Homemade Apple Butter
Homemade apple butter made in the slow cooker could not be easier! Simply mix up your apples, sugar, and spices and let it cook down all day (or overnight), puree it, and enjoy. Slather it on bread or biscuits, top your pancakes with it, stir it into your oatmeal, or simply eat it with a spoon! The perfect fall (or year-round) condiment. Instructions are included for stovetop and Instant Pot preparation!
Apple butter has become one of my favorite things to stock up on during the fall season when it's plentiful at farmer's markets, orchards, and local grocery stores. I love piling it on top of brie and a cracker!
Once I discovered how incredibly easy it could be to make at home, I wasted no time making batches once apple season was in full swing each year.
Apple Butter 101
So if it's not actual butter, what is it?
Quite simply, it's homemade applesauce that has been cooked quite a bit longer, which intensifies the flavor and gives it a caramelized color. It is then pureed for a super-smooth texture.
It tastes like an ultra-concentrated, incredibly thick, and smooth version of applesauce.
Apples and Spices
Types of Apples to Use
The beauty of making homemade apple butter is that you can use whatever your favorite variety is! That said, softer varieties of apples lend themselves especially well to apple butter making because they break down more easily and can achieve that concentrated flavor we love. You can use all one kind or a mixture.
Some great choices would include:
- Braeburn
- Cortland
- Fuji
- McIntosh
- Golden Delicious
- Red Delicious
- Idared
- Gala
- Granny Smith, if you like a tart flavor!
How to Prep the Apples
To prepare the apples, simply peel and core them, then give them a rough chop. Nothing fancy is needed here!
I like to use this swivel peeler, but if you do a ton of apple baking, you may want to invest in a tabletop apple peeler.
The Spices
I use a simple mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to flavor the apple butter; the mixture creates such a warm, wonderful flavor!
I consider cinnamon a must, but feel free to play around with the others if you'd like; other options could include:
- Apple pie spice
- Allspice
- Ginger
Slow Cooker, Instant Pot, and Stovetop Instructions
CrockPot Apple Butter
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I love making apple butter in the slow cooker and is the version listed in the recipe below - it's totally hands-off and so easy!
To make this version, the apples are tossed with sugar and spices in a 6-quart slow cooker and cooked on low for 10 hours, then the vanilla extract is mixed in and any large chunks of apples are broken up, then it is cooked for two more hours. Then, use an immersion blender (or regular blender or food processor) to puree or blend the apple butter for that silky smooth consistency. Let it cool and transfer to jars or storage containers.
Instant Pot Apple Butter
If you have an Instant Pot, you can also make apple butter in it! Place the apples, sugars, and all of the seasonings (except for the vanilla) into a 6-quart Instant Pot and stir to combine. Cook on high pressure for 90 minutes, then natural release for 10 minutes. Puree the apple butter using an immersion blender, regular blender, or food processor. (If you do not use an immersion blender, return the apple butter to the Instant Pot.) Turn on “Slow Cook” function and cook on high for 2 hours with the lid only covering half of the pot. Stir in the vanilla, allow to cook and transfer to containers.
Stovetop
If you want to make it on the stovetop instead, you will need to add a bit of liquid to the apples, sugar, and spices so that the apples don't stick to the pan - you could use apple cider, apple juice, or water (about 1 cup). Cook, uncovered, over medium-low heat for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, then puree using an immersion blender, food processor, or blender. Return to the stove and continue to cook until it is thick and deep brown in color, about 1 additional hour.
How To Use Apple Butter
Apple butter can be used in the same way you'd use any other fruit jam, but here are some ideas:
- Spread on toast, biscuits, and muffins
- Top your pancakes and waffles with it
- Serve with crackers and cheese on a charcuterie board
- Stir it into oatmeal, yogurt, or ice cream
- Use it in place of pumpkin puree or applesauce in recipes
- Baste it onto chicken or pork chops
- Add it to your grilled cheese sandwich
- Gift it in a pretty jar with a ribbon!
Shelf life, storage, and freezing
This is a "refrigerator" version, meaning that it is not meant for long-time storage. If you are interested in a recipe suitable for canning and long-term, room-temperature storage, I recommend the recipe from Simply Recipes.
