apple-butter
Definition
Noun: A thick, sweet, dark-brown spread made by slowly cooking apples with sugar, spices (such as cinnamon or cloves), and often cider or vinegar until the mixture reduces and caramelizes. Unlike butter, it contains no dairy.
Usage Examples
- (A sweet, spiced apple condiment used as a topping.)
- (A labor-intensive preserve made from apples.)
Advanced Usage
- "Homemade apple-butter": often associated with traditional autumn preservation methods, especially in rural American cuisine.
- Grandma's homemade apple-butter was a staple at the county fair. (A cherished, handcrafted preserve.)
Variants and Related Words
- Apple-butter (no hyphen): an alternative spelling, though less common.
- He bought a jar of apple butter from the farmer's market. (Same product, spelled without a hyphen.)
Synonyms
- Apple spread: a general term for any apple-based condiment.
- Apple jam: similar but typically thinner and less concentrated than apple-butter.
- Apple paste: a thicker, more solid version often used in baking.
Related Idioms
- "Smooth as apple-butter": a rare, informal comparison meaning very smooth and creamy.
- The sauce was as smooth as apple-butter. (Extremely smooth and velvety in texture.)