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    Home » Recipes » Breakfast » Apple Butter

    Apple Butter

    Published: August 27, 2020 · Modified: Aug 27, 2020 by John Kanell

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

    This easy slow cooker apple butter will fill your house with the smells of autumn, you can use it as a delicious spread or syrup on your favorite fall recipes, and it's a great homemade gift to give for the holidays!

    A glass jar with apple butter next to some apples.
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    Freshly made apple butter in a container.
    Two jars of apple butter stacked on a counter.
    Two glass containers of apple butter on a counter.
    A swirl of apple butter in a mason jar.
    A glass containere filled with apple butter next to some apples.
    An open jar of apple butter.
    A container of apple butter next to a pink linen.
    A golden spoon lifting apple butter.
    Dark brown apple butter in a glass jar.
    Apple butter in a glass jar on a marble counter.

    Apple butter is such a fun thing to make when you have a lot of apples on hand. You can whip up a big batch and enjoy the amazing smell of apples and cinnamon wafting through the house, then jar your apple butter and have a delicious spread that lasts for quite a while!

    What You’ll Need for This Recipe 

    Ingredients for making apple butter on a counter.

    Apples: Since you’ll be cooking this down for quite a while you don’t have to worry about baking consistency like you would for an apple pie. Instead choose apples you have on hand and enjoy the flavors of. I like using some Granny Smith apples for acidity but it’s up to you.

    Spices: Cinnamon, cloves, and freshly grated nutmeg are a wonderful addition to the recipe but you can use apple pie spice, or your favorite fall spices.

    How to Make Apple Butter

    Apples getting sliced to make apple butter.

    1. Peel, core and slice your apples. Pieces should be around half and inch or so but you don’t have to be persnickety, it’s all going to break down into a concentrated apple sauce.

    2. Add granulated and brown sugars along with salt and spices to a medium-sized bowl and then whisk together and set aside.

    Apples going into a crockpot and getting tossed with sugar.

    3. Add the apples to your crock pot.

    4. Pour the sugar mixture over the apples and mix to coat then cover and set to 10 hours.

    Apple butter getting smoothed out in a food processor.

    5. Stir in the vanilla and cook uncovered for two more hours to evaporate excess liquid.

    6. For silky smooth apple butter pulse in a food processor or blender. If you like chunky apple butter then use a potato masher or large fork to break down. Transfer to airtight jars and store in the refrigerator or freeze.

    A mason jar with apple butter inside.    

    Pro Tips for this Recipe

    • Taste your apples before adding them to your slow cooker. If they’re super sweet you can decrease the sugar in the recipe by 1/4 cup. If they’re very flat you can add a squeeze of lemon juice. 
    • You can simmer the apple butter in a pot over low heat to reduce excess water if you want to have total control over consistency.
    • Make sure to refrigerate containers if you aren’t going through the canning process.
    • You can make this on your stove if you don’t have a Crock Pot! See below for instructions

    Two stacked mason jars filled with apple butter.

     

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is it used for?

    Apple butter is a condiment used to spread on toast with butter or added to sandwiches much like you would add cranberry sauce to a turkey sandwich.

    What is the best type of apple to use?

    Any apple you enjoy the flavor or will work; the long cook time will break down any apple so you don’t have to worry about consistency. Using some tart Granny Smith apples is a great way to add acidity. Try using Gala, Mitsu, Honey Crisp, Golden Delicious, or Pink Lady apples.

    What does it taste like?

    Apple butter has a rich sweet apple taste with lots of fall spices. Cooking the apples down for so long

    How long does it last?

    If stored in an airtight container then it will last up to three months in the refrigerator or one year in the freezer.

    Can you make this without a slow cooker?

    Yes! Add the ingredients to a large pot over medium-low heat and cook while stirring frequently for about an hour until the apples are softened then process the apples into a puree and continue to cook at medium low until they caramelize and thicken. 

    If you love this recipe try these out!

    • An apple dumpling on a porcelain plate.

      Apple Dumplings

    • Apple pie cookies with a bite taken out of one.

      Apple Pie Cookies

    • Two glasses of apple cider next to apples and cinnamon sticks.

      Apple Cider

    • Overhead view of a plate with a serving of apple cobbler with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.

      Apple Cobbler

    • Apple Crumble Pie

    If you’ve tried this recipe then don’t forget to leave a rating and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you! 

    Apple butter in a glass jar tied with twine.
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    5 from 6 votes

    Apple Butter

    This easy recipe makes the best apple butter and fills your house with the most amazing autumnal smells.
    Course Breakfast, Dessert, Side Dish
    Cuisine American, english
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 12 hours
    Total Time 12 hours 10 minutes
    Servings 4 pints
    Calories 77kcal
    Author John Kanell

    Equipment

    • Crock Pot

    Ingredients

    • 6 pounds apples about 15 apples
    • 3/4 cup brown sugar
    • ½ cup granulated sugar
    • 1 tbsp cinnamon
    • ½ tsp nutmeg
    • ¼ tsp cloves
    • ½ tsp salt
    • 2 tsp vanilla extract

    Instructions

    • Peel and core your apples then slice into wedges.
    • Combine the granulated and brown sugars along with the salt and spices in a medium bowl then mix together and set aside.
    • Add the apples to your slow cooker then pour the sugar mixture over and mix to coat the apples. Cover and set slow cooker to 10 hours.
    • After 10 hours pour in your vanilla and mix then set to two hours, cooking uncovered to evaporate some liquid.
    • If you like chunky apple butter use a potato masher to break the apples down. For a totally smooth apple butter pulse in a food processor or immersion blender until desired consistency is reached.

    Notes

    • Taste your apples before adding them to your slow cooker. If they're super sweet you can decrease the sugar by 1/4 cup. If they're very flat you can add a squeeze of lemon juice. 
    • You can simmer the apple butter in a pot over low heat to reduce excess water if you want to have total control over consistency.
    • To make this on your stove instead of a slow  cooker add the ingredients to a large pot over medium-low heat and cook while stirring frequently for about an hour until the apples are softened then process the apples into a puree and continue to cook at medium low until they caramelize and thicken. 
    • Make sure to refrigerate containers if you aren't going through the canning process.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 4tbsp | Calories: 77kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 39mg | Potassium: 98mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 46IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg
    *Nutrition Disclaimer
    Have you Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @preppykitchen and tag #preppykitchen!
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    Thanks for stopping by! I’m John Kanell, a husband, dad to twins Lachlan and George, Los Angeles native, and an avid baker and cooker of all things delicious thanks to a life long education from my mother. This blog is where I share all of my kitchen creations!

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