This recipe for learning how to make apple butter will uplevel your toast, pancake, waffle, and muffin game!
Fresh apples, cider, fragrant spices, brown sugar, and a pinch of vanilla are slow-cooked into a sweet and creamy spread that’s so easy to make and goes with everything!
Once you’ve made homemade apple butter, you’ll want to keep it on hand all the time!
![Want to learn how to make apple butter? Follow this simple recipe and be amazed at how easy it is! Apples of choice are cooked on the stovetop, or in the crock pot, with spices, brown sugar, and vanilla. Then everything is blended and cooked longer until darkened and caramelized. Homemade apple butter makes a creamy low fat bread spread or accompaniment for pork or turkey. #howtomakeapplebutter #recipeforapplebutter #homemadeapplebutter #ourzestylife plated Apple Butter](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Apple-Butter-OurZestyLife-7-1.jpg)
What is Apple Butter?
- Homemade apple butter is essentially applesauce, that’s been richly seasoned and cooked down until it’s very thick and spreadable. The sugar and the apples become caramelized and the ‘butter’ turns dark brown.
- Vegetarians, vegans, and those watching their fat intake love apple butter for its all-natural ingredients and its versatility! Use it in place of peanut butter or other seed butters, jam, or preserves on your favorite baked goods.
- One pot apple butter can also be made in a crock pot on low heat, just set it and forget it! Make a batch for home and a batch to give!
![If you love preservative-free and low fat, then this is the recipe for learning how to make apple butter! Roughly chop a few pounds of fresh, peeled apples, and cook them with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and vanilla until creamy and carmelized. Homemade apple butter will make pies, or cake recipes even better! Canning apple butter for gifts is a great way to show a hostess you care! #howtomakeapplebutter #recipeforapplebutter #homemadeapplebutter #ourzestylife apple cider , apples , brown sugar , vanilla , lemon juice , cinnamon , nutmeg and cloves with labels to make Apple Butter](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IG-Apple-Butter-2-OurZestyLife.jpg)
What’s in Apple Butter?
Apples: Any variety of apples works for apple butter. Varieties like Red or Golden Delicious will produce a sweeter butter, while Granny Smiths or Fuji’s will yield a tangier butter. Feel free to mix and match and use whatever apples are on sale or in season! Look for naturally sweetened apple cider for a lower-sugar version.
Sugar: Brown sugar helps thicken and sweeten apple butter. Use an alternative brown sugar sweetener, maple syrup, or honey, if desired.
Seasonings: This recipe is all about the spices! Nutmeg and cloves add depth of flavor and fragrance to apple butter. Cinnamon and allspice are also good additions to apple butter.
Variations: For a festive apple butter, mix in leftover homemade cranberry orange sauce, mashed bananas, or sugar-free strawberry jam. Bump up the seasonings and add a dash or two of homemade apple pie spice for an extra aromatic apple butter!
