Homemade Apple Butter
Went apple picking? Got lots of apples? Make this easy homemade apple butter recipe! Just a few simple ingredients and so much delicious fall flavor!
Nothing screams “Fall!” like big pot of homemade apple butter, bubbling away on the stovetop! It’s just bursting with sweet apple and warm spice flavors, and it’s got tons of great uses.
We love to enjoy it simply spread on toasted cinnamon bread, scones, or biscuits, but the possibilities are truly limitless! Anything that wants a little sweet fall flavor will taste delicious with a dollop of homemade apple butter.
And you won’t believe how easy it is to make your own apple butter from scratch. It only takes a few basic ingredients, and most of time it’s completely hands off.
I’ve got instructions here for making homemade apple butter on the stovetop OR in the crockpot. It’s totally up to you! Either way you will love this sweet fall treat.
WHAT IS APPLE BUTTER?
Apple butter is a simple, home-y topping that tastes great spread on biscuits, scones, or toast. It’s made from primarily from apples, but it doesn’t actually contain any butter or dairy of any kind. In fact, it’s vegan!
Apple butter has a hint of warm cinnamon spice, but mostly it just tastes like apples. It’s a very intense apple flavor, because it is essentially just apples cooked down and concentrated to their essence.
It’s in a class by itself. It’s not really a jam or a jelly, although it can be used in much the same way. And it is not quite the same thing as applesauce either. It’s thicker, smoother, and has a more concentrated apple flavor.
APPLE BUTTER INGREDIENTS
You can make this recipe from just a handful of basic ingredients.
Start with a whole lotta apples! You’re going to want about 4 pounds of apples for this recipe, which is approximately 9 medium-sized apples. If you’ve just gone apple picking, this is a great way to use your haul!
In addition to fresh apples, you’ll also need a little apple cider, some brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. At the very end you’ll squeeze in some fresh lemon juice, just to give the apple butter a little “lift.”
WHAT KIND OF APPLES SHOULD I USE?
You can use any kind of apple you like for this recipe.
For the batch you see in these pics and video, I chose to use Honeycrisp apples because I like their natural sweetness. You could also use Golden Delicious apples, Gala apples, or Fuji apples.
Or, if you prefer a more tart apple flavor, then Granny Smith apples would be a great choice.
But really any kind of apple will work, so just use what you have!
HOW TO MAKE APPLE BUTTER
To make this easy recipe, toss all your ingredients into a big pot and bring it to a simmer. Allow it to cook, stirring every now and then, until the apples have become really soft and are beginning to fall apart. For my Honeycrisp apples, this took about an hour on medium-low heat.
Once the apples are really soft, the apple butter can be pureed. I like to do this with a hand blender, but you could also use a regular blender, food processor, or food mill. (If you aren’t using a hand blender, you’ll want to do this in batches so as not to overflow your machine.) Be careful- the mixture is hot and steamy!
When the apple mixture is velvety-smooth, return it to your pot and let it continue to cook down. Basically you just want to let the liquid evaporate and leave behind a very concentrated apple puree. The longer you cook it, the thicker it will become.
And it will thicken up even more as it cools, so keep that in mind!
Once it’s reached a deep brown color, and has the consistency of a thick spread, remove it from the heat and squeeze in a little fresh lemon juice. This will really brighten up the flavor!
CAN THIS BE MADE IN A CROCKPOT?
I really like this stovetop recipe, because it’s relatively quick to make. But you could also make it in a crockpot or slow cooker!
To make a slow cooker apple butter, cook the apples, cider, brown sugar, and spices on high heat (uncovered) for about 2 hours (or until soft). Then, puree them just as you would for the stovetop recipe.
Then lower the heat and allow the puree to cook for 8 to 10 hours. Give it a stir every now and then, just to be sure it’s not burning on the bottom of the pot.
It takes a long time but your house will smell incredible, and it’s mostly hands off!
WHAT IS APPLE BUTTER GOOD ON?
