Apple Butter Recipe

This Apple Butter Recipe is a rich and spiced recipe, which is made with tart Granny Smith apples and a blend of warm spices. It’s the ultimate fall comfort food, ready in about an hour.

Jump to Recipe

Apple Butter Recipe Ingredients

• 3 lb. Granny Smith apples
• 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 Tbsp. apple pie spice (or pumpkin pie spice)
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

How To Make Apple Butter

1. Cook the Apples: Core the apples and cut them into wedges (no need to peel them). Place the apple pieces in a medium saucepot with the apple cider vinegar, salt, and water.
2. Simmer Until Tender: Set the pot over medium heat. Cover, leaving a small gap for steam to vent, and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. The apples are ready when they are extremely tender and most of the liquid has evaporated.
3. Create the Purée: Pass the cooked apple mixture through a food mill set over a large bowl to create a fine sauce and separate out the peels. (If you don’t have a food mill, peel the apples before cooking, and then purée the cooked apples in a blender until smooth).
4. Thicken the Butter: Place the apple sauce back into the pot over medium heat. Add the brown sugar, apple pie spice, and vanilla. Simmer, stirring every couple of minutes, for about 15 minutes, until the sauce thickens and turns a deep, dark brown.
5. Cool and Store: Let the apple butter cool completely. Store it in jars in the refrigerator or can it for long-term storage.

Recipe Tips

• What are the best apples to use? Tart, firm apples like Granny Smith are perfect because their flavor balances the sweetness of the sugar and they break down well. Other good cooking apples like Braeburn or McIntosh would also work.
• How do I know when the apple butter is done? It should be very thick, dark brown, and have a rich, concentrated flavor. A good test is to spoon a small amount onto a cold plate; it should hold its shape and not have a watery ring around the edge.
• Can I make this in a slow cooker? Yes, a slow cooker is a fantastic, hands-off way to make apple butter. After you purée the apples (step 3), place the sauce in a slow cooker with the sugar and spices. Cook on low, with the lid slightly ajar to allow steam to escape, for 4-6 hours, or until thick and dark.
• Can I adjust the spices? Absolutely. If you don’t have apple pie spice, you can create your own blend with cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and a pinch of ground cloves.

How to Use Apple Butter

This versatile spread is delicious in many ways beyond just toast:

• Spread on toast, biscuits, or scones
• Stir it into oatmeal or yogurt
• Use it as a glaze for pork chops or roasted chicken
• Serve it on a cheese board with sharp cheddar
• Use it as a filling for pastries or thumbprint cookies

How To Store Apple Butter

• Refrigerate: Once cooled, the apple butter can be stored in airtight containers or jars in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
• Canning for Long-Term Storage: For long-term storage, you can process the hot apple butter in sterilized canning jars in a water bath canner according to standard canning procedures.

Apple Butter Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 40-50 kcal per 2 tbsp serving
• Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 10g
• Protein: 0g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Try More Recipes:

• Apple Cinnamon Pancakes Recipe
• Apple Strudel Recipe
• Apple Spiced Pancakes Recipe