Let me show you just how to make apple butter. It's super simple and this sweet and spiced spread is perfect on toast, pancakes, and muffins. This recipe is perfect in the fall, but can be enjoyed year round.
What is Apple Butter?
Despite the name, apple butter does not contain butter. Apple butter is a smooth spiced apple spread. It is made with apples, sugar, spices and is either slow or pressure cooked until thick and dark. The flavor is rich and deep and something you'll crave every fall.
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe is always a favorite at our house, but you're going to love it because:
- It has simple ingredients and turns out perfect every time. The rich apple flavor is amazing.
- Can be canned or frozen to preserve for months to come.
- It makes a perfect gift.
- Can be served on a variety of foods. We love it with coffee cake muffins, homemade bread, and pancakes.
About The Ingredients
All of the ingredients for this apple butter recipe can be purchased at your local grocery store. You probably have them all in your pantry already. Here are a few items to note:
- Apples - use your favorite variety. I like to use galas, fuji, or honey crisp because they are sweet. But you can use whatever is in season and are your favorite.
- Sugars - we are using both granulated sugar and brown sugar. This gives a nice depth of flavor and sweetness.
- Spices - keeping it simple with just cinnamon and all spice. These warm spices are a perfect compliment to the apples.
For a complete list of ingredients and amounts, see the recipe card below.
How to Make Apple Butter
This homemade apple butter recipe is so easy, you won't even believe it. Let me show you how!
- Peel, core and slice your apples.
- Add them to an extra large bowl.
- Add in granulated sugar and brown sugar.
- Add in cinnamon and all spice.
- Toss until well combined.
- In a 5qt or larger pressure cooker, add ⅓ cup water.
- Add apple mixture. Do not stir.
- Seal lid and set to high pressure for 30 minutes. Allow a complete natural pressure release.
- Using an immersion blender, puree the cooked apples.
- Set instant pot to sauté on low and cook for 10-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
- Transfer to jars for storing.
- Serve with bread, pancakes, or pork.
Alternate Cooking Methods
- Slow Cooker - Making apple butter in the slow cooker is easy, and it smells amazing. In a 5qt slow cooker, cook on low for 10 hours. I like to do this overnight in the crock pot. Then blend. You can return to the slow cooker to thicken if desired.
- Stovetop - Low and slow is the name of the game. Cook on low for about 90 minutes. Then puree and store.
How To Serve
Apple Butter is such a versatile spread. Here are a few ideas of how to serve it:
- Spread on toast: This is the perfect "jam" for toasted bread, English muffins, or bagels. It can also be using on peanut butter and jam sandwiches.
- Pancakes or waffles: Serve top of pancakes or waffles for a spiced and festive twist during the fall months.
- Glaze for meat: this tastes amazing spread on pork chops, roast beef, or chicken while they are cooked.
- Yogurt Parfait: Serve with granola and yogurt as a parfait. This is so good you won't even believe it!
- Ice Cream Topping: A little drizzle of this on some vanilla ice cream is pure heaven!
- Charcuterie Board: Apple butter is such a nice addition to a charcuterie board and goes great with cheese and crackers.
Variations
This base recipe is perfect for making little tweaks. Here are a few I like to do:
- Pears - add in a few pears for some additional fall flavors.
- Pumpkin - add in pureed pumpkin for a flavor combo made in heaven.
- Chocolate - add in cocoa powder for a chocolate covered apple flavor.
Pro Kitchen Tips
Use an immersion blender - Using an immersion blender is the easiest way to make this spread smooth. Transferring to a blender jar will work, but is messier and you risk burning yourself.
Leave Headspace - if you are planning to freeze your apple butter, make sure you leave about ½ inch from the top of your jar. This will allow room for it to expand when frozen.
FAQs
It is cooked longer, so it is thicker. It is also a bit more full flavored with sugar and spices.
Store apple butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can also be frozen for longer-term storage. Properly sealed, it can last for several months in the refrigerator or up to a year in the freezer.
Yes, you can reduce the sugar in the recipe or use a sugar substitute. Keep in mind that this will alter the taste and texture of the recipe.
More Apple Recipes
Love apple recipes? Then you'll love these:
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How To Make Apple Butter
Equipment
- Pressure Cooker
- immersion blender
Ingredients
- 16 medium apples your favorite variety, peeled, cored, and diced
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon all spice
Instructions
Pressure Cooker Instructions
- In a 5qt or larger pressure cooker place ½ cup water
- Toss apples, sugars, and spices in a large mixing bowl. Transfer to pressure cooker.
- Seal lid and cook on high pressure for 30 minutes. Allow a natural release.
- Open lid, use immersion blender or blend in blender in batches. Return to pot and cook on low sauté mode to reduce apple butter to be as thick as you'd like, stirring intermittently--anywhere from 10-30 minutes.
Slow Cooker Instructions
- In a 5 qt slow cooker combine all ingredients and toss to coat.
- Cook on low for 10 hours.
- Turn heat to high, uncover and cook for another 2 hours.
- Using an immersion blender, blend until smooth.
- Let cook and transfer to sterile containers and freeze.
- Serve on rolls or toast.
Video
Notes
- Spread on toast: This is the perfect "jam" for toasted bread, English muffins, or bagels. It can also be using on peanut butter and jam sandwiches.
- Pancakes or waffles: Serve top of pancakes or waffles for a spiced and festive twist during the fall months.
- Glaze for meat: this tastes amazing spread on pork chops, roast beef, or chicken while they are cooked.
- Yogurt Parfait: Serve with granola and yogurt as a parfait. This is so good you won't even believe it!
- Ice Cream Topping: A little drizzle of this on some vanilla ice cream is pure heaven!
- Charcuterie Board: Apple butter is such a nice addition to a charcuterie board and goes great with cheese and crackers.
Emily Kemp says
Omg this sounds absolutely perfect for fall! Can't wait to try this.
Carrie D. says
This was so good! I have a smaller slow cooker, so I just halved the recipe. My daughter loved it, too!