16 Steps to Canning Apple Butter

Step 12, Add Sugar and Spices

After we have sieved and mixed up the batch of apple butter, we add sugar and spices. None is really required and you need not use any if you wish. Sugar will help hold the color but is not required. We sweeten to taste. We added about 3 cups of sugar to 8 quarts of apple butter (1 Box). We add about 2 teaspoons of salt for taste, 2 tablespoons of cinnamon, a teaspoon of allspice and a teaspoon of nutmeg. Some may like to use some ground cloves. Also by our preference we add about 3-4 drops of red food coloring for visual appeal if the apple butter is too pale. We just don't like pale white apple butter.