Begin by washing and peeling your apples. Make sure to core and roughly chop them into small pieces.  You're looking for a total weight of around 1.5 pounds, which is typically 5 medium apples. The variety of apples you choose impacts the flavor, so feel free to mix it up!

In a large saucepan, add your chopped apples and pour in the ½ cup of filtered water. This will create steam and help soften the apples as they cook.  Next, add your sugars, lemon juice, cinnamon, vanilla extract, ginger, and cloves. Stir everything together until well combined.

Place the saucepan on your stove over medium heat. Bring it to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.  You want everything to heat evenly. After about 20 minutes, the apples will be tender and starting to break down.

Once the apples are soft, remove the saucepan from the heat. If you like a chunky apple butter, you can skip this step. For a smoother consistency, use an immersion blender or transfer the mixture to a standard blender in batches. Blend until you reach your desired texture.

After blending, return the apple puree to the saucepan. Cook it uncovered on low heat, stirring frequently, for another 30 to 45 minutes. This is where the magic happens! The mixture will thicken and the flavors deepen.

As the apple butter cooks, taste it occasionally. You might want to add a bit more sugar or spices depending on your personal preference. Remember, this is about finding that perfect balance for your palate!

Once your apple butter has reached the desired thickness, remove it from the heat and let it cool down. Transfer the apple butter to clean jars. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or freeze it for longer enjoyment.