Julie Clark
Posted: Updated:
Homemade Apple Butter Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.
A simple Homemade Apple Butter recipe that you can make in the slow cooker or Instant Pot. Use as a spread, a syrup or in your fall recipes. Instructions for canning included.
When the weather starts to cool and you see tips of orange, yellow and red on leaves, you can bet our whole house is filled with the aroma of baking apples and cinnamon.
One of the first recipes I make in the fall is this apple butter recipe. Not only is it easy, it fills your house with comforting fall aromas. It also is great to have on hand for many fall recipes such as cakes and pastries, which I’ll talk more about below. 😉
About this Apple Butter Recipe:
- Flavor: This apple sauce centers around two flavors: apples and cinnamon. Use both brown sugar and granulated sugar, but keep the amounts low to allow the natural apple flavor to shine through.
- Texture: Peel and core the apples for apple butter as smooth as it can be. Many leave peels on, but I prefer to peel the apples.
- Method: There are instructions for the slow cooker and Instant Pot below. As far as storage, we’ve added instructions for canning this apple butter, which you all have loved!
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Reader Amy says, “This is the third time I’m making this. My husband and I have it for breakfast everything morning on our 15 grain toast. It is wonderful! We are definitely hooked. I use Swerve sugar replacement (brown & granular) which has no affect on blood sugar and it tastes delicious.”
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Reader Stephanie says, “This is the most excellent flavored applebutter! Also, easy peasy recipe, I put in the crockpot for 12 hours, overnight and just blend it up in the morning.”
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Reader Alisha says, “I made this yesterday and it came out perfect. It was so perfect I went back to the store and bought a case of apples. Thanks. I wont ever be making jelly again. I love that it doesn’t have a ton of sugar.”
Table of Contents
- About this Apple Butter Recipe:
- What is the difference between applesauce and apple butter?
- What apples are best for apple butter?
- Ingredients
- How to Make Apple Butter in a Slow Cooker
- How to Make Apple Butter in an Instant Pot
- How to Make Apple Butter Smooth
- What can you make with apple butter?
- Storage Instructions
- How much does this recipe make?
- Homemade Apple Butter Recipe Recipe
- How to Can Apple Butter
What is the difference between applesauce and apple butter?
Both apple butter and apple sauce are slow cooked apples and spices. Apple butter is cooked longer than applesauce which creates a thick, smooth, intensely apple flavored spread.
What apples are best for apple butter?
For apple butter, we like to use Mcintosh, Fuji, Red Delicious or Gala because they are easy to find in our stores. Although Granny Smith are great for baking, they are not recommended for apple butter.
Also, some apples are sweeter than others. You can adjust how much sugar you use based on how sweet your apple is.
Ingredients
- Apples. Start with 6 ½ pounds of apples. Then peel and core them. This is enough apples to fill a 6 quart slow cooker.
- Brown sugar and white sugar. For the perfect sweetness and richness.
- Cinnamon. Yes, it is 1 ½ tablespoons cinnamon. This is how my family prefers it. Use less if you’d like.
- Salt.
- Vanilla extract. I used a bourbon vanilla extract. 🤤
How to Make Apple Butter in a Slow Cooker
There are 4 steps to making apple butter in the slow cooker.
- Prepare the apples. Peel, core and slice the apples. This is the tool you need.
- Add the apples and remaining ingredients to the slow cooker. Mix to coat.
- Cook on low for 10-12 hours.
- Use an immersion blender to blend the soft apples until the mixture is smooth.
BOOM! Apple Butter. It’s really that easy.
How to Make Apple Butter in an Instant Pot
There are 5 steps to making apple butter in the Instant Pot. It’s definitely the faster way!
- Prepare the apples. Peel, core and slice the apples.
- Add the apples and remaining ingredients to the IP liner (You’ll need to add ½ cup apple juice if using the IP so you don’t get the “burn” warning”. Mix to coat. (Save the vanilla to add at the end if using the Instant Pot.
- Seal and set for 15 minutes at high pressure. Allow to naturally release for 20 minutes.
- Use an immersion blender to blend the soft apples until the mixture is smooth.
