A kitchen in the fall conjures up memories of apples and warm spices, pumpkin and squashes. Many folks make their own apple butter at home, but there are actually great store-bought varieties available in most supermarkets around the country.
So we thought instead of focusing on how to make apple butter today, we'd think about ways to use it in the kitchen. Sure, there's nothing better than slathering a dollop of apple butter onto warm toast or biscuits in the morning, but it can actually be an integral ingredient in fall cooking and baking. Here are a few recipes we're excited to try:
Savory:
• Brown Sugar and Bourbon Ribs - Epicurious
• Sweet and Spicy Chicken Thighs - A Southern Fairtytale
• Mini Vegetable Casserole Topped with a Duck Egg and Apple Butter - Food Network
• Ham, Cheddar, and Apple Butter Sandwiches - Epicurious
• Apple Butter Glazed Ham - BC Living
Sweet:
• Apple Butter Pumpkin Pie - Food Network
• Apple Butter Spice Cake - Eating Well
• Apple Butter Ice Cream with Ginger Chocolate Ganache - Food and Wine
• Apple Butter Bars - Sidehill Farms
• Apple-Butter-Filled Gingerbread Cookies - Los Angeles Times
Related: Apples Galore! How to Make Apple Butter
(Image: Flickr member Whitney in Chicago licensed for use under Creative Commons)
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I love the idea of using it as a marinade, especially mixed with some heat from the chipolte peppers.
These are great ideas. I have a couple of jars in my pantry and I never know what to do with them. Thanks!
The open-faced ham sandwiches from Bon Appetit are delicious--I make them every fall along with the onion soup that was featured in the same issue with them.
One of my favorite ways to use apple butter is as the filling for cinnamon rolls. Instead of melted butter, mix a little extra cinnamon into the apple butter and spread that over your rolled out dough. Add some chopped nuts (if you want), and then roll it up, cut and bake as usual (although they might need a few extra minutes in the oven). Delicious!