There are SO many great uses for apple butter. It’s got a naturally sweet taste, so it works really well as a filling in desserts. But it’s also really nice on more savory dishes like herbed chicken or pork. In the Philadelphia are, where I live, we often enjoy it as a topping on scrapple. The sweet and savory contrast is incredible!
Most commonly, apple butter is enjoyed as a spread on toast, biscuits, or scones, but I’ve also used it to fill cupcakes (like these Apple Cinnamon Pancake Cupcakes) and breads (like this Apple Butter Cinnamon Swirl Bread).
CAN APPLE BUTTER BE CANNED?
You can absolutely can this, it works fabulously!
Just sterilize your jars, boil your lids until the seal is softened and gummy, and fill the jars with apple butter. Wipe the edges of the jars clean, screw on the lids, and submerge in boiling water for about 10 minutes.
As the jars cool, you should hear the lids suction down and “pop.” This is how you know your seals are airtight!
If done properly, the jars of apple butter can be kept for months in a cupboard at room temperature.
But if you don’t feel like going to the trouble, just keep it in the fridge and you should be just fine!
HOW LONG DOES APPLE BUTTER LAST?
Once opened, a jar of apple butter should last in the fridge for several weeks to a month.
Next time you find yourself with an abundance of apples, remember this easy homemade apple butter recipe!
And if you have any holiday parties coming up, think about giving jars of apple butter as party favors or a hostess gift! Your friends and family will love the sweet apple and warm cinnamon flavors!
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Homemade Apple Butter
Ingredients
- about 4 pounds apples, (roughly 9 medium-sized apples), peeled and cored
- 1 cup (236 g) apple cider, (NOT apple cider vinegar)
- 3/4 cup (165 g) loosely packed light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon (0.25 teaspoon) ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon (0.25 teaspoon) kosher salt
- juice of half a lemon, (about 1 tablespoon)
Instructions
- Place the apples, apple cider, brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and salt in a large pot, and cook over medium-low heat, uncovered, (stirring occasionally) until the apples have become very soft (about 1 hour).
- Use a hand blender to puree the mixture (or ladle it into a regular blender in batches) until smooth.
- Place the puree back into the pot and continue to cook, uncovered, (stirring occasionally) until thick, velvety, and deep mahogany brown (about 1 hour).
- Stir in the lemon juice, transfer the mixture to jars, and keep refrigerated.*
Is there a replacement for apple cider in this recipe?
Yes and it’s been discussed quite a bit in the comments section. I think you’ll find some good ideas there if you take a second look!
Followed the directions exactly but the final product I got was a brown, super thick apple sauce. I was hoping for the the caramel, silky smooth, pudding like consistency that was shown in the video. I don’t know what happened but it definitely did not come out as pictured.
I’m curious if you pureed it long enough in the blender. If it was not smooth it probably needed more blending. Seems the most likely culprit, especially considering the other comments on this post from readers who achieved exactly the same result as pictured.
I just finished making this recipe for apple butter. It came out perfect. I followed the recipe as directed. Thank you for sharing this recipe. Yum yum
So glad you were happy with it Sue! Thanks so much for the 5-star review!
Just finished making this. . Sampled it while cooking. Tasted great.Â
Simply the beat apple butter I’ve ever made and I’ve made A LOT of apple butter.
That’s so great to hear Kari! Thanks so much for the 5-star review!
Does it have to be kosher salt
If you’d like to use something else, just google “xx salt kosher salt equivalent.” Xx being whatever kind of salt you’re looking to use, ie: sea salt, table salt, etc. Good luck!
What can be substituted for the apple cider
You can use water or any kind of fruit juice.
Delicious. Â Thank you for sharing your recipe. Â I did have one question. Â After placing the apple butter back on the stove to reduce the liquid, mine seem to splutter all over the stove and I had to place the lid back on. Â Is this normal? Kind regards
Hey Michelle! So glad you enjoyed! And yes, sadly it does tend to sputter a bit as it cooks. If you have one of those splatter guards that still allow the steam to escape, that can be really helpful. Thanks for the 5-star review!
