Homemade Apple Butter

Apple Butter Recipe

Description

This smooth and velvety apple butter is slow cooked to perfection, bringing out the natural sweetness of apples and the warmth of fall spices. It’s easy to make and a wonderful way to use fresh apples.

Ingredients

• 6 ½ lbs (about 12–14 medium) apples, peeled, cored, and sliced

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 cup packed brown sugar

• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon

• ¼ tsp ground cloves

• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg

• ¼ tsp salt

• 1 tbsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Prepare Apples:
   Peel, core, and slice apples into even pieces.

2. Combine Ingredients:
   Place apples in a slow cooker. Add granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. Stir to coat apples evenly.

3. Slow Cook:
   Cover and cook on LOW for 10 hours, stirring occasionally, until apples are very soft and dark brown.

4. Blend:
   Use an immersion blender to puree until smooth or transfer to a blender in batches.

5. Final Cooking:
   Stir in vanilla extract. Continue cooking uncovered on LOW for 1–2 more hours, or until thickened to your liking.

6. Cool & Store:
   Let apple butter cool completely, then store in airtight containers or jars.

Equipment

• Slow cooker (Crockpot)

• Peeler and corer

• Cutting board and knife

• Immersion blender or countertop blender

• Airtight jars or containers

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 11–12 hours

Total Time: 11 hours 20 minutes – 12 hours 20 minutes

Serving Size: About 4–5 cups (32–40 servings, 2 tbsp each)

Apple Butter Recipe

This smooth and velvety apple butter is slow cooked to perfection, bringing out the natural sweetness of apples and the warmth of fall spices. It’s easy to make and a wonderful way to use fresh apples.

Print Recipe

Prep Time:20 minutes mins

Cook Time:11 hours hrs

Total Time:11 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Equipment

• Slow cooker (Crockpot)
• Peeler and corer
• Cutting board and knife
• Immersion blender or countertop blender
• Airtight jars or containers

Ingredients

• 6 ½ lbs about 12–14 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract

Instructions

• Prepare Apples:
• Peel, core, and slice apples into even pieces.
• Combine Ingredients:
• Place apples in a slow cooker. Add granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. Stir to coat apples evenly.
• Slow Cook:
• Cover and cook on LOW for 10 hours, stirring occasionally, until apples are very soft and dark brown.
• Blend:
• Use an immersion blender to puree until smooth or transfer to a blender in batches.
• Final Cooking:
• Stir in vanilla extract. Continue cooking uncovered on LOW for 1–2 more hours, or until thickened to your liking.
• Cool & Store:
• Let apple butter cool completely, then store in airtight containers or jars.

Servings: 32 servings

10 Frequently Asked Questions

1. What type of apples work best for apple butter?
   A mix of sweet and tart apples like Fuji, Gala, and Granny Smith gives the best flavor balance.

2. Do I have to peel the apples?
   Yes, peeling helps create a smooth texture. Leaving the skins on can make it more rustic but less silky.

3. Can I make this without a slow cooker?
   Yes, you can cook it in a large pot on the stovetop over low heat, stirring often to prevent burning, or bake in the oven at 250°F for several hours.

4. Is apple butter the same as applesauce?
   No. Apple butter is cooked longer, making it thicker, darker, and more intensely flavored.

5. Can I reduce the sugar?
   Yes, you can reduce or adjust sugar to taste, but less sugar may slightly affect preservation time.

6. Can I freeze apple butter?
   Absolutely. It freezes well for up to 1 year in freezer-safe containers.

7. Can I can this apple butter for long-term storage?
   Yes, using proper water bath canning methods, it can last up to 18 months in a cool, dark place.

8. Can I use an Instant Pot instead?
   Yes, pressure cook the apples for about 15 minutes, then switch to sauté mode to thicken.

9. How can I make it thicker?
   Continue cooking uncovered until excess liquid evaporates, stirring occasionally.

10. What can I serve apple butter with?
    It’s delicious on toast, biscuits, pancakes, oatmeal, yogurt, or even as a glaze for meats.

How To Store Apple Butter

• Refrigerator: Store in airtight jars or containers for up to 3 weeks.

• Freezer: Freeze in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 1 year. Thaw in the refrigerator before use.

• Canning: Use proper water bath canning to store in sealed jars for up to 18 months in a cool, dark place.

• Tip: Always use clean utensils to avoid contamination and extend freshness.