My super easy Apple Butter recipe is perfectly spiced with rich fall flavors. It takes just 10 minutes to prep with NO peeling required! Recipe includes a how-to video.
All the Best Flavors of Fall in a Jar
Apple butter is the richer, prettier, and perhaps more sophisticated sister to plain-Jane applesauce. It’s truly the embodiment of fall, with colorful crisp apples cooked down and caramelized in spices, brown sugar and vanilla. It tastes great on just about anything, but we love it spread over an English muffin or warm scone (heavenly!).
My favorite thing about this apple butter recipe is that there is NO peeling required! I’ve tested this recipe with peeled and unpeeled apples, and I didn’t notice a difference between the two. When cooked for as long as my recipe calls for, the peels break down completely and are not perceptible in the finished product. Save yourself the time and skip the peeling!
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Easy: only 10 minutes of prep before the slow cooker takes over.
- Perfectly flavored: the apples are the true star, with just enough sugar and spices added to accent them and make a warm, cozy fall flavor.
- Plentiful: this recipe makes a lot (3 pints!), so you’ll have some to share or gift (if you’re the generous type).
- No peeling: saves you SO much time and effort.
What You Need
To achieve a silky smooth and flavorful spread, you’ll need to slow cook just a few simple ingredients:
- Apples. What I love about my apple butter recipe is that there is no peeling needed! Just core and dice your apples into small, even pieces. Do not use a firm, tart apple like Granny Smith; stick with softer, sweeter apples like Golden Delicious (my favorite all-around apple for most recipes, like my apple turnovers!), Fuji, Gala, or McIntosh. A combination of apples works too!
- Sugar. A combination of brown and white sugar provides depth of flavor and helps the apples to break down and caramelize, giving the final product a fantastically rich fall flavor. Don’t forget, if you don’t have any on hand just follow my tutorial on how to make brown sugar!
- Spices. Lots of ground cinnamon and a pinch of cloves elevate the flavor of the apples by providing warmth and richness.
- Vanilla. A subtle hint of vanilla rounds out all of warm flavors. I recommend using a vanilla bean if you have one, but otherwise regular vanilla extract will work.
SAM’S TIP: The hardest thing about this recipe is waiting for it to be done. To mitigate this, I often like to prep everything before going to bed and let it cook while I sleep, but please always check your own slow cooker’s safety guide before leaving it unattended.
Remember, this is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why. For the full recipe please scroll down to the bottom of the post!
How to Make Apple Butter
- Core and chop (don’t peel!) your apples and place them in the basin of a slow cooker.
- Mix together spices and sugars. Sprinkle these over the apples and toss to combine.
- Cook apple mixture on low heat for 10 hours.
- Puree apples. I like to use an immersion blender (I linked to the one I use, affiliate), but you can use a regular one instead.
- Remove the lid and cook for another 2 hours or until the consistency has thickened to your liking.
SAM’S TIP: The additional two hours of cooking might seem like a pain, but it’s important and worth it to get the proper consistency. If you want an even thicker butter, you can continue to cook yours even longer; but I’ve found the two hours to be plenty (and keep in mind it will continue to thicken as it cools!).
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically it is used as a topping for biscuits or bread, but it’s also delicious on oatmeal, pancakes, my favorite waffle recipe, crepes, etc. Some people even serve it with scrapple, or you can take my dad’s approach and enjoy it by the spoonful!
Apple butter is typically sweeter, richer, and thicker (more of a buttery/spreadable consistency). It’s often much darker in color than applesauce, largely because of the added ingredients (in this instance, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, etc) and the caramelization that occurs from the longer cook time.
Yes it does. If you’d like to try canning yours, that’s a great option for extending its shelf life outside of the fridge (I don’t have experience canning, so I can’t offer any advice there, but here is a guide on canning I found that should be helpful.).
Apple butter gets its name from its butter-like consistency, there’s no actual butter in it. If you’re looking for a flavored butter, try my honey butter instead
Looking for more? Here are some of my favorite fall recipes.
Enjoy!
Let’s bake together! I’ll be walking you through all the steps in my written recipe and video below! If you try this recipe, be sure to tag me on Instagram, and you can also find me on YouTube and Facebook
The Best Apple Butter Recipe (No Peeling!)
