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Home » Canning » Apple Butter

Published: Oct 24, 2019 · Modified: Sep 20, 2021 by Kathy · This post may contain affiliate links

Apple Butter

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A glass jar filled with smooth apple butter.

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 stove top and in a slow cooker. You pick the method that works best for you.

A glass crock filled with brown apple butter.
Table of Contents
Making homemade apple butter
Apple butter in a slow cooker
Apple butter on the stove top
Slow Cooker Method
Stove top method
To store apple butter
Apple Butter

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. 

English muffin topped with apple butter.

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!
Apples being cored and sitting on a cutting board.

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

Chopped apples in a slow cooker.
  • 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

Chopped apples in a black pot.
  • 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.
  • Cooked apples topped with sugar and cinnamon in a black pot.
  • A crock pot full of cooked apples.
  • 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.
Pureeing a mixture with an immersion blender.

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.

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 FeetIncrease 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
Apple butter in glass canning jars next to two red apples.

More canning recipes you might want to try:

  • Canned apple pie filling
  • Blackberry jam
  • Apricot jam
  • Pickles
Apple butter in a glass crock.

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.

  • Canning Carrots
  • How to Can Chili
  • How to Use a Pressure Canner
  • Canning Dried Beans
A glass crock filled with brown apple butter.

Apple Butter

Kathy
Homemade apple butter made in a slow cooker or on the stove top.
5 from 11 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 2 hrs
Total Time 2 hrs 30 mins
Course canning, Condiment
Cuisine American
Servings 10 cups
Calories 34.16 kcal

Equipment

  • Measuring Cups
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Stainless Steel Pot
  • Immersion Blender
Prevent your screen from going dark

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

Apple butter may be stored in the refrigerator, freezer or canned and processed in canning jars. 
Recipe may be doubled or halved.

Nutrition

Serving: 2TablespoonsCalories: 34.16kcalCarbohydrates: 8.94gProtein: 0.07gFat: 0.05gSaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 0.34mgPotassium: 30.33mgFiber: 0.69gSugar: 7.94gVitamin A: 15.31IUVitamin C: 1.3mgCalcium: 1.95mgIron: 0.04mg
Keyword apple butter, apple jam
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Comments

  1. Kelly | Foodtasia says

    October 27, 2019 at 9:06 am

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
  2. Jeff the Chef says

    October 26, 2019 at 6:50 am

    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.

    Reply
  3. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

    October 25, 2019 at 9:47 am

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
  4. Fred G says

    November 05, 2018 at 5:48 am

    5 stars
    Apple butter is one of my favorites

    Reply
  5. Katie Crenshaw says

    October 04, 2016 at 4:55 pm

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
  6. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

    October 22, 2015 at 7:09 am

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      October 23, 2015 at 5:01 am

      I tend to lick the spoon whenever I scoop some out!

      Reply
  7. Ami@NaiveCookCooks says

    October 22, 2015 at 5:47 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      October 23, 2015 at 5:02 am

      You definitely need to give it a try!

      Reply
  8. David @ Spiced says

    October 22, 2015 at 5:03 am

    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!!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      October 22, 2015 at 5:19 am

      Makes sense....I always wonder about how things got named.

      Reply
  9. Laura ~ Raise Your Garden says

    October 21, 2015 at 5:29 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      October 21, 2015 at 5:58 pm

      Ah.....Dad will love it! Enjoy!

      Reply
  10. Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says

    October 21, 2015 at 8:17 am

    Apple butter looks delicious, Kathy. Love that you made it chunky. Perfect spread.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      October 21, 2015 at 5:58 pm

      It is super delicious!

      Reply
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I'm Kathy, a busy working mom who loves to cook from scratch, grow a garden, and raise farm animals. Take a look around and find all my recipes, gardening tips, and country living antics..

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