Apple butter is one of those easy apple recipes you can make any time but it is especially popular in the fall. This Apple Butter Recipe is perfect for spreading on toast or adding to your favorite dishes. You'll love this sweet and tangy spread made with just a few simple ingredients.
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Homemade Apple Butter
Making apple butter lets you control the ingredients and avoid preservatives found in store-bought versions. Slow-cooking the apples enhances their natural sweetness and flavor, which gives you a rich and delicious spread.
If you've gone apple picking, this recipe is a cost-effective way to use extra apples. There are so many ways to use homemade apple butter. You can spread it on toast, mix it into oatmeal, or top pancakes. You can even use it as a glaze for meats like we did with an Apple Butter Pork Chop Recipe.
Apple Recipes
My favorite thing about cooking with apples is that they are so versatile. You can make so many different recipes with them! From sweet apple pies to savory apple chutneys, the options are endless. Not to mention, apples are super easy to work with.
Next time you see this yummy fruit at the grocery store, grab a bunch and get inspired with some of our favorite ways to cook with apples:
Ingredients For Apple Butter Recipe
- Apples: Choose a mix of sweet and tart varieties for the best flavor.
- Brown sugar and white sugar: These add sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Ground cinnamon and nutmeg: Essential spices that provide warmth and that taste of fall.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a subtle, sweet aroma.
How to Make Apple Butter
Start by peeling and coring the apples, then cut them into bite-size pieces. Place the apple pieces in a slow cooker and add the brown sugar, white sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, salt, and vanilla extract. Stir everything together to combine.
Set the slow cooker to high and cook for about seven hours. You can stir it occasionally if you like. After seven hours, puree the apples in a blender until smooth.
Return the pureed apple mixture to the slow cooker and cook on high for another hour. Once done, you can enjoy your apple butter immediately or store it in sterile jars for later use.
Tips for Making Crock Pot Apple Butter
Tip 1: Feel free to adjust the amount of sugar to your taste. If you prefer a less sweet apple butter, reduce the sugar content.
Tip 2: A mix of sweet and tart apples will give you the best flavor. Popular choices include Fuji, Granny Smith, and Honeycrisp.
Tip 3: In addition to cinnamon and nutmeg, add a pinch of allspice or cloves for extra flavor.
FAQs For Easy Apple Butter
How do I store homemade apple butter?
Store your apple butter in sterile, airtight jars. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. For longer storage, you can freeze it in freezer-safe containers for up to six months.
Can I make apple butter with pears?
Yes, you can. Pears can be a good alternative or addition to apples in your apple butter. They provide a different texture and sweetness, giving your spread a unique twist.
What kind of apples should I avoid when making apple butter?
Avoid apples that are on the mealy side or have a more bland flavor, like Red Delicious, as they won't give your apple butter the burst of taste and texture you're looking for.
Crock Pot Apple Recipes
If you love cozy, warm meals during the fall season, then making recipes using apples in the crock pot is a must! Not only do they make your house smell amazing, but the slow cooking process brings out all the natural flavors of apples. Here are some yummy crock pot recipes:
- Crockpot Baked Apples
- Crock Pot Apple Cobbler
- Crock Pot Apple Cider
- Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple French Toast
Supplies For Making Apple Butter
For this recipe, you'll need a slow cooker, apple peeler and corer, and some sterile jars for storing your apple butter. Slow cooker liners help with easy clean-up. These items can be easily found on Amazon.
Crock-Pot MyTime Technology 6 Quart Programmable Slow Cooker and Food Warmer with Digital Timer, Stainless Steel (2137020)
Magikichen Silicone Crockpot Liners,Slow Cooker Liners, 6-7 Quart Oval Reusable Crock pot Divider Insert,BPA-Free, Dishwasher SafeReynolds Kitchens Premium Slow Cooker Liners - 13 x 21 Inch, 6 CountGorilla Grip Sharp Stainless Steel Swivel Vegetable Peeler, Comfortable Handle, Dishwasher Safe, Potato Peelers for Kitchen, Smooth Peeling, Peel Veggies, Apple, Corn, Includes Blade Guard, BlackAieve Apple Corer and Peeler 2 in 1, 2 Pack Stainless Steel Apple Corer Tool, Handheld Apple Core Remover for Apple and Pear, Remove Fruit Cores EasilyApple Peeler Slicer Corer with Stainless Steel Blades and Powerful Suction Base for Apples Pears Potatoes(Red)
With simple ingredients and a slow cooker, you can make a delicious apple butter spread. With just 5 minutes of prep time, your kitchen will be filled with the rich, comforting flavors of homemade apple butter.
Crock Pot Recipes
📖 Recipe
Apple Butter Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 lbs apples sweet or tart
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup white sugar
- 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅓ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ⅓ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Peel and core the apples, then cut them into bite-sized pieces.
- Place the apple pieces in a slow cooker, adding sugar, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, and vanilla. Stir well to combine.
- Cook on high for 7 hours, stirring occasionally.
- After 7 hours, blend the apples in a blender until smooth.
- Return the apple butter to the slow cooker and cook on high for an additional hour. You can enjoy the apple butter immediately or transfer it to sterilized jars for later storage.
Notes
- Feel free to tweak the sugar to suit your taste. If you like your apple butter less sweet, just dial down the sugar.
- Mixing sweet and tart apples gives a nice balance of flavors. Think Fuji, Granny Smith, or Honeycrisp for a tasty combination.
- Want more flavor? Sprinkle in some allspice or cloves along with cinnamon and nutmeg.
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