Description
This Instant Pot Apple Butter recipe is a quick and easy way to enjoy a rich, spiced apple spread made with fresh Gala apples, molasses, and cinnamon. Perfect for toast, baking, or as a flavorful addition to your favorite dishes, this recipe leverages the convenience of the Instant Pot to create deeply flavorful apple butter in under two hours.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 6 Gala apples, washed, cored, and quartered
- ¼ cup water (57 grams)
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice (28 grams, from ½ orange)
- 2 tablespoons unsulphured molasses (43 grams)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (4 grams)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (25 grams)
- 1 cinnamon stick
Instructions
- Prepare the apples: Wash and cut the apples into quarters, removing the core to ensure even cooking and smooth blending later.
- Combine ingredients in Instant Pot: Place the apple quarters into the Instant Pot. Add the water, orange juice, unsulphured molasses, vanilla extract, granulated sugar, and cinnamon stick for flavor.
- Pressure cook the apples: Close and secure the Instant Pot lid, setting it to the locked position. Press the MANUAL button and set the timer for 20 minutes on high pressure. Press START to begin cooking.
- Natural pressure release: Once cooking is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for about 10 to 20 minutes to let the flavors meld and prevent splatter.
- Quick pressure release and open pot: Carefully turn the pressure release valve to the venting position to release any remaining steam. Once safe, open the Instant Pot lid.
- Blend the apple mixture: Remove the cinnamon stick. Transfer the cooked apples and liquid to a blender and blend until a smooth apple butter consistency is achieved. Return the smooth mixture to the Instant Pot.
- Thicken the apple butter: Select the SAUTE function on the Instant Pot, set to low heat. Cook uncovered for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning, until the apple butter thickens to the desired texture. For thicker apple butter, continue cooking for an additional 10 to 15 minutes.
- Cool the apple butter: Turn off the Instant Pot and let the apple butter cool to room temperature to prepare it for storage or immediate use.
- Store and enjoy: Pour the apple butter into clean jars or containers and enjoy it as a spread, topping, or ingredient in your favorite recipes.
Notes
- Use fresh, firm apples like Gala for the best texture and flavor.
- Adjust sweetness by varying the granulated sugar amount to taste.
- Store apple butter in airtight containers refrigerated for up to 2 weeks or freeze for longer storage.
- For thicker apple butter, increase the sauté time as noted in step 7.
- Be cautious during pressure release to avoid steam burns.
- You can omit the cinnamon stick for a milder flavor or substitute with ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon added before blending.
