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Ready for the taste of fall? With minimal effort on your part? Welcome to our Ridiculously Easy Slow Cooked Apple Butter! Simply throw everything in the slow cooker and wait for the magic to happen! It's fabulous on toast, biscuits, scones and English muffins and is a wonderful addition to cheese and charcuterie appetizer boards.
The idea for this delicious slow-cooked apple butter came from an email from a Café reader. She said that she loved our jam and jelly recipes and was writing to inquire if I had "a recipe for apple butter made from applesauce".
Brilliant!
What!? Apple butter from apple sauce? I replied that I didn't but thought it was a brilliant idea and started doing a little online research. Sure enough, there were several recipes for apple butter from applesauce. That very day, while doing some grocery shopping. I picked up two large containers of applesauce.
I couldn't wait to try this idea so as soon as I got home from the store, I pulled out my slow cooker, added the applesauce, some fall spices, a dash of both balsamic and apple cider vinegar as well as a shot of bourbon. I set the cooker on high, covered it for an hour then let it cook, uncovered for the rest of the day.
Oh my! The aroma that filled the house was amazing and I could hardly wait for the applesauce mixture to thicken up. That evening, I gave Scott a little taste and we were both quite smitten. I've made several batches since then, tweaking the recipe a bit but not veering too far from that original concoction.
Buy it (and break the bank) or make it yourself?
One day while I was testing this recipe, Scott was out running some errands. I asked him to stop by Whole Foods and pick up a jar of nice apple butter so I could compare. He brought a small jar with a pretty gourmet label. I was surprised at the price, $7 for a fairly small amount. When I opened the jar and tried a taste, it was delicious but more like spiced applesauce rather than thick, spreadable apple butter and definitely not better than our home-brewed selection.
I love that, when making apple butter at home, you can go as thin or thick as you like. You also have control of the ingredients and don't have to add anything besides apples, brown sugar and spices. In addition to these two factors, it's super economical to make your own apple butter in comparison to purchased apple butter.
This apple butter recipe includes 2 46-ounce jars of applesauce (92-ounces total). I paid $3.49 per jar, a total of right around $7. The recipe yields 7-8 6-ounce jars, depending on how thick you allow the apple butter to get. Even with the added spices and brown sugar, that's infinitely cheaper than purchasing prepared apple butter which runs from $5 on up per jar. (I was at Williams Sonoma yesterday and noticed a 12-ounce jar of apple butter for $16.95!)
What to do with apple butter?
If you didn't grow up with apple butter, you might be wondering what to do with it. Here are a few suggestions:
- Spread it on toast, scones, biscuits, English muffins.
- Serve it on cheese and charcuterie boards.
- Use it as a glaze for grilled pork, chicken or salmon
- Dollop it on oatmeal for a tasty, gourmet breakfast.
- Serve it on ice cream for a fall treat!
- Stir it into your tea!
- Spread it on a sandwich, especially delicious with ham and cheese!
- Stir a couple of spoonfuls into mashed sweet potatoes.
- Use it as a base for pizza.
- Make an Apple Butter Barbeque Roasted Chicken.
- Swirl it into cakes and muffins.
- Make an Apple Butter Old Fashioned.
- Give it as a gift!
Give it as a gift!
This apple butter makes a fantastic hostess gift or an anytime gift for friends, family, coworkers, teachers... anyone you want to say "I care" to in a very delicious way. We've created a pretty label to adorn our gifts and would be happy to share them with you. Just leave a comment in the comment section at the very bottom of this post, letting us know you'd like to receive them. We'll email you a PDF for the labels along with instructions on how to use them.
So, if you're ready for a fabulous taste of fall, pick up some applesauce, next time you shop. Check out the ingredient list but you probably have almost everything else you'll need. Throw everything in the slow cooker and wait for the magical Autumn aromas to swirl into every nook and cranny of your home! ENJOY!
Café Tips for making this Ridiculously Easy Slow Cooked Apple Butter
- I like to look for applesauce for this recipe that has an ingredient list of simply "apples and water".
- The applesauce mixture cooks for one hour covered then the cover is removed for the remaining time. During that first hour, you can let it go, unattended. Once the cover is removed, it's important to give the apple mixture a good stir and to scrape down the sides of the slow cooker once every hour. As this apple butter cooks, it tends to get thicker around the edges so an occasional stir helps distribute the
- You can make this apple butter as thin or thick as you like by shortening or lengthening the cooking time. I like mine nice and thick but, as mentioned above, some delicious commercial apple butter is thinner than what's pictured in this post.
- Also, every slow cooker is a little different so your apple butter may need to cook less or more time than the recipe suggests.
- Don't skip the blending at the end to yield super creamy, "buttery" results.
- This apple butter can be canned with a hot water bath to be shelf stable (follow directions carefully in the recipe below) OR, if not put through a hot water bath, it can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer when not in use. (Note separate directions below for shelf-stable, canned apple butter as well as for apple butter that will need to be stored in the refrigerator or freezer.
Thought for the day:
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 18:2
What we're listening to for inspiration:
If you enjoy this recipe, please come back and leave a star rating and review! It’s so helpful to other readers to hear your results, adaptations and ideas for variations.
A delicious taste of fall with minimal effort! This Apple Butter is fabulous on toast, biscuits, scones, cheese and charcuterie boards, etc.
- 92 ounces no-sugar-added applesauce I use 2 46-ounce jars, (I use Motts
- 1½ cups brown sugar (I use dark brown sugar but light brown will also work)
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Bourbon (optional)
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 medium vanilla bean cut in half, lenthwise
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Combine all ingredients (including the split vanilla bean) in the bowl of a slow cooker.