- Set the IP to “sauté” and simmer the apple butter for 8-10 minutes until it is the desired thickness. Watch closely and stir often. It may bubble and splatter as it heats. If it does this, turn off the IP until it cools slightly, then turn it on again.
How to Make Apple Butter Smooth
When your crockpot apple butter is done, you can leave it slightly chunky, which is awesome for recipes, or you can put it through the blender or food processor (or use an immersion blender) and puree it until it is your desired consistency.
We made two batches. One we left chunky and made one batch perfectly smooth. You know…for those picky texture eaters.
What can you make with apple butter?
My first bite reminded me of applesauce with a bit of tang to it. I love how when I put this homemade apple butter on a piece of white, fluffy bread or toast, it completely changes the flavor! Instant, fall-flavored bread. You can put it in muffins & biscuits.
I also like to put this homemade apple butter on custard ice cream. Warm it slightly in the microwave and use it as a syrup on ice cream or fluffy pancakes or waffles. You can even put a spoonful on top of yogurt or over oven baked pork chops. It also makes a great addition to a September or October themed cheese board.
- Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls
- Apple Butter Streusel Muffins
- Apple Pie
- Apple Butter Buttercream Cupcakes
- Apple Butter Sheet Cake
Storage Instructions
Refrigerate the apple butter in an airtight container after it has cooled.
I like to freeze my apple butter because I have plenty of freezer space. Just spoon it into small, 1-cup freezer containers and pull them out as you need them!
Looking for how to can apple butter? Scroll down below the recipe card for our instructions.
How much does this recipe make?
This recipe ends up making between 2-3 pints of apple butter. The difference is how much you cook it down.
Homemade Apple Butter Recipe
A simple Homemade Apple Butter recipe that you can make in the slow cooker. Use as a spread, a syrup or in your fall recipes.
Servings 20
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 10 hours
Total Time 10 hours 25 minutes
Ingredients
- 6 1/2 pounds apples
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Slow Cooker Instructions:
- Peel, core and slice the apples.
- Place the apples in a slow cooker.
- Add the sugars, cinnamon, salt and vanilla to the crockpot. Mix well.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for about 10 hours, stirring every couple hours. The apple butter should be thick and dark brown.
- If desired, use a blender to blend the apple butter into a purée until smooth.
Instant Pot Instructions:
- Peel, core and slice the apples.
- Add the apples and remaining ingredients to the IP liner (You'll need to add ½ cup apple juice if using the IP so you don't get the "burn" warning". Mix to coat. (Save the vanilla to add at the end if using the Instant Pot.)
- Place the lid on and move valve to seal. Set for 15 minutes at high pressure. Allow to naturally release for 20 minutes.
- Use an immersion blender to blend the soft apples until the mixture is smooth.
- Set the IP to "sauté" and simmer the apple butter for 8-10 minutes until it is the desired thickness. Watch closely and stir often. It may bubble and splatter as it heats. If it does this, turn off the IP until it cools slightly, then turn it on again.
Storage Instructions
- Cover and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or freeze in small containers.
- See canning instructions below.
Video
Notes
Adjust the sugar to your liking.
For different flavor variations, add ground cloves or ground nutmeg along wit the cinnamon.
Many people have left reviews that they leave the peels on the apples. Feel free to do that if you’d like. We prefer the apples peeled.
Nutrition
Calories: 120kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 0.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.04g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 32mg | Potassium: 169mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 81IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 0.3mg
How to Can Apple Butter
Please note: I have the Presto 23-Quart Pressure Canner, so the instructions below are for this.
Prepare the Jars.
- This works best if you have everything at hand, ready to go. You’ll need mason jars, rings and lids.
- Clean the mason jars by running them through the dishwasher or washing with hot, soapy water. Rinse and drain on a drying rack.
- Place the rings and lids in a small saucepan and cover with water. Set the stovetop to low heat and bring the water with the rings/lids to a light simmer or steaming. Allow this to steam/simmer for 10 minutes. Don’t bring it to a full boil.
- Fill the jars with apple butter up to 1/2″ from the top of the jar.
- Use a clean towel or paper towel to dry the rim of the jars.Then take the hot lids/rings and place on of each on top, place the lid on the jar and tighten the ring around it.
