Posted Sep 01, 2023, Updated Feb 12, 2024 This homemade apple butter is the embodiment of all that is wonderful about fall. Peak-season apples are quartered (no peeling required) then cooked low and slow with rich fall spices and blended until silky smooth. I found many apple butter recipes were way too sweet for me, using 2 or more cups of sugar. So , this recipe for the best apple butter is sweetened with maple syrup and brown sugar – but only ½ cup each so the flavor of the apples really shines. Then it’s enhanced with a splash of vanilla resulting in the best apple butter you’ve ever tasted. And it’s so easy to make you’ll say “goodbye” to store-bought varieties once and for all.
Homemade Apple Butter: Ingredients & Substitutions
Apples. I suggest using organic apples to avoid pesticides, wax coatings, etc. Pick your favorite variety or use a combination of different types of apples. I recommend pink lady, honey crisp, gala, jazz, granny smith, McIntosh, etc. A sweet/tart mixture is my favorite. Water. I don’t suggest making substitutions for water. Although you could use apple juice or apple cider, if desired. Maple syrup. I love the flavor imparted by maple syrup. You can substitute granulated sugar for the maple syrup. Light brown sugar. for a richer molasses taste, use dark brown sugar. Cinnamon/nutmeg/cloves. I included what I believe is the best quantity of mixture of spices for this recipe. You can taste and adjust according to your preferences after the recipe is blended. Vanilla extract. the seeds of 1 vanilla bean or 1 tsp vanilla bean paste are good substitutes for vanilla extract.
How to Make Apple Butter
We’ll walk through this crockpot apple butter recipe step-by-step. Watch the video for additional help, and don’t hesitate to ask questions in the comment section! Begin by preparing the apples. Since they are not peeled, make sure to wash them thoroughly before coring and quartering them to use in this recipe. Then, whisk together water, maple syrup, light brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, sea salt and vanilla extract in the container of a slow cooker. Next, put the apples in the container and stir to coat with the wet mixture. Cook the apples on high for 3 hours or until they are soft. Then, transfer the mixture to a high-powered blender and blend until smooth (alternately, use an immersion blender to blend the ingredients in the crockpot). Once smooth, return the mixture to the crockpot and cook on high, uncovered for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, or until thickened. Then, turn off the crockpot and leave the apple butter in the container uncovered to cool completely, stirring occasionally. Once cooled to room temperature, transfer the homemade apple butter to glass jars and store in the refrigerator.
Serve
I suggest serving this apple butter as a spread on top of your favorite breads, muffins, or any of your favorite breakfast recipes. Here are some suggestions:
Use it as a filling for crepes, or on top of pancakes or waffles. Serve it on top of pumpkin bread or banana bread. Slather it on top of this recipe for the best scones, or these cinnamon chip scones. Use it on top of these apple muffins, apple cake, or pumpkin muffins. Stir it into overnight oats, or serve on top of baked oatmeal. Spread it onto toast or bagels for breakfast.
Store/Freeze
Store apple butter in glass jars with lids in the refrigerator for up to 2 months, or in the freezer for up to 1 year. Can the apple butter to make it last even longer. If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can see your creations!