Ingredients
- 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) soft, sweet apples (see note 1) Cored and chopped into small pieces, about ¼"
- 1 cup (200 g) brown sugar firmly packed
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 vanilla bean (may substitute 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract)
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Slice apples into small pieces (about ¼") and dispose of cores (you do not need to peel the apples).5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) soft, sweet apples (see note 1)
- Place apples in the basin of large slow cooker
- In a medium-sized bowl stir together sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and cloves until well-combined.1 cup (200 g) brown sugar, ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar, 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon salt, ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- Pour sugar mixture over apple pieces and stir until well combined.
- Place lid on crockpot and cook on low heat for 10 hours.
- Once 10 hours has elapsed, use an immersion blender to puree apples until smooth and no chunks remain (see note 2 if you do not have an immersion blender).
- Scrape the inside of the vanilla bean into your apple puree (or add vanilla extract).1 vanilla bean
- Turn crockpot on to low heat and cook another 2 hours uncovered, stirring occasionally.
- Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container, where it will keep about 2 weeks.
Notes
1. Apples
I recommend using Golden Delicious, McIntosh, Fuji, or Gala. Don’t use Granny Smith; they are too tart and firm for this recipe. Weigh your apples before coring and chopping. Do not peel them! For me this was about 13 apples but this could vary wildly depending on the size of your apples.2. Pureeing
If you do not have an immersion blender, pour the apples into a blender and puree until smooth, then return to crockpot. You may need to work in batches, depending on the size of your blender.Storing
Store apple butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for several weeks or freeze for up to several months.Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Related Recipes
This recipe was originally published in October of 2017, photos and recipe remain the same but text has been updated to be more helpful and I’ve added a how-to video!
Thomas
I love apple butter and this recipe is excellent and easy! For those who don’t care for the cloves, may I suggest using nutmeg as a replacement. Thanks for sharing Sam.
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoyed the apple butter, Thomas! Thanks for commenting. 🙂
Maureen Milske
Could I use Haralson apples? I have used them for pies and applesauce
Lynne James
So easy! Thank you for tip to NOT peel the apples.
It turned out delicious.
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoyed the apple butter, Lynne! Thanks for commenting. 🙂
Marilyn
If I did this over stove top would I cook apples with spices and sugars until soft? And then purée and add vanilla and cook for an hour or so?? Thanks!
Sugar Spun Run
Hello, Marilyn! Yes, the process you mentioned will work fine. You just want to make sure that your apples are cooked until they are really soft. I hope that you enjoy your apple butter. 🙂
Patricia Trokey
Terrible taste due to too much cloves! Throwing away and I’m so disappointed.
Process in making was perfect. Just need to find different recipe
Sam
Hi Patricia, this recipe only uses only 1/8 teaspoon of cloves which is a very, very, very small amount. It’s enough that I think it adds a pleasant and subtle spice to the recipe, but certainly not enough to be overwhelming. Perhaps you are very sensitive to the taste of cloves, in which case it would be fine for you to leave them out, but I’m wondering if perhaps the amount was mis-measured and more was added than should have been? Just my thoughts as the apple butter ultimately should not taste like cloves.
Patricia Trokey
I’ve never liked cloves so was very careful not to add more than the 1/8 teaspoon. I’m happy to know it is me and not your recipe. Because I read all the wonderful comments from others, I will try again without cloves. Should I substitute cloves with something else? Thank you
Sam
I would just leave it out, that should be fine. Between the vanilla and the cinnamon you’ll have plenty of good flavor in there. I hope you love it next time, Patricia!
Lisa
I live in southwestern part of virginia.many churches paddle churn apples the old fation way in a monster pot over wood fire, of course with a silver dollar in the bottom so it doesn’t stick. They make both with cloves and without cloves. The festivals are so crowded, thought I’d try making homemade apple butter with fresh, homegrown apples. Apples are bundant in our neck of the woods
Micah
What does adding vanilla after the 10 hours do? Why not add it right away?