I was planning on making some apple butter over the next few days but all I have is spiced apple cider , is this ok to use or do I need to use regular apple cider?
I think that should work just fine! Your end product will just be slightly spicier.
When you say apple cider is that the alcoholic version or apple juice? Over here in the UK we have both:)
Hey Lynne- so sorry for the confusion. Here in the US, apple cider is like an unfiltered apple juice. It’s very sweet and dark and a bit cloudy. If you can’t find in in the UK I think regular apple juice would be a good sub. Good luck!
Could you use apple cider vinegar instead of apple cider?
No I’m afraid that would not work! Apple cider vinegar is not the same thing as apple cider. If you use vinegar your apple butter will be way too tart.
Hi can I freeze apple butter like I freeze strawberry jam
John3:16
Yes it should keep for several months in the freezer. Good luck!
When canning this do you have to sure anything like sure jell?Â
No, it’s plenty thick enough on its own. There is no need to add any pectin. Good luck!
Mine tastes really vinegary!! I’ve already added more sugar and cinnamon and it’s still so vinegary… What should I do?
There is no vinegar in this recipe. Did you use apple cider vinegar instead of apple cider?
Great and easy recipe! I substituted white grape juice for the cider since I had it readily on hand. Thanks for sharing this.
My pleasure Rose! I’m so glad you were pleased with the recipe.
Hi,
Can I use apple cider vinegar for apple cider..
No definitely not! Apple cider vinegar and apple cider are not the same things at all. If you put vinegar in this it won’t taste right.
Ok I am a little frustrated here, when you say:
“about 4 pounds apples (roughly 9 medium-sized apples), peeled and cored”
Does that mean to weigh 4 pounds of apples THEN peel and core them
OR
Does that mean to peel and core the apples THEN weigh out 4 pounds of usable apple???
Because I have weighed out exactly 4 pounds of usable apple meat and it looks like there are WAY too many apples
Please be more specific when it comes to things like this, it can cause a lot of frustration
I think this is pretty specific for anyone who is familiar with reading recipes. When the weight is stated first, and then the prep is stated after, that means the ingredient is first weighed and then prepped (ie: peeled and cored). This is industry standard for all recipes, across the board. Also, the words “about” and “roughly” convey that these are approximations and you can feel free to use your own judgement.
I want to put this on all the things! And maybe even eat it straight from the jar! hehe
I just wanna say that I accidentally used apple cider vinegar instead of apple cider because I didn’t read the recipe right and this still taste amazing!Â
Might be because I did 1/4 of the original recipe and also added a few tablespoons of extra sugar because I wanted to use my vanilla sugar I made.Â
But this is for anyone who somehow makes the same mistake I did. Just know it won’t taste absolutely terrible. The tartness works for me because I’m using it for buttercream.Â
How have I never had apple butter? This would be SO good on so many things!
Hi,
Can I use molasses instead of sugar? Or would it change the process of making the butter?Â
Thank you so muchÂ
Love all your recipesÂ
Hi Nancy! I don’t think it would really change the process, but I’ve never tried it so I can’t say for sure how much molasses you will want to add or how long the cook times would be. Definitely worth trying though, it sounds like a delicious idea! Good luck and enjoy!
Allie I just made the apple butter and I used molasses and it is absolutely  heavenly!!! The house smelled amazing and the outcome is so delicious ? It was darker than yours because of the molasses and I used the same measure you used for the brown sugar. Thank you for your wonderful recipes!!
Hooray! I’m so glad to hear it Nancy! Thank you so much for letting me know how it all worked out. I’m really excited for you!
I love apple butter! And I love the scent of it baking. Is there anything better?
Apple butter was a given at breakfast growing up—especially in the fall! This delicious recipe reminds me of my childhood!
Oh I am planning on going apple picking and always wanted to make this!!
Go for it Samantha! It’s really easy and your kitchen will smell amazing!