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Homemade Apple Butter Recipe

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  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8–12 hours (slow cooker) or 2–3 hours (stovetop)
  • Total Time: Varies by method, approx. 10–12 hours slow cooker or 2.5–3.5 hours stovetop
  • Yield: About 4 cups
  • Category: Spread, Condiment
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

This homemade Apple Butter recipe is a deliciously spiced, smooth spread made from slow-cooked or stovetop-cooked apples. It’s naturally sweetened with granulated and brown sugar, enhanced with warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, and finished with a touch of vanilla extract. Perfect for spreading on toast, biscuits, pancakes, or swirling into oatmeal or yogurt, this apple butter captures the essence of fall in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Apple Butter Ingredients

  • 6 pounds apples (such as Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp, peeled, cored, and chopped)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup apple cider or water (optional, for slow cooker method)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Apples and Ingredients: Peel, core, and chop 6 pounds of apples. Measure out the sugars, spices, salt, and vanilla extract to have them ready for use.
  2. Slow Cooker Method Initial Cooking: Place the chopped apples into a slow cooker. Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. Stir to coat the apples evenly. Cover and cook on low for 10 hours or high for 6 hours, stirring occasionally until the apples become very soft and dark brown.
  3. Blend the Apple Mixture: Use an immersion blender to puree the cooked apples directly in the slow cooker until smooth, or carefully transfer the mixture in batches to a blender to puree.
  4. Thicken the Apple Butter: Remove the lid and cook uncovered on low in the slow cooker for another 1–2 hours, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your desired consistency.
  5. Add Vanilla and Final Stir: Stir in the vanilla extract during the last 15 minutes of cooking to infuse the flavor evenly throughout the apple butter.
  6. Stovetop Method Cooking: Alternatively, place chopped apples, sugars, spices, salt, and 1/2 cup water or apple cider in a large pot. Cook over medium-low heat for 2–3 hours, stirring often to prevent burning, until apples are completely broken down and thickened.
  7. Blend for Smooth Texture (Stovetop): Use an immersion blender or transfer the cooked apples in batches to a blender to puree until smooth.
  8. Finish with Vanilla (Stovetop): Stir in vanilla extract thoroughly after blending.
  9. Cooling and Storage: Let the apple butter cool completely. Transfer to jars and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks or freeze for longer storage.

Notes

  • The longer the apple butter cooks, the deeper and richer the flavor becomes.
  • Apple butter is excellent served as a spread on toast, biscuits, and pancakes or swirled into oatmeal and yogurt for added flavor and sweetness.
  • When using the stovetop method, stirring often is important to prevent the apple mixture from burning on the bottom of the pot.
  • Use a variety of sweet apples like Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp for the best natural sweetness and flavor.

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Find it online: https://easycookingmadefun.com/homemade-apple-butter-recipe/