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Home » Condiments and Sauces » Easy Homemade Spiced Apple Butter

Easy Homemade Spiced Apple Butter

October 11, 2015 , Updated February 17, 2019 Maria 6 Comments

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I just figured out how to capture autumn in a jar! It’s actually quite simple. I make this recipe for Easy Homemade Spiced Apple Butter. I am very excited to share it with all of you!

Easy Homemade Spiced Apple Butter

Easy Homemade Spiced Apple Butter

But, before I do… I’ll keep you in suspense just a little while longer while I share my definition of apple butter with you. Just in case you are wondering, no, there is no butter in this Easy Homemade Spiced Apple Butter. The word butter is used to describe the thick consistency. Basically, what this is is a highly concentrated form of applesauce. So here is the easiest description of apple butter: overcooked applesauce, irresistible spreadable purée.

Easy Homemade Spiced Apple Butter

Notice how the apple butter gets darker in color? What is happening is that the sugars in the apples are caramelizing and turning a deep brown color. The flavor is also intensifying.

So now you know what apple butter is. The next question is, what can you use it for? Well, I’m glad you asked! It’s just lovely as a spread on toast, pancakes, waffles… A teaspoonful is great swirled into your oatmeal, cottage cheese, Homemade Ricotta Cheese or yogurt. It can be used as a sandwich spread, especially with cold roast meats. It can also be used as a spread in between cake layers or glazed over chicken or ribs…there are truly endless possibilities.

Easy Homemade Spiced Apple Butter
Yes, it’s a Fairmount bagel!

Nutrition Tip: Apple Butter is a great fat-free alternative for butter to spread on your morning bagel (or toast or bran muffin). But go easy… fat-free does not equal calorie-free.

Easy Homemade Spiced Apple Butter

ORIGINS OF RECIPE FOR Easy Homemade Spiced Apple Butter:

Recently, I had a conversation about apple butter with a colleague of mine. His enthusiasm about this apple butter peaked my interest. I was curious enough to try it and I’m glad that I did. I will definitely add this to my list of fall go-to recipes… a list that just seems to be getting longer and longer.

The original recipe can be found here. This is a small batch recipe.

If you have a slow cooker you can make a big batch of this Easy Homemade Spiced Apple Butter since the recipe can easily be doubled.  You need to process it in a water bath so that it can keep for the whole year.  

I loved experimenting with different types and amounts of spices. I used just a pinch of my homemade Allspice Recipe.  In order to achieve the smooth texture, I used my hand held immersion blender.

So if you went apple picking and you picked more apples than you know what to do with, why not make this Easy Homemade Spiced Apple Butter? It’s a little taste of autumn that will keep well into the year!

Easy Homemade Spiced Apple Butter

Apple Butter in a large mason jar.

Easy Homemade Spiced Apple Butter

So if you went apple picking and you picked more apples than you know what to do with, why not make this Easy Homemade Spiced Apple Butter?
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 24 servings
Calories: 26kcal
Author: Maria Vannelli RD

Ingredients

  • 4-5 medium apples cored and chopped into 1-inch chunks (I left the skin on and used a variety of apples)
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest grated
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
  • pinch allspice
  • pinch cloves
  • pinch salt

Instructions

  • Place all of the ingredients in a medium sized saucepan.
  • Cover and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce to lowest setting and cook until apples are soft, about 20 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and with an immersion blender, purée until smooth.
  • Continue to cook, uncovered, on the lowest setting. At this stage, make sure you stir every couple of minutes to prevent the apple butter from forming a crust at the bottom of the pot.
  • Cook until thickened. This can take anywhere from 1-2 hours, depending on the original water content of your apples. A good test is when the apple butter no longer runs off the spoon.
  • Portion into jars and refrigerate.
Scroll UP for the STEP by STEP PhotosDon't miss the process shots and videos included in most posts. Simply scroll up the post to find them. Those were created especially for you so that you can make the recipe perfectly every single time you try it.

Notes

This apple butter can be kept refrigerated 2-3 weeks. If you process the jars in a water bath, your apple butter will keep for at least one year.
Slow cooker: Once you get to the step where the apples are pureed, transfer the mixture in a slow cooker, cover, set the heat on low, and cook for approximately 6 hours. Pour into jars and process in a water bath.
1 serving = 1 tablespoon
*recipe lightly adapted from the spruce

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 26kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Potassium: 34mg | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 1.6mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 0.1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @shelovesbiscotti or tag #shelovesbiscotti!

Thanks for dropping by.

Ciao for now!

Maria

Easy Homemade Spiced Apple Butter

Condiments and Sauces, How to

About Maria

Maria Vannelli is a registered dietitian who lives in a suburb just outside Montreal, Canada. She's the founder of the food blog She Loves Biscotti. Maria hopes to inspire you and bring you and your loved ones closer together at meal times enabling you to create some memorable moments.

Comments

  1. Roger Ferguson says

    October 18, 2018 at 03:39

    You say it takes 1 to 2 hours to cook and you have to stir it every couple of minutes so it won’t crust on bottom of pan ?
    So ima be stirring for 1 to 2 hours ? Ughhhhhhhh…..any easier way? Lol

    Reply
    • Maria says

      October 19, 2018 at 18:09

      lol… actually the slow cooker is great for making butters. I am in the process of updating this post to include this variation. Thanks for bringing a smile to my face Roger, appreciate it ♥

      Reply
  2. Ur pal val says

    April 27, 2018 at 19:39

    5 stars
    Great flavour and it was so easy to make! Thanks for this great recipe 🙂

    Reply
    • Maria says

      April 28, 2018 at 08:21

      A wonderful spread to have throughout the year! Thanks for stopping by 🙂

      Reply
  3. Kim says

    August 22, 2016 at 10:49

    Can you freeze this?

    Reply
    • Maria says

      August 22, 2016 at 17:59

      Yes Kim, you can freeze this apple butter. Be sure to thaw it out overnight in the fridge. It can be kept refrigerated for up to three weeks. Appreciate your comment 🙂

      Reply

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I'm Maria: dietitian and full time content creator. Join me as I share traditional Italian recipes from my youth, to modern twists on classics using fresh and seasonal ingredients.

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