![Store bought apple butter will be a thing of the past once you learn how to make apple butter with this easy method! Apples are cooked with warming spices, brown sugar, and vanilla until soft, caramelized, and darkened. Homemade apple butter is a gorgeously delicious spread, condiment for meats, or ingredient in pies and cakes. Creamy, sweet, and super versatile. #howtomakeapplebutter #recipeforapplebutter #homemadeapplebutter #ourzestylife adding spices to apples to make Apple Butter](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Apple-Butter-OurZestyLife-2-1.jpg)
![Learn how to make apple butter and use up the bounty of fall apples. Pick your favorite variety of apples, then cook with brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and other warming spices until soft. Blend into a creamy spreadable consistency and add to pie fillings, cakes or in cranberry sauce nestled on a plate with roast pork or turkey! #howtomakeapplebutter #recipeforapplebutter #homemadeapplebutter #ourzestylife cooked apples and brown sugar mixture](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Apple-Butter-OurZestyLife-3-1.jpg)
![Learn how to make apple butter with this easy recipe! Apples of choice are cooked with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and vanilla for a richly flavored, yet low or no fat bread spread! This recipe for apple butter is not only simple, but it makes an excellent ingredient in pie or cake recipes. Try it in place of eggs in baked goods! Processed apple butter in mason jars makes a great gift! #howtomakeapplebutter #recipeforapplebutter #homemadeapplebutter #ourzestylife blending apples with ingredients to make Apple Butter](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Apple-Butter-OurZestyLife-4-1.jpg)
![Don’t buy the pricey and preservative-laden version of apple butter from the store, when you can learn how to make apple butter right at home! Apples are cooked with warm spices, brown sugar, and vanilla until carmelized to a rich brown. It’s blended to a creamy consistency to make a truly delicious spread! Make it the crock pot on low heat and set and forget! This recipe for apple butter can be adapted for canning or freezing. #howtomakeapplebutter #recipeforapplebutter #homemadeapplebutter #ourzestylife finished Apple Butter in the pot](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Apple-Butter-OurZestyLife-5-1.jpg)
How to Make Apple Butter
Once you’ve made homemade apple butter, you’ll want to keep it on hand all the time!
- Prep apples as directed in recipe below.
- Place all ingredients (except vanilla) in a large pot and cook on medium-low until the apples are soft.
- Puree the apple mixture until smooth.
- Cook until the apple butter is thickened and amber-brown in color. Add vanilla and serve or store.
In a Crock Pot
- Use only 1/4 cup of apple cider.
- Stir all ingredients in a crock pot.
- Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours.
- Blend until smooth and cook until thickened to your preference.
![Love preservative-free and low fat recipes? Then learning how to make apple butter is for you! Chop a few pounds of fresh, apples, and cook them with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and vanilla until creamy and carmelized. This versatile homemade apple butter is perfect added to pie or cake recipes, use as a spread, or even a condiment with pork or turkey! #howtomakeapplebutter #recipeforapplebutter #homemadeapplebutter #ourzestylife taking a spoonful of Apple Butter our of the jar](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Apple-Butter-OurZestyLife-9-1.jpg)
Ways to Use Apple Butter
Apple butter is perfect to serve on top of homemade quick breads like pumpkin zucchini, or fresh pear bread. Use it as a healthier alternative to frosting on an apple bundt cake or serve it as a condiment next to a baked pork tenderloin. It’s also excellent used as a topping for ice cream, French toast , and even swirled into a smoothie.
Storing Apple Butter
- Keep apple butter in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to a month or freeze in zippered bags 4-6 months.
- Canning Method: Pour apple butter into prepared jars and process for 15 minutes (adjust for altitude) in a pot brought to a rolling boil. Remove and let cool for 24 hours before removing rings and storing for up to a year.
![Have extra apples? With this easy recipe you will learn how to make apple butter in no time! And this preservative-free recipe is one you can feel happy serving your family or friends. Apples are cooked with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and other spices until soft. Then blended into a creamy low fat spread. Use it in many ways such as a spread, condiment with pork or turkey, or as an ingredient in other recipes! #howtomakeapplebutter #recipeforapplebutter #homemadeapplebutter #ourzestylife close up of Apple Butter on a spoon](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Apple-Butter-OurZestyLife-8-1.jpg)
More Spreadable Treats!
Have you tried this Apple Butter recipe? Leave a comment and rating below!
![plated Apple Butter](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Apple-Butter-OurZestyLife-7-1-500x500.jpg)
Apple Butter
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 pounds apples
- 1 cup apple cider
- ⅔ cup brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice , fresh preferred, about ½ lemon
- 1 Tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves , optional
- 1 teaspoon vanilla , or to taste, optional
Instructions
- Peel apples if desired. Cut and core apples.
- In a large Dutch oven or pot, add apples, cider, brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves if using. Cover and cook on medium-low for 25-30 minutes, or until apples are soft, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat. Using an immersion blender, puree until applesauce reaches a smooth consistency. Alternatively, use a blender. Use caution and blend in small batches if using a blender when the apples are hot.
