Description
This homemade apple butter recipe is a comforting, deeply flavored spread made from a mix of sweet and tart apples, slow-cooked with warm spices until thick, smooth, and richly caramelized. Perfect for spreading on toast, stirring into oatmeal, or using as a sweet glaze, it’s naturally sweetened and freezer- and canning-friendly for long-lasting enjoyment.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 6 pounds of apples (a mix of sweet and tart like Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith)
- 1 to 1½ cups brown sugar (adjust based on apple sweetness)
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup water or apple cider (optional for stovetop method)
Optional Add-ins
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (for brightness)
- 1 star anise or ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom (for complex spice notes)
Instructions
- Choose and Prepare Your Apples: Wash, core, and roughly chop your apples, leaving the skins on for added flavor, fiber, and color. The skins will break down during cooking and blend smoothly later.
- Combine Ingredients: In a slow cooker or large pot, combine the chopped apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt, and vanilla extract. Add water or apple cider if using stovetop or Instant Pot to prevent sticking.
- Slow Cook Until Tender: For slow cooker, cook on low for 8–10 hours or high for 4–5 hours until apples are soft and deeply colored. For stovetop, simmer covered on low for 2–3 hours, stirring frequently. For Instant Pot, pressure cook for 15 minutes with natural release, then use sauté mode to reduce the mixture.
- Blend Smooth: Use an immersion blender directly in the pot or transfer to a countertop blender and blend until smooth and silky.
- Reduce Further (Optional): Return the apple butter to the pot and cook uncovered on low for 30–60 minutes to thicken further, stirring often to prevent burning.
- Cool and Store: Let the apple butter cool to room temperature, then transfer to airtight containers. Refrigerate for up to 3 weeks or freeze in freezer-safe containers for up to 6 months. For long-term storage, use proper water bath canning techniques.
Notes
- Cook low and slow to develop a deep, rich flavor.
- Blending thoroughly is key for a smooth, buttery texture.
- Adjust spices and sugar to taste based on apple sweetness and preference.
- Watch thickness; the apple butter should mound on a spoon and not be runny.
- Use a combination of sweet and tart apples for the best flavor balance.
- Apple butter contains no dairy despite its name—it refers to its creamy texture.
- Store refrigerated apple butter up to 3 weeks; freeze up to 6 months.
- For canning, follow safe water bath canning procedures, processing jars for 10 minutes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 10 hours (depending on method)
- Category: Spread, Condiment
- Method: Slow Cooker, Stovetop, Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons (32g)
- Calories: 60
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 55mg
- Fat: 0.1g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 0.2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: apple butter, homemade apple butter, slow cooker apple butter, stovetop apple butter, Instant Pot apple butter, fall recipes, apple spread, spiced apple butter
