining apples, spices, and sugar, slowly cooked to create a dark, velvety spread. Known for its deep, caramelized notes paired with warm spices, it's an irresistible addition to both sweet and savory dishes.
Ingredients
Scale:
4 lbs of apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
2 cups of sugar
2 cups of apple cider
1 cup of molasses
2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon of ground cloves
1 teaspoon of ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon of lemon juice (optional)
1 tablespoon of vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
In a large pot, combine the sliced apples and apple cider. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook until the apples begin to soften, about 10-15 minutes.
Add sugar, molasses, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and nutmeg to the pot. Stir well to combine the ingredients thoroughly.
Reduce heat to low and allow the mixture to simmer, stirring occasionally, for 2-3 hours. The mixture should become thick and dark, resembling a paste.
For a smoother texture, use an immersion blender to puree the mixture until it reaches the desired consistency.
If using lemon juice and vanilla extract, stir them into the black butter during the final 15 minutes of cooking.
Once the black butter has reached the desired thickness, remove it from the heat and allow it to cool slightly before transferring it to sterilized jars for storage.