Sugar Spun Run
Hello, Micah! If the vanilla is added too early, it will evaporate (if using extract). We add it last to avoid losing any of the flavors. If you cook vanilla bean in with the apples for 10 hours, I think the taste would be overpowering. I hope that you enjoy the apple butter. 🙂
Kay Pickering
The apple butter is FABULOUS ! It is just like I remember my Grandma making years ago for my sister and me. We would spread it over toasted challah bread. NOW, I am going to make it with my own Grandchildren…how special is that? Thank you, Sam
Sugar Spun Run
That is so special, Kay! I am glad that you enjoyed the apple butter recipe and even more excited that you will be sharing this with your grandchildren. Enjoy and thank you! 🙂
Liz
I went apple picking last weekend and ended up with a ton of Empire apples, which are firm and a little tart. Just made this apple butter and it’s so amazingly delicious. Thank you!
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Liz! I am so happy that you were able to put your apples to good use and so glad that you enjoyed the apple butter. 🙂
A
Make sure when you can it process it about 15 minutes, make sure the apple butter is very hot when you put it in your pint jars, and your canner is at a good boil too.
Kristen
Hey there – how many jars will this fill?
Sugar Spun Run
Hello, Kristen! It really depends on the size of the jars that you are trying to fill. The apple butter makes approximately 3 pints, which is 6 cups. 🙂
Barbara
I was given a big bag of apples, way more than 5.5 pounds that I was going to make into applesauce and decided on apple butter instead. Just found your recipe, because I want to use the crockpot. How large is your crockpot? Mine is small, about 4 qts. Just trying to figure out if need to break it down into batches, rather than trying to cook them all at once.
Sugar Spun Run
Hello, Barbara! My crockpot is 6-Quart. 🙂
Katie
Have you tried this using sticks of cinnamon? I’m wondering if it would be better to cook with the sticks before blending and remove them, or add them when adding the vanilla?
Sugar Spun Run
Hello, Katie! I haven’t tried it. If you do, let me know how it works. I hope that you enjoy the apple butter. 🙂
Lisa Mathieu
Sounds like a great recipe and I’m interested in making it to give as party favours for Thanksgiving. How long will it last in the jars and does it have to stay refrigerated after it’s put in jars?
Sugar Spun Run
Hello, Lisa! Apple Butter as a party favor would be perfect for Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, I have not personally canned Apple Butter, so I can not give any recommendations or tips on how to preserve it. I know others have had and have had success, so hopefully, someone can chime in. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help with this process. 🙂
Virginia
Buy Ball jars. Clean them then place the warm Apple butter in jars. Make sure none is on the lip of the jar. Place lid on jar tightly. In boiling water place jars upside down in pot for 10 min. Bring jars out to cool jars will make a pop sound when sealed upon cooling.😁
Sugar Spun Run
Thanks, Virginia! I appreciate the helpful tips. How long do they last? How do you recommend storing them?
Virginia
Ball sure tights kids say 18 months. Cool dark place is where I would store them.
Sugar Spun Run
Thanks, Virginia! 🙂
Bradley Willmon
Could this recipe be canned in traditional mason jars or the like? Would you have to process them differently?
Looks delicious!
Sugar Spun Run
Hello, Bradley! I have not personally canned Apple Butter, so I can not give any recommendations or tips. I know others have and have had success. Let know how it turns out. 🙂
Halie
My parents have an Apple tree and every year my dad brings me tons of apples because I love baking and he can’t stand seeing his apples go to waste. I finally realized, “I should make apple butter!” cause these apples are nice and sweet. I found your recipe and not only is it insanely simple (my kiddos helped out!) but it turned out soooo good. I also can’t complain about the delicious way my house smells now 🙂
Sugar Spun Run
I love the smell of apple butter! Yum! I am so happy that you were able to put all the apples to good use and enjoyed the recipe. Thanks so much, Haile! 🙂
Monica
Just made it over night with my instant pot using the slow cook function. I put it on high for extra 2 hours to make it thicker. Came out delicious. My husband loves apple butter with roasted chicken or duck breast.
Thank you!
Nikki
So easy. Put in a crock pot and within 12 hours it’s done. I’ve made it before I went to bed and also when I first got up. It was great and so sweet.
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Nikki! I am so happy that you enjoyed the apple butter. 🙂