Homemade Apple Butter Recipe
Rich, Spiced, and Perfectly Spreadable
If fall had a flavor, it would be apple butter. Rich, smooth, and full of warm spices, homemade apple butter is like autumn in a jar — and once you’ve made it yourself, the store-bought stuff will never compare.
This recipe transforms fresh apples into a deeply flavorful spread that’s perfect on toast, biscuits, pancakes, or even swirled into oatmeal or yogurt. Best of all, it’s surprisingly easy to make — and your house will smell amazing while it cooks.
What Is Apple Butter?
Despite the name, apple butter doesn’t contain any actual butter. It’s a slow-cooked fruit spread made by simmering apples with sugar and spices until the mixture becomes thick, smooth, and caramelized. Think of it as a highly concentrated applesauce with extra depth and richness.
The secret to amazing apple butter is time. As the apples cook down, their natural sugars caramelize, creating a deep brown color and an irresistibly intense apple flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
🍎 Uses simple, wholesome ingredients
🧡 Naturally dairy-free and vegan
🍂 Makes your home smell like a fall candle
🎁 Perfect for gifting or meal prep
🍞 Delicious on toast, in baking, or straight from the jar
Ingredients
5–6 pounds of apples (about 12–15 medium apples), peeled, cored, and chopped
1 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
½ cup brown sugar (for depth)
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
Optional: a splash of apple cider or lemon juice for brightness
What Apples Work Best?
You can use a single variety or mix it up for complexity. Great options include:
Fuji – naturally sweet
Granny Smith – tart and tangy
Honeycrisp – crisp and balanced
Gala or McIntosh – soft and sweet when cooked
Instructions
1. Prep the Apples
Peel, core, and chop your apples. Don’t worry about perfection — they’ll break down during cooking.
2. Combine Ingredients
Place the apples in a slow cooker (or large pot). Add both sugars, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, salt, and a splash of cider or lemon juice if using. Stir to combine.
3. Cook Low and Slow
Slow Cooker Method: Cover and cook on LOW for 8–10 hours, stirring occasionally, until the apples are completely soft and dark in color.
Stovetop Method: Simmer on low heat, covered, for 1–2 hours, stirring often to prevent sticking.
4. Blend Until Smooth
Use an immersion blender right in the pot, or carefully transfer to a blender in batches. Blend until silky smooth.
5. Cook Down Further (If Needed)
For thicker apple butter, return it to the pot and cook uncovered for another 30–60 minutes on LOW, stirring often, until it reaches your desired consistency.
6. Stir in Vanilla
Add vanilla extract at the end of cooking for extra warmth and depth.
7. Cool and Store
Let cool, then transfer to clean glass jars or containers. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for up to 6 months. You can also can it using proper sterilization methods for long-term shelf storage.
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