Chef John's Apple Butter

4.8
(117)

Apple butter is basically a spreadable apple pie filling, only better! Though the cooking time is long, it's a super easy recipe and pretty hands-free. Pair it with some sharp Cheddar on a cheese plate, or slather it onto cheesy biscuits.

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Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
10 hrs
Total Time:
10 hrs 15 mins
Servings:
32
Yield:
4 cups
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 32 servings

  • 5 pounds Granny Smith apples, cored and cut into 1-inch pieces

  • 1 ½ cups white sugar

  • ½ cup brown sugar

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

  • teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

  • ½ teaspoon ground allspice

  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar

  • ½ cup water

Directions

  1. Place apple pieces into a large slow cooker. Add white sugar, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and vinegar. Add water and mix well.

  2. Cover and cook on High until apples are starting to soften and release liquid, 1 to 2 hours. Reduce heat to Low and cook, uncovered, until all the apple flesh is dissolved, 5 to 6 hours. Stir occasionally.

  3. Puree using an immersion blender until smooth. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until darkened and thick, about 4 hours more. Pass apple butter through a strainer if desired. Seal in a glass container and refrigerate until cool.

    close up view of Apple Butter in a jar with a butter knife
    Chef John

Chef's Notes

Any classic cooking apple should work in this recipe.

If you don't have a slow cooker, you can certainly make this on the stovetop over low heat, as long as you use a nice thick-bottomed pot and stir often. Another option would be to place the mixture in a large roasting pan and cook it in a slow oven, stirring occasionally until dark and thick.

This apple butter is delicious on cheese biscuits, spread between the layers of a spice cake, or used as a condiment for pork chops.

See my recipe for Irish Cheddar Spring Onion Biscuits.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

82 Calories
22g Carbs
0g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 32
Calories 82
% Daily Value *
Sodium 75mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 22g 8%
Dietary Fiber 2g 5%
Total Sugars 20g
Protein 0g 0%
Vitamin C 4mg 4%
Calcium 9mg 1%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 86mg 2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.