Name: Homemade Apple Butter
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 137 min
Yield: 32 servings (approx. 4 cups))
Ingredients: 4 lbs apples ((about 9 apples - I used cortland and granny smith)); 1 cup apple cider; 2 tsp vanilla extract; 3/4 cup coconut sugar; 1 tbsp cinnamon; 1/2 tsp cloves; 1/2 tsp cardamom ((optional)); 1/4 tsp sea salt

Sharing this easy recipe for how to make homemade apple butter. Because it’s apple season baby, and we don’t want any of that sweet fruit going to waste!

This apple butter is a thick and smooth spread, with caramel and fall-spice flavours. It’s the perfect spread for toast, baked goods like my Apple Crumble bars, or on top of porridge oats.

Making apple butter is a great way to use up all those freshly picked apples. For a sweet spread you can enjoy like jam. And, with only 8 ingredients it’s quite straight forward.

So, here’s how to make your own apple butter

The ingredients:

The ingredients for this recipe is simple and straight forward. And likely you have most of them in your pantry. The only thing you might be missing is loads of apples. Fortunately it’s apple picking season, and they’re going for a dime a dozen. So why not get an adventure and a good recipe out of this wonderful fall season? Plus, it’s a great way to use any sad looking apples that might be past their prime, if you’ve stocked up too many.

Here’s what you’ll need:

4 lbs apples (I like a mix of cortland and granny smith) – about 9 apples total
apple cider (I’m talking about the juice, not the vinegar)
cinnamon
cloves
cardamom (optional)
sea salt
vanilla

As you can see there isn’t any special ingredients in this recipe, nor any special equipment. All you need is a big pot to throw everything in. Which is why I have stamped this recipe as newbie cook approved.

What is apple butter? How is it different from apple sauce?

So you might be wondering how apple butter differs from apple sauce? Apple butter is a more condensed thicker version of apple sauce, with fall spices like cinnamon and cloves and a little sweetener for a more dessert-y spread. But like apple sauce, it’s good enough to eat with a spoon!

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How to make apple butter

The process for making apple butter is quite simple. It begins by slicing your apples into thin slices (no need to skin them), but discard the core. Then cook the sliced apple in a giant pot with apple cider and remaining ingredients. You want to cook long enough for the apples to soften and break apart. Which takes about one hour. However, the thinner you slice the apples the quicker they will cook.

Next you will puree the apples with a mixer or a hand blender until smooth. Put back on the stovetop on low heat for another 40-minutes to one hour for it to really thicken into a spread like texture.

What to eat with homemade apple butter?

I like to think of apple butter as an alternative to jam. Spread it on toast, or add a spoonful to oatmeal or rice pudding. It’s so very cozy. You can also use it in baked goods like my Apple Crumble Bars.

How long does homemade apple butter last?

I’d recommend to eat this apple butter within in a month, and keep it in the fridge in a tightly sealed container. Unlike store bought brands, homemade apple butter doesn’t have any preservatives in it, which means its shelf life is shorter. However a month is not so bad!

You can also freeze your apple butter for longer storage. It will remain tasting fresh for about a year. Or, if you properly seal it in a sterile jar, it will last indefinitely.

A few tips for this recipe

The type of apple you use will effect the taste of your apple butter. You can use any combo of apples you like, but I prefer more tart cooking apples, like cortland and granny smith.

To reduce cook time, slice the apples thin.

You do not need to remove the skin from your apples before cooking, in fact it will help to bring more flavour to the apple butter. But I do recommend to remove the core and the seeds.

After pureeing the apples, we will put back on the stove top on low heat to thicken. I recommend to cover the saucepan with a lid as it will spit as it thickens. Be sure to keep on the lowest heat as well so as not to burn it. Check every 10-15 minutes, and give it a quick stir.

Other recipes you might like:

If you’re digging this recipe for my homemade apple butter you might also like these apple inspired recipes:

Shop my kitchen:

I’m often asked what items I like to use in the kitchen. So, I’ve included my favourites for making this homemade apple butter. You can find more of my favourite kitchen items on the shop page.

(Commissions earned as an affiliate. I only recommend products I know and love).

Cuisinart 7 Qt Round Casserole, Covered, Enameled Provencial Blue

The pot used to cook the apples in this recipe

Le Creuset of America Craft Series 5Piece Utensil Set with Crock -Soleil

This is the set of spatulas I have. iIt comes with the pot holder. Great for scooping every last bit of the apple butter for canning. I used the big one.

So there we have it. A simple and straight forward recipe to make your own homemade apple butter. And a perfect way to use an abundance of apples. I think you’re going to love this apple butter as a delicious spread for your morning brekkie. And, if you do make this recipe please let me know in the comments below what you think! I love hearing from you. And of course, tag me on Instagram with the hashtag #twospoons. Nothing makes me happier than to see your recreations.

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Homemade Apple Butter

Sweet and desserty, this homemade apple butter is rich with caramel flavours and fall spice. Use like jam and spread onto toast, or a spoonful in oatmeal or rice pudding. Or, use in fall-inspired baked goods.

Category Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine gluten-free, vegan

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 2 hours

Total Time 2 hours 17 minutes

Servings servings (approx. 4 cups))

Author Hannah Sunderani

Ingredients

4 lbs apples (about 9 apples - I used cortland and granny smith)
1 cup apple cider
2 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup coconut sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp cardamom (optional)
1/4 tsp sea salt

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Thinly slice apples and remove core (no need to peel). Add to a large pot with apple cider, vanilla extract, coconut sugar, cinnamon, cloves, cardomom and sea salt. Bring to a simmer and cook apples until very soft. (approx. 1 hour)
Blend apples in stand mixer or with hand blender. Add back to pot on low heat. Cover with lid and warm apple mixture until thick and spreadable in texture. (40 minutes to one hour). Check every 10-15 minutes and stir. When ready remove from heat and let apple butter cool entirely. Then transfer to jars and keep in the fridge

Notes

To speed the cooking process, slice your apples very thin. The thinner you slice your apples the quicker they will soften.

When warming apples after pureeing, I like to cover with a lid as it will spit as it thickens. Be careful when checking on it. Keep on low heat so as not to burn it.

I'd recommend to eat this apple butter within in a month, and keep it in the fridge in a tightly sealed container. Unlike store bought brands, homemade apple butter doesn't have any preservatives in it, which means its shelf life is shorter. However a month is not so bad!

You can also freeze your apple butter for longer storage. It will remain tasting fresh for about a year. Or, if you properly seal it in a sterile jar, it will last indefinitely.