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Best Homemade Apple Butter Recipe You Need to Try!

Best Homemade Apple Butter Recipe You Need to Try!

This homemade apple butter is silky, rich, and spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves — the perfect fall spread for toast, pancakes, or even pork! Made with fresh apples and apple cider, it’s a cozy classic you’ll want to make every autumn.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 hours
Uncovered Cooking Time 2 hours
Total Time 14 hours
Servings: 3 cups
Course: Spread
Cuisine: American
Calories: 60
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 5 pounds apples peeled, cored, and sliced; use a mix of Fuji and Granny Smith
  • 1 cup apple cider or apple juice
  • 2 cups brown sugar
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker
  • Immersion Blender
  • Canning Jars

Method
 

  1. Peel, core, and slice the apples. Add them to a slow cooker or large pot.
  2. Add apple cider, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, vanilla, and salt. Stir well to combine.
  3. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, stirring occasionally, until the apples are very soft and dark brown.
  4. Use an immersion blender to puree the mixture until smooth and silky.
  5. Uncover and continue cooking for 1–2 more hours, stirring every 30 minutes, until the mixture thickens to desired consistency.
  6. For canning: Sterilize jars and lids. Pour hot apple butter into jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace. Wipe rims, seal, and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.

Notes

Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for the best flavor. This apple butter also makes a fantastic gift! Store in the fridge for up to 3 weeks or process for long-term storage.