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We’re always looking for ways to use up our apple-picking haul, and this apple butter recipe is one of our favorite apple recipes. Here’s why:
- Perfect Fall Flavors: The combination of fresh apples and fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves is a match made in heaven, as in our Upside Down Apple French Toast Bake!
- No Preservatives: We love making our own spreads and sauces because we know exactly what goes into them. This apple butter is all-natural, like our Homemade Cranberry Sauce.
- Goes Well with Everything: Spread it on toast, muffins, pancakes, waffles, or use it in place of jelly in a PB&J—the possibilities are endless.
- Great for Gifting: Need a thoughtful gift for a friend or neighbor? A jar of this apple butter is just the thing, like our Lemon Curd.
- Make-Ahead: This apple butter will keep in the fridge for several weeks, so you can easily make it in advance.
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Apples—The star of our recipe, apples, are rich in natural pectin, which helps to thicken the apple butter as it cooks. We recommend using a mix of sweet and tart apples for a more complex flavor.
- Light Brown Sugar—We use light brown sugar to sweeten the apple butter and add a subtle caramel note. Make sure to pack it lightly for the right amount of sweetness.
- Ground Cinnamon—Cinnamon is a classic spice that pairs beautifully with apples. It adds warmth and depth to the apple butter.
- Ground Nutmeg and Cloves—These two spices are used in small amounts to add a hint of earthiness and warmth to the apple butter. Be sure to use freshly ground nutmeg for the best flavor.
Substitutions and Variations
This homemade apple butter recipe is already pretty perfect, but here are a few variations and substitutions to try:- Apples: You can use any variety of apples, we love mixing sweet and tart apples for a well-balanced flavor. You can also try this recipe with pears or a combination of apples and pears.
- Spices: The combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves gives this apple butter its classic flavor, but you can definitely play around with the spices. Try adding a dash of allspice, cardamom, or even a bit of ground ginger.
- Extract: You can omit the vanilla extract, or substitute it with almond extract for a different flavor profile.
How To Prep Ahead
Take a look at some of our favorite prep-ahead strategies for this apple butter recipe:- Prep Apples Beforehand: You can save time on the day of cooking by prepping the apples ahead of time. Peel, core, and slice the apples, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to use them.
- Premix Spices: Sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt can be pre-mixed and stored in an airtight container at room temperature several days in advance.
- Entirely Make Ahead: Apple butter will keep in the fridge for several weeks in an airtight container, such as a mason jar. So feel free to make it entirely in advance for when the craving strikes!
Amy Dong
Apple Butter
Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 12 hours Total Time: 12 hours 5 minutesServes 40
- 6 pounds apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1 1/2 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon table salt
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
Uncover and stir in vanilla. Continue cooking, uncovered, for 2 more hours on low.
Either use an immersion blender or transfer apple butter to a blender. Puree just until smooth and creamy. Transfer to clean jars, cover, and keep chilled for several weeks.
Notes
- Mix and match apple varieties for a more complex and balanced flavor in your apple butter. We love Honeycrisp, Fuji, Golden Delicious, McIntosh, or Braeburn.
- Servings are an estimate; this recipe makes roughly 4 to 5 cups. The amount of servings vary, depending on how you use it.
- Use apple butter on toast, English muffins, pancakes, or stirred into oatmeal.
- Apple butter will keep in the fridge for several weeks in an airtight container, such as a mason jar.