Once the apple butter has cooled and been placed into jars or airtight containers, store using the following guidelines:
- Refrigerator Storage - You can store the apple butter in the fridge for up to 1 month.
- Freezer Storage - You can store the apple butter in the freezer for up to 1 year. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using it.
You'll love these other apple recipes!
- Easy Apple Crisp
- Apple Dumplings
- Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Pie
- Apple Fritter Doughnuts
- Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce
Watch the Apple Butter Recipe Video
If you make this homemade apple butter and love it, remember to stop back and give it a 5-star rating - it helps others find the recipe! ❤️️
Homemade Apple Butter
Ingredients
- 6½ pounds apples, peeled, cored and sliced
- 1 cup (198 g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (213 g) light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Place apples in slow cooker. In a medium bowl, whisk together the sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and salt. Sprinkle over the apples and stir gently to combine. Cook on low for 10 hours.
- Stir in vanilla extract, breaking up any large chunks of apples that remain. Cover and cook for an additional 2 hours.
- Remove the lid and use an immersion blender to puree the apple butter until completely smooth or to desired consistency. (Alternately, you could puree in batches in a food processor or regular blender.) If you want the apple butter thicker, you can continue to cook it on low with the lid of the slow cooker slightly ajar so that steam can escape.
- Allow the mixture to cool, then spoon into jars and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month, or freeze for up to 1 year.
Notes
- Equipment: 6-quart slow cooker, 6-quart Instant Pot, or Dutch oven for stovetop.
- For Blending: Use an immersion blender, food processor, or traditional blender.
- Apples: Use your favorite or a combination of different varieties. See the post above for suggestions.
- Refrigerator Storage - You can store the apple butter in the fridge for up to 1 month.
- Freezer Storage - You can store the apple butter in the freezer for up to 1 year. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using it.
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
I just made pumpkin butter in the slow cooker – great minds think alike! Love this! :)
How did you make it?
Thanks,
Brenda Long
You are not alone. It took me a looooong time too to realize butter has no place in apple (or pumpkin) butter. As in 34 years. HAHAHA.
I’m an apple fanatic but have only had apple butter a few times, on toast. The thought of it on brie is just mouthwatering. I can only imagine the way the house smells while this cooks. Cannot wait to try it.
I love the way it sounds! Bt 10hrs of slow cooker? Is there an alternative to maybe reduce the cooking time by using a pressure cooker? I understand that the intensity of the flavour can come only by the slow cooking
Hi Tanvi, I have never used a pressure cooker, so I don’t know how it would work or how the cooking time would translate from the slow cooker.
A pressure cooker won’t work because it is sealed. the long process in the slow cooker with the lid open for steam to escape is to reduce the volume. If it is sealed the steam won’t have anywhere to go
I have made peach butter and my girl friend made apricot. We added a box of Sure-Jell to the mix while it cooked. Both of these were delicious toppings for anything “toasted” or on a slice of fresh baked bread!
The last time I made apple butter I did it in the slow cooker & it was so much easier – no stirring or scorching. I processed it in a hot water bath & it lasted for months! I cheated this year – ALDI had it as a weekly special so I stocked up. Homemade bread is the perfect carrier for a thick layer of apple butter, but a spoon is too!
Is there anything I could substitute for cloves or just omit it?
Hi Vika, Since there are other spices in there, you could add an extra pinch of the others or just omit the cloves.
Cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla are three of my favourite things! Thanks for the yummy recipe!
I need a slow cooker! This looks fabulous! :D
I grew up eating and making apple butter. This is very close to the recipe I use. Instead of vanilla I add a splash or two or orang liqueur or whiskey/bourbon. It adds that something extra to the butter.
i love apple butter and have been looking for this type of recipe! Thank you!
Apple butter is the best, I can’t believe I’ve never made my own! I need to stock up on apples so I can try this soon :)
I grew up eating apple butter on homemade biscuits…YUM!
