Description

This homemade Apple Butter recipe is a rich, spiced spread made from a blend of sweet and tart apples slow-cooked to a smooth, thick, and deeply flavorful condiment. Perfect for fall preserves, it combines apples with cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and vanilla for a warm, comforting taste that’s great on toast, biscuits, or as a flavorful addition to dishes.

Ingredients

Apples and Liquids

5 lbs apples (peeled, cored, and chopped – use a mix of sweet and tart)
1 cup apple cider or apple juice

Sweeteners and Spices

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt

Additional Flavorings

1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

Cook Apples: Place the chopped apples and apple cider in a large slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours, stirring occasionally, until apples are very soft, ensuring they break down perfectly for pureeing.
Puree the Apples: Use an immersion blender to purée the apples inside the slow cooker until completely smooth. Alternatively, transfer the cooked apples in batches to a blender and puree them, then return the puree to the slow cooker.
Add Sugar and Spices: Stir in granulated sugar, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, salt, lemon juice, and vanilla extract thoroughly to combine all flavors.
Thicken the Apple Butter: Continue cooking the mixture uncovered on low heat for 1–2 more hours, stirring occasionally. Cook until the mixture thickens to a deep brown color and achieves a spreadable consistency typical of apple butter.
Cool and Store: Allow the apple butter to cool. Transfer to clean jars or containers and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks or freeze for longer preservation.

Notes

If you don’t have a slow cooker, you can simmer everything in a heavy pot on the stove. Cover and stir frequently, cooking for 2–3 hours until thick and spreadable.
Adjust spices and sugar amounts according to the apple variety used and your taste preference.
Use a mix of sweet and tart apples to achieve a balanced flavor.
Store apple butter in sterilized jars to extend shelf life and ensure food safety.