Apple Butter
Apple Butter is our favorite spread for the season! While you'll find it at stores everywhere, making homemade butter is so easy and will have your home smell so warm, especially when you make it in your crockpot.
Ingredients
- 4 pounds apples use your favorite, peel and dice them into equal sizes
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup Sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/16 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 tablespoon vanilla
- 1/2 cup apple cider For Instant pot ONLY
Instructions
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Start by peeling and dicing the apples into equal sizes. You may alternatively keep the skin on, however the texture will feel slightly gritty.
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Add the sugars to the apple along with the cinnamon and salt and mix well.
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To make in the crockpot:
Add the vanilla as well and toss with the apple mixture.
Place the apples in the crockpot and set to cook for 10 hours on low.
When ready, use an immersion blender and blend until a smooth apple butter is formed.
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To make in the instant pot:
Do not add the vanilla to the apple mixture yet, instead add the apple cider.
Place the instant pot and set to pressure high for 20 minutes. Release the pressure and use an immersion blender to blend until smooth.
To thicken the butter, set the instant pot to sauté for 10 minutes and use a wooden spoon or spatula to stir continuously until you have smooth thick apple butter.
Add the vanilla at that point and it's ready.
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The apple butter is ready and will continue to thicken slightly as it cools.
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Store in a jar and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Apple Butter TIPS and FAQ
- Choose your favorite type of apple or use a combo for a rich flavored butter.
- A combination of white and brown sugar is great for sweetness and a richer taste.
- Follow the instructions closely if using a crockpot vs instant pot as they are quite different.
- To make apple butter on the stove, follow the instant pot instructions, all0owing for 30 minutes more of cooking time.
- Flavor up the apple butter with extra spice like apple pie spice, or chai spice, or add in ginger if you prefer.
- It's recommended to peel the apples for a smoother texture, however you may keep them on if you prefer.
- This recipe makes about 3 cups of apple butter (may look like more or less depending on the thickness you end up with).
What is the difference between Applesauce and Apple Butter?
The main difference is the texture and color. While both are made by cooking apples, apple butter is cooked longer and has barely no liquid. So the apple butter is smoother, richer, darker in color and hence more intensely flavored.
Which apples are best for apple butter?
As we mentioned, it's best to use YOUR favorite type of apple as that's the flavor that will come through. If you're looking for a richer flavor, you can use a combo of different apples. We use a combo of Gala, golden delicious, granny and red delicious.
How to make smooth apple butter?
You can food process your apple butter or blend it, however we find an immersion blender the easiest way to get the job done. Simply blend the butter right in the pot (crockpot or instant pot or stove top pot) right after cooking while it' still hot.
What can you make with apple butter?
- Serve it over ice creams for a fall inspired taste.
- Use it as a spread for croissants, english muffins, pancakes, waffles and toast.
- It makes a great condiment to any cheese board or charcuterie this holiday season.
- You can gift them in small jars, as they’re a perfect homemade gift!
- If you love flavored coffee, my daughter loves adding them to her latte to copycat an apple pie latte she loves!
- You can absolutely bake with it and make an apple butter cake.
- Spread them over Apple Muffins for a warm treat like NO OTHER!
How to store apple butter?
Once cooled, place the apple butter in a sealed jar and store in the fridge of you're using within the next month. You can likewise freeze the apple butter once cooled and keep it for 3 months. To use it, simply defrost it in the fridge and use once thawed and spreadable.