This homemade apple butter is the perfect way to use up all those apples from your trip to the apple orchard. Rich and creamy, this spread has hints of cinnamon and is delicious on toast for breakfast.
Labor Day weekend our family took a trip to the apple orchard. It would be an understatement to say that I was pumped. My enthusiasm for the orchard was somewhat dampened by the hot weather, but we still had a fun time. We picked a half peck of Jonagold and Courtland apples to use for baking. At the time, this seemed like quite a great deal. That was until we got home and I realized that we (and by we, I mean I) had 50+ apples that needed to be used, rather quickly. Thankfully I had a little helper on hand.
What type of apples are best for baking?
So let’s talk about baking with apples. If you’re like me, maybe you have always wondered which apples hold up the best to baking. Well, it honestly depends on who you ask. I think the most important quality for a good baking apple is one that retains its shape when baking. Because no one likes mushy apple pie, mushy apple crisp, or mushy ANY type of dessert, do they?
I think there are several types of apples that fall into this category. And conveniently, Jonagold are one of those apples. I also really like Honey Crisp apples for their sweetness, but to be honest they are just so tasty to eat by themselves that they never make it into a dessert.
Does apple butter have butter in it?
Did you know that apple butter actually has NO butter?! I was somewhat surprised when I first discovered this. Apple butter gets its name because you basically cook apples down to the consistency of butter so your sauce is spreadable.
Apple butter is a highly concentrated form of apple sauce produced by slow cooking of apples to a point where the sugar in the apples caramelizes, turning the apple butter a deep brown. All you need are apples, sugar, and some spices. It doesn’t get any simpler. I really like this recipe because you cook the apples in a crockpot for an entire day which means that your home will smell simply divine.
HEATHER'S HELPFUL HINT
If you want to ensure your apple butter is free of lumps, use an immersion blender to puree the sauce before the final hour of cooking. I tried this and was very pleased with the smooth and creamy texture that resulted.
Storage instructions
I actually like to can my apple butter with a big batch like this. This way it lasts through the season and I can even give it out as gifts. One Christmas, I gave all my family and friends canned apple butter and it was a huge hit!
Recipe variations
If you're not in the mood for apple butter, check out this pumpkin butter recipe from Minimalist Baker. The bonus is that it only takes 20-minutes of prep time!
Check out our other fall recipes
You'll love these other fall-inspired recipes!
Recipe
Homemade Apple Butter
Ingredients
- 5 ½ pounds apples peeled, cored, and chopped
- 1 ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 ¾ cup white sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon cloves
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
Instructions
- Peel, core, and finely chop your apples. It is important that you remove all the apple skin and seeds. You don't want them left over at the end! Place the apples in a slow cooker.
- In a medium bowl, mix the sugar and spices. Pour the mixture over the apples in the slow cooker and mix well.
- Set slow cooker to LOW and cook for 8-12 hours. Stir the mixture occasionally. You will know it is done when the mixture is thickened and dark brown. This means the apples and sugar have started to caramelize.
- For the last hour of cooking, uncover the slow cooker and let the mixture continue cooking. You can use a whisk to increase the smoothness, if desired.
- Spoon the mixture into sterile containers. Cover and refrigerate or freeze. You can also can the jars and your apple butter will last at room temperature.
Notes and Tips
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe? First, let me say THANK YOU for giving it a try! Please leave us a rating above and leave any feedback in the comments section at the bottom of this post. I always love to hear your thoughts and ideas on what went well — and what didn’t — with a recipe! Be sure to check out some of our other recipes linked below!
debanitaghosh
Wow! I've never heard of apple butter. I need to try making this butter at home soon. Thanks for bringing this to Fiesta Friday!
Heather @ Sweet Precision
You can also buy it at the store! It's usually somewhere near the jellies and jams. I'm excited to join the Fiesta Friday crew :)
Angie | Fiesta Friday
Welcome to Fiesta Friday, Heather! I'm looking forward to getting to know you better. In the meantime, let me sit here and pretend fall has arrived (it's so hot here!) and I'm enjoying homemade apple butter with some cheese biscuits. Is that the best thing in the world or what?! I'll be sending you an invite to join the Fiesta Friday Friends Group Board!
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Thanks Angie! Several of my blogging friends post on Fiesta Friday but I never stopped by to see what it was all about! I'm looking forward to posting in the future. Out of curiosity, do people always share new posts. I know I won't have new content every week as I'm just easing myself back into blogging. I agree with you 100%... the weather has not turned "fall-like" here yet. But I'm ready for it! Fall is my favorite season!
Angie | Fiesta Friday
Ideally we want to see newer/fresher posts but if you have older posts that you're particularly proud of but for some reason didn't get as many views as you had hoped, you can link them. We do appreciate inspiring and seasonal posts even if they're slightly older.
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Makes perfect sense to me! Thanks, Angie :)
CakePants
93 degrees at an apple orchard?! That's some serious dedication to apple-picking, if you're willing to go out in that weather. This apple butter looks so flavorful! I've made pumpkin butter, but never apple butter...I'll have to see if I can find an orchard somewhere nearby and cook up some fall-time goodness!
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Oh gosh, it was the worst. I was so grumpy by the end. Do you have the pumpkin butter recipe up on your blog? I've always been tempted to try, but haven't made it before! I hope that you can find an orchard out west. Maybe a farmers market would have apples... I know you'll find something!
Zeba@Food For The Soul
Thank for all the tips on apples and baking. It looks like you put those apples to real good use. Looks yummy! Thanks for sharing on Fiesta Friday!
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Thank you for co-hosting Fiesta Friday! It's my first time joining the party :) Apples are easily my favorite part of fall... I've still got about 15 left that I need to put to good use! I'm on the search for more recipes!
Jhuls
I have tried apple butter, but I am imagining this tastes fantastic! Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday party!
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Thanks Jhuls! I'm excited to join the community! I started canning apple butter a few years ago for Christmas gifts and now I'm hooked!
Jess
Ah, I do miss those Michigan apple orchards. Not too many of them out here on the west coast lol Also, I adore apple butter. This looks great Heather :-)
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Oh gosh, it's my favorite part of fall here! There's just so MANY orchards with donuts, apple cider... you remember! What's fall like on the west coast? I imagine the weather would be absolutely gorgeous all the time?!