Pressure Cook the Jars.
- It’s important to read and follow the instructions for the pressure canner that you have as each one might be slightly different. Place the canner rack in the canner and fill the canner with water up to the line indicated. There isn’t much water needed. Ours is just a few inches.
- Place the canner on the largest burner. Set the stovetop to medium-high heat. You want to process quart jars and pint jars separately since they take different amounts of time to process.
- Place the jars (ours takes up to 10 pints) in the canner. Place the lid on the pressure cooker and lock it into place. Leave the weighted gauge off for right now.
- Let the water boil inside until you see steam starting to come out of the steam spout. Once this happens, place the weighted gauge on the steam spout. At this time, the canner will start to pressurize.
- Allow the pressure to rise until the dial gets to 5 pounds of pressure. At that point, set the timer for 8 minutes for pints. Watch the pressure dial gauge closely. If it starts to rise above 5 pounds, lower the heat. If it starts to drop below 5 pounds, raise the heat. Keep it as close to 5 pounds as possible for the time interval needed.
- Once the time is up, turn off the heat, and allow the pressure to come to zero. Don’t touch the canner before that.
- Once the gauge is reading zero, take off the weighted gauge and then loosen the lid to open the canner. Do this carefully and keep your face away from it because there may be steam trapped.
- Use the jar lifters to lift each jar out of the canner. Be careful…they will be very hot!
- Place them on a wire rack to cool completely. You may hear the jars “pop” which means they are sealing.
- Allow the jars to cool completely, then check to make sure they are sealed.
I don’t see any liquid, other than the vanilla, did I miss it?
Is it necessary to cook for 10 hours
What does an old hippy drummer do between gigs? He cooks, bakes, cans, preserves, and has his friends scratching their heads–a rock drummer that cans and makes jams (the edible kind). Today, I found your website–don’t you ever go away! The gazillion year old apple tree outside our studio produced apples for the first time in 5 years, and I’m going crazy to get as many apples put away as I can. Thank you for the large print recipes and guidelines. Looking forward to checking out al the other recipes, ideas and advice. Just for the record, I’m a single… Read more »
Do you think I could use frozen apples for this recipe?
Hi, Just want to let you know that I made the apple butter, and it was the best. I Have been buying it ,but when I seen your recipe and it can be frozen, I tried it and it was a success already ate one jar on toast everyday. Thank u Mary PS. Went and bought myself a apple peeler to make more . HAHA
Delicious and I want to eat it all at once. Kiddos thought it was plate licking delicious.
Hi. My husband LOVES apple butter and I wanted to make this recipe for him. I was wondering if I could leave the skins on? What do you think the result would be? I’m also going to use coconut sugar for the brown sugar and monk fruit for the white sugar. Hope it works. He loves vanilla so I will keep that in. Just wondering about the skins. Would prefer to leave them on if it won’t ruin the consistency. Thoughts?
I’ve alreadhbmade this recipe once for my coworkers, and they were literally eating it OUT OF THE JAR! I was wondering if I could cook them on high for 5 hours instead? Of course I got started late… and now I’m in a pinch for time!
If I cut the recipe in half… should I also cut down cooking time.?
I just don’t have 6 lbs of apples…
This recipe sounds delight. I have some apples I am going to use for this recipe.I would like to know if I have to peel them and core them before I put them into the slow cooker. My hands are arthiritis so is difficult to do some of these things.
What to do if you don’t have a slow cooker? CAn I just put it on low for a very long time on the stove?
I am thinking of trying this recipe and wondering, is it possible to make this without removing the skins and cores? Just trying to cut down on labor and wondering if this would work. Thanks!
I made some using Granny smith and red and yellow delish, apples. didn’t need any sugar, but also tasted more like applesauce, so added some sugar and cooked longer and it was delishious. didn’t even need to blended cause with the extra cooking it was just as we liked
About how much does it make
What kind of apples are best to u for making applebutter?
Just made this today with some apples we picked at a local farm orchard. It was good I will definitely cut back on the sugar next time and maybe leave out the vanilla. I always try to make the recipes by the work the first time then tweak once I know what it’s like. Thanks for the recipe!