We just recently – as in last week – moved to a new house in the country and had several people stop by to welcome us. This would be a perfect little way to say thank you to them and to the friends who helped us move. Thanks, Michelle, for the recipe and inspiration! OH! And apple butter on brie? . . . yum!! Believe it or not, apple butter is delicious eaten with cottage cheese or my kids like it in a bowl so they can dip animal crackers into it. And it’s a great comfort food of mine on a chilly fall morning to enjoy it on toasted bread with a cup of hot tea (or as an afternoon snack after being out in crummy weather such as is headed to Pittsburgh tomorrow :/ ).
Can you can it? I put up a lot of my jam, fruits and vegetables…Just wondering…
Hi Sandi, I don’t believe you can safely can this recipe; please see the write up above for a link to a cannable recipe at Simply Recipes.
Sorry for the previous question. I’ve looked it up: the average apple weights about 1/2 pound. :)
Do you happen to know approximately how many apples that was? I have a bagful of apples, but I don’t know how much they weight…
I just made this recipe and i used 6 honey crisp 3 granny smith and 6 gala apples.
I love apple butter on toast in the morning. Yum! May have to try a batch of this slow cooker version.
I’ve nerver made apple butter but I’ve been thinking lately that it’s time I tried so this is perfect. The crock pot is just too easy not to use!!! Thanks!
I really want to make this..however as a single person does anyone have any advice how to scale this recipe down? Can i still make it in my 6 qt slow cooker?
Hi Liz, I think you could scale it down and still make it in your 6 quart slow cooker. I have a 6 quart and it was completely full with apples when I started. Cooking on low, it doesn’t char the edges or anything.
Michelle thanks so much for the reply.Im going food shopping today..I will be attempting this and reporting back soon.
Love this slow cooker version! I’ve never made apple butter but would love t give it a try.
I’m surprised at the # of people who have never had it. We grew up having it on toasted and on peanut butter sandwiches. Can’t wait to try this recipe. Thanks
Someone JUST talked about making apple butter in a slow cooker and then I saw this pop up in my RSS feed. Yum! Time to go get some apples.
I think I have only had apple butter once but I think I am going to make this today and see how it turns out!! I have apples galore in my fridge!
This could be the year I finally tackle homemade apple butter! I’ve been intimidated by canning in the past, but I feel like I could handle this. Plus, I bet your house smells ahhhh-mazing while it simmers away. Yum!
Is there a way to make this without a slow cooker?
I have made it on the stove. It is basically like making applesauce but the proportion of ingredients are different which makes for a thicker, sweeter, heartier product. Also, I cook it on low, stiring often , for about an hour.
I love making apple butter. It can be addictive this time of year so thanks for this recipe. FYI, Trader Joe’s has a variety of yummy fruit butters. They offer a yummy cranberry apple butter this time of year along with a delicious pumpkin butter. They also offer fig butter and mango butter all year long.
Hi Lila, I imagine that you can make it on the stove, but it might take awhile.
Do you know if we can cut down on the sugar amount?
Hi Hanna, I think you could without a problem. Obviously it will affect the flavor though!
I would, I just made it and it seems overly sweet. Next time I will just go down by a quarter.
Can you can this recipe? Going to be making this for Christmas presents and want to can it. Thanks
This is my third year making this recipe. I first found it on Sally’s Baking Addiction. Yes, you can can it. I actually just opened my last jar from last year. Make sure you follow canning procedures and that your jars and lids are properly sterilized. I make it in two crockpots and filled 15 half-pint jars. Delicious!
Did you use the water bath method to can the apple butter?
Gosh, I’d never even heard of apple butter before! Looking forward to reading some serving suggestions in the comments! Think I agree that it would work best with cheese, maybe a strong cheddar….
Yeast rolls, biscuits and on plain bread.
Apple butter and peanut butter sandwiches are one of my daughter’s favorite sandwiches! I have seen pies and cakes with apple butter in them as well.
12 hours of torture, eh? I mean by that, the amount of time your house likely smells so intoxicatingly good from the apples, brown sugar & spices. I bet it’s pure torture not to want to rip the lid off your slow cooker and dive in! It sounds so good and I’ve never made it. I’ve made plenty of jams, chutney, slow cooker beans, spreads and so forth – but never apple butter. Need to change that! Pinned!
This is such a great recipe to use up a bunch of apples. I would not mind taking a spoon and digging in. :)