How to Make your Own Fruit Butter
- 1). Choose a cooking method. You can make fruit butters on the stove, in a microwave or in a slow cooker.
- 2). Choose the fruit you will use. Wash, peel and remove seeds or core. Cut the fruit into large chunks and toss into a food processor or blender. Add a small amount of water if necessary to make a thick pulp. Drier fruits such as apples and pears will need more water than juicier fruits such as grapes or cherries.
- 3). Add sugar to the pulp to taste. Start with small amounts of sugar and increase if needed. You can add more sugar toward the end of the cooking process. Add spices if desired, although many people prefer just the taste of the fruit. Cinnamon, ginger and ground cloves give apple butter a warm spicy taste. Almond extract enhances the flavor of cherries. Use pumpkin pie spices in pumpkin butter for a taste treat.
- 4). Place the sweetened pulp in the cooking container and cook on medium to low heat until thick enough to remain on a spoon when turned upside down. In a slow cooker, this can mean six to eight hours or overnight. Allow the steam to escape so the pulp reduces in volume. Stir occasionally during cooking to keep the butter from scorching.
- 5). Serve warm fruit butter on toast, cereal or ice cream. Store small quantities in the refrigerator and use them quickly. Freeze portions for longer storage.
