If you’re looking for a simple, no-fuss Apple Butter recipe, you’re in right place. With no need to peel the apples, it comes together effortlessly and fills your home with the warm, inviting scent of cinnamon and cloves.
Slow-cooked to perfection, apple butter transforms fresh apples into a velvety, spiced spread with a deep, caramelized flavour. Unlike traditional jams or jellies, it has a smooth, buttery consistency- without any actual butter. The long, slow-cooking process allows the apple peels to break down completely, so there’s no extra prep work required. Just chop the apples, add the sugar, apple juice and spices and let them cook slowly.
Apple Butter is incredibly versatile, spread it on toast, swirl it into oatmeal, drizzle it over pancakes, or pair it with sharp cheddar for a sweet-savory contrast. It also makes a thoughtful homemade gift, perfect for sharing during the holidays.
Store-bought apple butter can be hard to find, and when you do, it’s often lacking in depth and flavour. Making your own means you control the sweetness and spices, creating a rich, cozy spread that tastes far better than anything from a jar. Whether you’re preserving an apple harvest or just craving a taste of apple butter, this easy apple butter recipe is sure to become a seasonal favorite.
What is Apple Butter?
Apple Butter is a thick, caramelized spread made by slow-cooking pureed apples until they develop a deep, rich flavour. Despite its name, it contains no butter- the term refers to its smooth, buttery consistency. The extended cooking process allows the natural sugars in the apples to caramelize, giving it a darker hue and intensified sweetness.
This versatile spread goes beyond just toast. It can be used as a filling for baked goods, a topping for pancakes, or even an ingredient in marinades and sauces. Its concentrated apple flavour makes it an excellent substitute for jam in recipes like crumb bars or fruit filled pastries. Apple butter also pairs wonderfully with savory dishes, such as roasted meats or cheese boards.
Whether you make it at home or buy it from a store, apple butter is a delightful way to enjoy the essence of apples year-round. Its smooth texture and rich taste makes it a staple in fall-inspired cooking, but it’s delicious any time of the year.
Why you’ll love this recipe:
This recipe is a game-changer for anyone who loves effortless cooking with delicious results.
The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity- sweet,juicy apples shine with just the right balance of sugar and spice, creating a rich and comforting fall-inspired treat. There’s no overwhelming sweetness, just a natural, deep apple flavour that makes every spoonful irresistible.
And the best time-saver? No peeling required. The skins cook down beautifully, adding depth of flavour and cutting down on prep work. It’s a win-win- less effort and more taste. Whether you enjoy it warm over toast, swirled into oatmeal, or straight from the jar, this recipe is sure to become a favourite in your kitchen.
You can double or triple the recipe, perfect for stocking up or sharing with friends and family. Whether you keep it all to yourself or gift jar to someone special, there’s plenty to go around.
Ingredients needed for Apple Butter:
To create a rich, velvety apple butter, you’ll need just a handful of ingredients and a bit of patience.
Apple: Apple is the star of the dish, there’s no need to peel them. Simply core and chop the apples. Honeycrisp, Granny smith, Fuji, gala or McIntosh, or mix them for a more complex flavour.
Sugar: This recipe calls for both white and brown sugar. Brown sugar enhances the caramelization process and deepens the richness of the butter. If preferred, you can stick to just white sugar.
Spices: Warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and allspice add depth and a cozy aroma, perfectly complementing the apples.
Apple juice: Finally, a splash of apple juice intensifies the fruitiness, making the spread even more flavourful. With slow cooking, these ingredients meld together into a dark, silky-smooth apple butter that’s bursting with autumnal goodness.
Use of Apple Butter:
Apple Butter is a thick, spiced fruit spared made by slow-cooking apples until caramelized and smooth. Traditionally, it’s used as a topping for biscuit, toast and bread, adding a rich, sweet, and slightly tang flavour. It’s also delicious on oatmeal, pancakes, waffles and crepes, enhancing breakfast dishes with its deep-apple-cinnamon taste. Some people pair it with savory foods like scrapple, roasted meats, or cheese for a unique contrast. It can also be stirred into yogurt, spared on sandwiches or used as a filling for pastries.
Storage Tips:
Store fresh apple butter in the fridge for at least a couple of weeks, if not longer. Properly sealed, water-bathed canned jars can last for years in the pantry but are best used within a year. Once opened, refrigerate and use within weeks. For long-tern storage, freeze apple butter in small containers for up to a year-just thaw as needed.
Ingredients
5 nos. Apple
1 cup Apple Juice
3/4 cup Granulated Sugar
1/4 cup brown Sugar
1 tsp Spice mix (1 tbsp cinnamon powder, 1/8 tsp Ground clove, 1/8 tsp grated nutmeg, 1/2 tsp ground all spice)
Preparation
- Step 1: Slice the apples into small pieces and dispose of cores.
- Step 2: Place chopped apples in a sauce pan, add apple juice, white sugar, brown sugar and spice mix and mix well.
- Step 3: Cover and cook on medium-low heat, until apples are starting to soften and release liquid. Stir occasionally.
- Step 4: Turn off the heat. Puree using an immersion blender until smooth. Turn on the heat again, continue to cook on low heat, stirring occasionally, until darkened and thick, about 30-40 minutes.
- Step 5: Cover and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or freeze in small containers.
About Me
DEBJANI MONDAL
Welcome to Kitchenstagram, the home of delicious recipes, culinary inspiration and cooking adventures. I’m Debjani and I’m thrilled to be your guide through the wonderful world of food. I’m a self-taught professional baker, home chef, recipe developer, author of Kitchenstagram and an aspiring YouTuber.
My passion for food and cooking began at a very young age, when I would watch my mom and dad cook for me and my brother. My dad, in particular is a great cook whose culinary skills made a lasting impression on me. My dad would cook up a storm on special occasions by cooking variety of dishes, from delicious biriyani to samosa, fish fry, rasgullas and kachoris (sweet & spicy deep fried pastry with filling of lentils, meat or fish…>>>>>
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