To Freeze
Place pot in a sink filled with ice water to cool apple butter. Spoon cooled mixture into freezer containers, leaving 1/2-inch headspace for wide-top containers or 3/4-inch headspace for narrow-top containers. Seal, label, and freeze for up to 6 months. Apple butter may darken slightly on freezing
Tart Apples
Varieties that we recommend using for this spiced butter include Granny Smith, Cortland, Jonathan, Jonagold, and McIntosh.
Apple-Pear Butter
Prepare as directed, except substitute 2 lb. cored, quartered ripe pears for 2 lb. of the apples.
Caramel Apple Butter
Prepare as directed, except decrease granulated sugar to 1/2 cup and add 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar.