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Typically during the month of October, I begin to fantasize about all things pumpkin: pumpkin scones, pumpkin pie, and (dare I say) pumpkin spice. But this year a jar of apple butter stole my heart and became my muse in the kitchen. We’ve been spending a lot of time together, particularly in the mornings and mid-afternoon with a cup of coffee. 

What is apple butter? Oddly enough, it has nothing to do with butter - aside from the fact that you might spread it over your morning toast. Apple butter does not have any butter in it, and the consistency is closer to that of fruit preserves or jam. It’s essentially concentrated apple sauce packed with flavors like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and other warming spices. By cooking for a long period of time, more water is removed which gives apple butter that beautiful caramelized color and richness. Apple butter makes anything it touches taste like the holidays, and I’m here for it!

There are a variety of simple ways you can use apple butter. Swirl some in your oatmeal or yogurt for breakfast. Serve it next to a good piece of cheese and a baguette during cocktail hour, or mix a little in your next scoop of ice cream for dessert. If you’re looking to spruce up your fall baking recipes, apple butter is a good substitute for apple sauce or pumpkin puree.

As you may have gathered, I’ve gone bananas for apple butter. Throughout the month of October, I’ll share some of the ways you can incorporate apple butter into your baking repertoire like this recipe for apple butter scones.

These scones are a big hit in my house. It makes for a special breakfast on school days, in which case I make them the night before and store in a tupperware. But my favorite time to make these scones is on the weekends (no doubt in my pjs with a cup of coffee) because nothing is better than eating them fresh out of the oven.

As a side note: I’ve been using The Dutch Kettle’s apple butter, and it’s scrumptious. I stumbled upon their products at a local farmers market and have seen them at my Publix grocery store since then. Located about an hour north of Lake Norman in Hamptonville, NC, The Dutch Kettle specializes in hand-crafted jams, jellies and speciality products. I’d recommend you give it a try, and it’s also sold online. I’m eager to sample their F.R.O.G (fig, raspberry, orange and ginger) jam next!