Peel, core, and cut the apples into small cubes. Into a small to medium saucepan, add the apples, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
Add water if needed (we added some water to prevent the apples from burning) and cook the apples for about 30 minutes until they are soft.
Transfer the apple mixture to a blender or a food processor and blend the apples until a smooth mixture forms.
Transfer the blended apple mixture to the saucepan over medium heat and add the butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and more spices if you'd like! Mix until well combined and the butter is melted.
Let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes and transfer it into a jar and let it cool completely. Store the curd for up to 2 weeks in the fridge.
Notes
Choose the right apples. Opt for apples that are naturally sweet and have a good balance of tartness, such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. This will ensure your curd has a rich flavor.
Dice apples evenly. Cut your apples into uniform pieces to ensure they cook evenly. This helps achieve a consistent texture in the final product.
Cook on low heat. Simmer the diced apples on low heat with a bit of water or apple juice until they become soft and tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Strain for extra smoothness. For an ultra-smooth finish, strain the blended mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove any remaining bits of apple skin or spice particles.
Double the recipe or half it as you wish in the recipe card below!
Replace the cinnamon with nutmeg or other fall-themed spices to get the perfect customizable flavors.