Homemade Apple Butter is a scrumptious fall tradition that goes back many generations. This easy crockpot recipe will bring back fond memories of the apple butter your grandmother used to make with warm spices and a touch of vanilla extract. So much flavor with such simple ingredients.
We call this Sunday Apple Butter! You put it in the crockpot at the crack of dawn, and it cooks all day hands-off, making the house smell like heaven. Then at supper time, you have the most amazing spread for your biscuits, toast, or warm yeast rolls. For breakfast, serve over pancakes or waffles, or add a spoonful to your oatmeal or yogurt.
Fall is approaching fast, and fresh crisp apples are at the market. What better way to celebrate the season than with a crock full of apples, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg? This is a small batch recipe that makes about two pint-size jars of apple butter, so if you want to do some canning for gift-giving, I would double or triple the recipe.
How to make Crockpot Apple Butter
The first step is to peel, core, and slice the apples. Then, add them to a crock pot with sugar, cinnamon, ground cloves, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Slow cook on low for at least ten hours, then set the lid ajar so the steam can escape, and continue cooking until the mixture is dark and thick.
Use an immersion blender to blend the apples until smooth. Spoon into jars and store in the refrigerator for up to several weeks and, if frozen, up to several months. As always, check for spoilage, mold, strange odors, or colors. This apple butter would be even more delicious spread over this homemade Apple Bread or Sweet Cinnamon Swirl Bread.
What kind of apples are best?
Gala, Fuji, Red or Golden Delicious, McIntosh, or Jonagold are good, meaty apples that make awesome butter. Although Honey Crisp and Granny Smiths are great for baking, they are not ideal for an apple butter recipe, as you want softer apples for this. You can adjust the amount of sugar to the sweetness of the apples.
Is there really butter in Apple Butter?
This may come as a shock, but there is not any butter or anything that resembles butter in apple butter. Hence the name butter comes from the smooth texture of the apple spread over toasted bread and warm biscuits. It is like super concentrated, smooth, applesauce with spices that is cooked down to a spread. You will see exactly what I mean after you make your own batch!
How to Cook Apple Butter on the Stovetop
I like to make this recipe in a crockpot, but you can do this in a large pot on the stovetop. Add 3/4 cup water, apple juice, or apple cider to the mixture. Bring the pot to a simmer, and cook for 2 hours or until the apples are very soft and easily pureed with an immersion blender or stand blender. Don’t forget to remove the center cap on a stand blender. If the apple butter is too thin, put it back on the stove over low heat and simmer until desired consistency.
Certainly, this amazing jam will become a family tradition in your home and consequently bring the scrumptious taste of sweet fall apples and cinnamon to your table.
More Apple Recipes
Apple Butter Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 pounds apples peeled cored and sliced
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- Pinch of nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Add the apples, sugar, cinnamon, ground cloves, salt, and nutmeg to a crock pot. Slow cook on low for at least ten hours. Stir in the vanilla extract. Set the lid ajar so the steam can escape, and continue cooking until the mixture is dark and thick.
- Using an immersion blender, puree the apple butter until smooth.
- Spoon into jars and store in the refrigerator for 10-14 days.
Notes
- A stand blender can be used as well, but cool the mixture first, and make sure you remove the cap on the blender so that steam escapes.
- Gala, Fuji, Red or Golden Delicious, McIntosh, or Jonagold are good, meaty apples that make awesome butter.
- To cook on a stovetop add 3/4 cup water, apple juice, or apple cider to the mixture. Bring the pot to a simmer, and cook for 2 hours or until the apples are very soft and easily pureed with an immersion blender or stand blender. Don’t forget to remove the center cap on a stand blender. If the apple butter is too thin, put it back on the stove over low heat and simmer until desired consistency.
- Store this apple butter in an airtight container or mason jar in the refrigerator for about 10-14 days. Or freeze for up to 6 months.
Nutrition
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Sue
This easy crockpot recipe is a nostalgic journey back to the warm spices and vanilla-infused apple butter your grandmother used to make. Simple ingredients, but oh, the flavor! We call it Sunday Apple Butter – the aroma fills the house all day, culminating in a heavenly spread for supper. Biscuits, toast, warm yeast rolls – the choices are endless. For breakfast or brunch, drizzle over pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, or yogurt. The taste of tradition in every spoonful!
Beth Pierce
I could not agree more, Sue. We love it too! It is a fall tradition here.
Janey
Oh wow I had no idea it was this easy to make Apple Butter! Thank you for this recipe.
Yvonne
I had never tried making apple butter before, this was so easy in the crockpot and it really did make the house smell amazing!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Yvonne!
Steph
I found this recipe just in time as I had lots of extra apples! The butter is fantastic and I enjoy slathering it on my toast (and a lot of other items!). An added bonus is the house smells amazing when I made it.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Steph! Have you tried it in Greek yogurt? So yummy!
Catalina
We love apple butter so much! And the homemade version is always the best!
Erin
Absolutely fantastic! This is now my favorite apple butter recipe.
Jackie Kreuzer
Do you pack the brown sugar??
Betty Bumgardner
I’ve made this several time, to the point of now I process it in canning jars. My kids and grandbabies can’t wait for apple season.
Beth Pierce
I understand. I love apple season too!
Jackie Kreuzer
Can you freeze apple butter
Beth Pierce
Yes you can in an airtight container for up to three months.
Gay M Pruitt
What kind of apples are the best to use?
Beth Pierce
There is a write up in the post on the best apples. Gala, Fuji, Red Delicious, McIntosh or Jonagold are good, meaty apples that make awesome butter. Although Honey Crisp and Granny Smiths are great for baking, they are not ideal for an apple butter recipe, as you want softer apples for this jam. You can adjust the amount of sugar to the sweetness of the apples.
Sandra
Such a perfectly easy apple butter recipe! Thank you!
Toni
I really loved how easy this is to make!! Thank you!
Erin
This Apple Butter is is seriously making me hungry!
Dorothy
I am going to need a big jar of this in my fridge at all times. I can’t wait for fall and all things apple!
Kimberly
I looooove apple butter, especially homemade! This looks delicious!
Patricia
I can think of so many things to slather this on! What a great alternative to jelly. And so easy in the crock pot! I need to try this!