Apple Butter

Recipe Ingredients

Here are the apple butter ingredients you'll need to make this recipe.

Fresh Apples: The star of the recipe. Tart or sweet-tart cooking apples, such as Granny Smith, Braeburn, or Golden Delicious, are ideal because they soften well when cooked and provide a balanced flavor. You can also use a combination of these apples for a more complex blend.

Apple Juice: Apple cider or water are good alternatives if you don’t have apple juice. For a "spirited" twist, use 1/4 cup of apple brandy and 1/4 cup apple juice or cider.

Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar was tested for the recipe, but you can also use dark brown sugar for a deeper, molasses-like taste.

Spices: We found the perfect blend of cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves to give this apple butter recipe its signature spicy warmth.

Lemon Juice: This helps offset the sweetness and brings out the flavors.

Cookware You’ll Need

This easy apple butter recipe doesn’t require much—here's what you'll need.

Slow Cooker: Through our years of testing, we found the 5- to 6-quart size works best—it gives the apples room to cook and makes it easier to mash once they’re soft.

Apple Corer: Quickly removes the cores of the apples. A paring knife can also be used to cut the apples into quarters and then cut out the cores.

Potato Masher: A handheld tool with a flat or mesh head that mashes apples quickly. Use a large fork or spoon for a chunkier texture.

Other Cookware You’ll Need: Vegetable peeler, cutting board, chef’s knife, dry and liquid measuring cups, measuring spoons, and a mixing spoon.

How to Make Apple Butter

Here’s how to make apple butter.

1. Peel and Cut the Apples

Peeling the apples helps create a smoother texture. Cutting them into quarters helps them soften more quickly.

2. Cook the Apple Mixture

The key to thick, flavorful homemade apple butter is cooking low and slow. This allows the natural sugars to caramelize, giving it a rich color and spreadable texture. Just set it and let the slow cooker do the work.

3. Mash the Apples

Keep the lid on during cooking—each time you lift the lid, heat escapes and adds about 15 minutes to the cook time. Once softened, use a potato masher to mash up and down until smooth.

4. Cook and Cool the Apple Butter

Apple butter needs a long cook time to thicken. Once cooked, cool in the slow cooker before refrigerating. Stirring occasionally as it cools helps lower the temperature faster.

Possible Variations

This apple butter recipe is incredibly versatile, both as a spread and in recipes. Here are a few of our favorite ways to enjoy it.

As a Spread or Stir-In: Spread it on toast, English muffins, or pancakes, or swirl it into oatmeal, yogurt, or smoothies.

In Baking: Try it in quick breads, cakes, or stir into frostings for a subtle apple-cinnamon sweetness.

Savory Dishes: Use as a glaze for roasted meats like pork or chicken, or pair it with sweet potatoes.

Looking for more apple recipes? After making this easy apple butter recipe, explore our collection of syrup, sauce, and cider recipes to make the most of apple season.

Storing The Apple Butter

Here are the best ways we’ve tested to store your easy apple butter recipe.

Refrigerator

Store cooled apple butter in glass or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids for up to 3 weeks.

Freezer

Store in freezer-safe containers, leaving some room at the top to allow for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months.

How to Thaw

Remove the apple butter container from the freezer and let thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Stir well before serving. 

Before enjoying this apple butter recipe that’s been stored, give it a quick check. If you notice any off smells, changes in texture, or signs of mold, it’s best to play it safe and discard it. When in doubt, throw it out!