- Return to medium-low to low heat and cook for 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until reduced, and the color is a deep amber. Remove from the heat and add vanilla.
- Refrigerate in an airtight container.
Notes
- Makes about 4 cups
- Refrigerate apple butter in a covered container for up to a month. Freeze in zippered freezer safe bags for 4-6 months.
- Canning Method: Pour apple butter into prepared jars and process for 15 minutes (adjust for altitude). Remove and cool on the counter top for 24 hours before storing. Remove rings before storing.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.
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![Once you learn how to make apple butter, you’ll never want to buy it again. Peeled apples are cooked with warming spices, brown sugar, and vanilla until soft, caramelized, and darkened. Creamy, sweet, and spicy apple butter is a gorgeously delicious spread, or condiment for pork and other meats! Use as an ingredient in pies and cakes. Slow cook in a crock pot and set and forget! #howtomakeapplebutter #recipeforapplebutter #homemadeapplebutter #ourzestylife recipe for Apple Butter in a jar](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/SP-Apple-Butter-2-OurZestyLife.jpg)
![When apples are in season or on sale, why not learn this easy recipe for how to make apple butter? Peeled apples in the variety of your choice are cooked with brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and other warming spices until soft, then blended into a creamy spreadable consistency. Add to pie fillings, cakes or in cranberry sauce nestled on a plate with pork or turkey! #howtomakeapplebutter #recipeforapplebutter #homemadeapplebutter #ourzestylife Apple Butter recipe in jars](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/SP-Apple-Butter-2-OurZestyLife-2.jpg)
![Yes, you can learn how to make apple butter with this easy recipe! Peeled and chopped apples are cooked with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and vanilla for a richly flavored, yet low or no fat bread spread! Homemade apple butter is also an excellent ingredient in pies, or cake recipes. Try it in place of eggs in baked goods! Canning apple butter in glass jars for gifts is also an option! #howtomakeapplebutter #recipeforapplebutter #homemadeapplebutter #ourzestylife jar of Apple Butter with writing](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/NP-Apple-Butter-2-OurZestyLife-2.jpg)
![Learn how to make homemade apple butter and forget the pricey and preservative-laden version from the store! Fresh apples are cooked with warming spices, brown sugar, and vanilla until carmelized to a rich brown, then blended to a creamy consistency. For maximum ease, make it the crock pot on low heat and set and forget! This recipe for apple butter is adaptable for canning or the freezer. #howtomakeapplebutter #recipeforapplebutter #homemadeapplebutter #ourzestylife spoonfull of Apple Butter with writing](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/NP-Apple-Butter-2-OurZestyLife-1.jpg)
![This is the perfect recipe for learning how to make apple butter! Peeled fresh apples are softened on the stovetop or in the crock pot with warming spices, brown sugar, and vanilla. Then they are blended and cooked some more until darkened and caramelized. Homemade apple butter is a creamy low fat bread spread, or accompaniment for pork or turkey. Use in in cake recipes in place of eggs, or to sweeten pie filling. #howtomakeapplebutter #recipeforapplebutter #homemadeapplebutter #ourzestylife Apple Butter in the pot and in a jar with a title](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/LP-Apple-Butter-2-OurZestyLife-2.jpg)
![Stock up on apples and learn this easy recipe for how to make apple butter! In this easy preservative-free recipe, peeled apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and other warming spices until soft. Then they are blended into a creamy spread that has the added bonus of being low fat! Use to enhance pie and pastry fillings, or mix with cranberry sauce to go with pork or turkey! #howtomakeapplebutter #recipeforapplebutter #homemadeapplebutter #ourzestylife spoon and jar full of Apple Butter with text](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/LP-Apple-Butter-2-OurZestyLife-1.jpg)
Adapted from Spend With Pennies