Julie Clark
Posted: Updated:
Homemade Apple Butter Recipe
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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! It’s one of the best apple recipes to make during the fall.
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Is it officially fall yet? The leaves are not yet turning orange and red, but last week our whole house was filled with the aroma of baking apples and cinnamon. Who needs an official date? Fall was happening
Who needs an official date for it to be considered fall? Fall was happening a week ago on my radar.
Fall is my absolute favorite time of year. You’ll find me huddled around a campfire, drinking warm apple cider…what could be better than that?
Well, maybe this.
I really don’t know what to say about this crockpot Apple Butter besides it’s really easy and it is unbelievably good. It’s one of those things that you take a spoonful of and say, “This could go in soooo many recipes!”
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, intense 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.
How to Make Apple Butter
To make homemade apple butter, all you have to do is stick some apples in a crock pot with brown sugar, white sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and a dash of salt. Let it sit there all day, stirring occasionally, and BOOM! Apple Butter. It’s really that easy.
How to Make Apple Butter Smooth
When your apple butter has slow-cooked all day, you can leave it slightly chunky, which is awesome for recipes, or you can put it through the blender (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 do you do 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. Because, why not?
- Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls
- Apple Butter Streusel Muffins
- Apple Butter 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!
I’ve never canned this apple butter before, but if you know how to can, I’m sure it would work well.
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 peeled, cored and sliced
- 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
- 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.
- Cover and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or freeze in small containers.
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 | Sodium: 32mg | Potassium: 167mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 80IU | Vitamin C: 6.8mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 0.3mg
Adapted from My Baking Addiction
Hi and thank you for the recipe !
Was just Wondering what Apples you used in this
Recipe so as to not have it too sweet. I realize to each their own but … in general. Also what other apples you have used and how you have adjusted the sugar accordingly. This would be extremely helpful as I would prefer not to trial and error
Something that takes over 10 hours . 🙂 Thank you again 🙏looking forward to making this !
What type of apples do you recommend?
I would like to use this for thanksgiving favors for everyone. Do I have to refrigerate or can I store them in jars at room temperature? I know that it needs to be refrigerated after they have been opened.
Thank you
Is it 6 1/2 lbs before or after peeling and coreing?
I want to make this recipe but your recipe says to use 6 1/2 pounds of apples. How many apples is 6 1/2 pounds?
Just wanted to say thank you and Happy Holidays!. I used your recipe as a base and added apple pie spice, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg, along with a little water in a 10q pressure cooker. Cooked for 1 hour, the left to sit on simmer overnight. I’ve been making this now for several months and everyone loves it!
Apple butter was a given at breakfast growing up—especially in the fall! This delicious recipe reminds me of my childhood!
Easy to follow recipe and turned out delicious. I add pears to my apples and made apple pear butter.
Can this be made on the stovetop, if so what is the cooking time? Thank you
Just made this! Scaled it down to use up ~ 1-1/2 lbs Pink Lady apples. Did have to add just a little more sugar at the end to balance the tart tang, but then it was just right! Soooo good and easy! Used it on homemade buttermilk biscuits and everyone loved. Going to try it on pancakes tomorrow. So versatile
Can I cook my small apples with the peels on and strain after
Does anybody now how long they will last in the freezer?
When canning your slow cooker apple butter.
Do you hot bath for 10 minutes?
I made this today and love it. The recipe is easy to follow and turned out great.
Made this morning and it is beyond yummy. Finished product was smooth, thick and a beautiful brown, caramel color. Will definetly do this again to give to neighbors with some homemade fresh bread