A delicious spread made from fresh apples. This apple butter is made from fresh apples, sugar and a touch of spices.
Homemade Apple Butter made two ways - on the stovetop or in a slow cooker. You pick the method that works best for you.
Making homemade apple butter
Apple butter has always been a special treat for us. When I was a kid it was my dad's favorite. We used to buy apple butter and give it to him for birthdays, Father's Day and even Christmas.
We obviously didn't get very creative but he always seemed to be surprised! Nowadays, I make homemade apple butter and Dad still gets it from time to time as a gift....hope I didn't spoil the next birthday surprise, Dad!
Apple butter does not contain any butter. None whatsoever! So why is it called apple butter? Apple butter is cooked until it is soft and creamy and spreads nice and smooth.
Sometimes I like to leave mine just ever so chunky, and sometimes I make it as smooth as butter - I just couldn't resist the play on words!
Apple butter can be used anyplace you use jam. I use it on toast, english muffins, on pancakes and I often use it in these oatmeal bars in place of the applesauce.
I made this recipe with about 18 medium sized apples. My crock pot has a 6 quart capacity. If yours is smaller, you will need to use fewer apples.
If you have a large amount of apples and a large stove top pot, you can increase the amount of apples you use. This recipe can be double if using the stove top method.
Apple butter in a slow cooker
- The slow cooker does all the work - well, almost all the work! You just add the ingredients and turn it on low.
- There's very little worry about the apple butter burning.
- You don't need to stir while it's cooking.
- The apple butter contains a lot of liquid from condensation, making it easy to puree.
Apple butter on the stove top
- The total amount of cook time is quicker than a slow cooker.
- You get a hands-on touch when using the stove stop.
- You can make a big, double batch, if you have a large pot.
- It's the way your grandmother made it!
You do need to core the apples, but I don't bother to peel them. In the end, everything is pureed and the skins are not noticeable.
Slow Cooker Method
Core and chop apples, no need to peel the apples
- Add apples to a slow cooker
- Add a small amount of water, sugar and spices and stir together.
- Put lid on and turn slow cooker to low. Cook for about 6 hours until apples are soft.
- Use an immersion blender to puree mixture.
Stove top method
- Place chopped apples in a pot along with a small amount of water.
- Cook over medium low heat for about one hour. Stir mixture often to avoid scorching.
- Add sugar and spices and stir.
- Continue cooking for an additional hour until apples are completely soft.
- Add ¼ cup of water to help thin mixture.
- Puree mixture with an immersion blender. Add additional water if too thick.
To store apple butter
Apple butter can be stored in the refrigerator or the freezer. You can also add to canning jars and process in a hot water bath.
If you are new to canning, you will want to read How to Water Bath Can.
To make this apple butter shelf stable:
- Place apple butter in clean canning jars
- Wipe rims and add lid and rings
- Place in a canning pot with water. The water should cover the jars and have at least one inch above the jars.
- Cover and bring to a boil. Process half-pints for 10 minutes and pints for 15 minutes. Be certain to adjust time for your elevation!
| Altitude Feet | Increase Processing Time |
|---|---|
| 1,001- 3,000 3,001- 6,000 6,001- 8,000 8,001-10,000 | 5 minutes 10 minutes 15 minutes 20 minutes |
More canning recipes
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Be certain to check out all my canning recipes.
Apple Butter
Equipment
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Stainless Steel Pot
- Immersion Blender
Ingredients
- 5 pounds apples
- 1 ¾ cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon cloves
Instructions
Stove Top Method
- Core and chop apples.5 pounds apples
- Place into a heavy stock pot with about ¼ cup of water in the base of pot.
- Heat on medium low heat until apples start to soften. Stir apples to prevent scorching.
- After about one hour, add sugar, cinnamon, and cloves.1 ¾ cups sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ⅛ teaspoon cloves
- After another hour, puree mixture with an immersion blender. Add ¼ cup of water if mixture is too thick.
- Ladle into canning jars and process in hot water bath or freeze in freezer safe containers.
Slow Cooker Method
- Core and chop apples.
- Place in a slow cooker along with water, sugar and spices. Stir to combine.
- Set slow cooker to low heat. Cover and let cook for 6 hours.
- Puree mixture with an immersion blender.
- If mixture is too soupy, turn slow cooker to high and remove lid. Let cook for an additional 30 minutes.
Notes
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Tammy says
Do we need to add pectin ?
Kathy says
No, you do not need to add pectin. The apples will thicken as they break down and cook.
Let me know how it turns out!
Kathy 🙂
Mary says
Do I need to add lemon juice or anything else to preserve it when canning?
Kathy says
Hi Mary,
Nothing else is needed to preserve for canning.
Enjoy 🙂
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
I've never made my own apple butter before, so clearly I've been missing out. Looks absolutely delicious, Kathy! Love how creamy it is 🙂 Pinned!
Kathy says
Thanks, Dawn! It not only tastes delicious, it smells amazing while it's cooking too!
Valentina says
I love, love apple butter! This one is so rich, creamy and smooth. Yes please! 🙂 ~Valentina
Kelly | Foodtasia says
Kathy, I haven't had apple butter in ages, since I was last out in Amish country. It's sooo delicious and now you've got me craving it! It must smell wonderful while it's cooking!
Jeff the Chef says
My mom used to make toast slathered with apple butter for my siblings and me when we were kids. I've never made it myself and I had no idea that you could incorporate the skins! That woud make things so easy. Thanks for the recipe.
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
That looks incredibly rich, delicious and such a perfect way to use the season's apple! Love it! Bet this would be lovely on some buttery toast for breakfast! Pinned 🙂 Happy weekend, my friend!
Fred G says
Apple butter is one of my favorites
Katie Crenshaw says
I love Apple Butter in the Fall! I have never made it. You make it sound simple to make. I will give it a try. Thank you for the recipe!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Oh, I love apple butter! It is sooo good on everything, and equally delicious just devoured plain by the spoonful! Yours looks scrumptious! I LOVE that you kept it relatively chunky! Perfection, my dear! Cheers to a beautiful day!
Kathy says
I tend to lick the spoon whenever I scoop some out!
Ami@NaiveCookCooks says
Kathy it was sort of same with us too growing up! We used to give our dad neck ties and handkerchiefs, I know how unique 😛 but he would always have a big smile on his face!!
Now I love apple butter but have never made it from scratch so that needs to change!
Kathy says
You definitely need to give it a try!
David @ Spiced says
This sounds incredible, Kathy! I remember when I was a much-younger version of myself I thought that apple butter was literally that. Apple-flavored butter. I was so confused when I opened the jar! I love using apple butter in baked goods now...so good!!
Kathy says
Makes sense....I always wonder about how things got named.
Laura ~ Raise Your Garden says
Kathy ~ I honestly think I can smell the apple butter wafting out of your kitchen. And I'm ready to make my own! This is super easy and unlike making dinner, sounds fun to do! My 3 year old and I have a project for tomorrow =) And giving this to dad as a bonus spin gift sounds like a great idea!
Kathy says
Ah.....Dad will love it! Enjoy!
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
Apple butter looks delicious, Kathy. Love that you made it chunky. Perfect spread.
Kathy says
It is super delicious!