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Cover and cook on HIGH for 1 hour, undisturbed.
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Uncover and cook an additional 7-9 hours, stirring well then scraping down the sides of the bowl at least every hour. Cook until nice and thick. One way to tell if the apple butter is done is to remove a spoonful to a small clean plate. When the apple butter is done, there will not be liquid that separates around the edges and the mixture should hold its shape. (The apple butter will thicken slightly when cooled.)
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Remove the vanilla bean then transfer the apple butter to the bowl of a food processor or blender. (be sure to vent the opening to prevent pressure build-up and explosion - I use a small funnel in the opening of the blender or food processor.) Process or blend for 3-4 minutes until super smooth and creamy then transfer to clean jars (if canning with a hot water bath, the jars should be sterilized).
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Prepare jars, canner, and jar lids while making the apple butter, according to canner manufacturer and USDA canning guidelines.
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Ladle the hot apple butter into hot, sterilized canning jars. Leave ¼-inch head space. Tap the jars gently on a work surface to remove any air bubbles. You can also do this by stirring the apple butter with a small plastic knife. Wipe the rims of the jars clean, top with the flat lid followed by screw ring lid tightened to fingertip tight.
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Process apple butter on a rack in the prepared canner, and process for 10 minutes for altitudes 0-1,000 ft, 15 minutes for altitudes 1,000-6,000 ft. and 20 minutes for altitudes above 6,000 ft. (Per Penn State Extension EDU)
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When done, remove canner lid, wait 5 minutes, then carefully remove jars from canner; let jars cool on kitchen towel on counter (not directly on counter-don’t want them to crack due to temperature extremes). Once you have made sure jars have sealed (you should hear a “pinging” sound), let them cool for 24 hours, then store the apple butter at room temperature for up to a year.
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Ladle apple butter into clean jars, leaving ½ inch of head space. Wipe the rims of the jars clean then top with flat lids followed by screw-on rings. Tighten rings, allow apple butter to cool then refrigerate or freeze for longer storage. Apple butter can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 weeks and in the freezer for up to a year.
See Café Tips above in the post for more detailed instructions and tips to ensure success.
If you prefer to use Metric measurements there is a button in each of our recipes, right above the word “Instructions”. Just click that button to toggle to grams, milliliters, etc. If you ever come across one of our recipes that doesn’t have the Metric conversion (some of the older recipes may not), feel free to leave a comment and I will add it.
Makes 7-8 6-ounce jars, depending on how long you let the apple butter cook.
Lauri says
Can homemade applesauce be used instead of the Mott's?
Chris Scheuer says
That should work fine, Lauri!
Lori says
I can’t wait to try the recipe and would also like the PDF for labels. Thank you!
Chris Scheuer says
Hope you enjoy it, Lori. Just sent the labels.
Vanessa says
This looks delicious! Would love the beautiful labels please!
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, sending them now, Venessa!
Donna O says
Another to add to my canning list from you! Going to WOW friends at Christmas with gift baskets full of these. Please send label pdf. Thanks so much!
Chris Scheuer says
I think I would like a gift basket from you, Donna!
just sent the labels!
DoLee Spurgeon says
Sorry, I already have the tomato jam labels , so you don't need to resend them.
thanks, DoLee
DoLee Spurgeon says
Thank you for all the great recipes. I'm really starting to get excited about our fall craft fair. I'll be in big trouble if all the jams, etc. I've made don't sell. May I have the labels for both the applesauce and the tomato jam, please?
Chris Scheuer says
Haha! Just sent the labels DoLee!
Darlene says
Thank you for this wonderful recipe. So much easier than peeling a d chopping up apples. Please send me your cute labels.
Chris Scheuer says
That is true, Darlene! Just sent you the labels.
Chris Scheuer says
It is so much easier! Sending the labels now, Darlene!
Karen Ciampa says
Fall is my favorite season. I look forward to making all things apple and pumpkin. I have made apple butter numerous times, but this recipe looks much more flavorful. Can’t wait to try it! Could you please send me the label pdf. Thanks so much.
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Karen, sending the labels now. Enjoy!
Chris Scheuer says
Hope you enjoy it, Karen. Happy to send the labels.
Kathy says
Sounds delicious, I would also appreciate receiving the labels for gift giving. Thank you
Chris Scheuer says
Happy to send them, Kathy!
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, they're on the way, Kathy!
Jean says
I remember apple butter from when I was a child. I have not had it in years. I am excited to try this recipe. Please send me the Apple Butter pdf lables. Thanks you!
Chris Scheuer says
Good memories are wonderful! Sending the labels your way, Jean.
Chris Scheuer says
Food memories are so awesome! Sending the labels now, Jean.
Erin Siela says
Can’t wait to make this. Please send the free labels.
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, sending them now, Erin.
Chris Scheuer says
The labels should be in your email, Erin.
Tamara Doerschuk says
I too would love to receive your label PDF. I love fall and enjoy making food gift’s to celebrate the bounty. Thank you for making these available. I’ve got Mott’s applesauce on my grocery list!
Chris Scheuer says
Awesome, the labels should be in your email, Tamara.
Chris Scheuer says
That's perfect! Hope you enjoy this apple butter, Tamara! Just sent the labels.
Lita DeVore says
Good idea for Christmas gifts, please send free printable labels. Friends are very happy with jams made from your recipes.
Chris Scheuer says
Perfect Christmas gift, Lita! Just sent the labels.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Lita! Happy to send the labels.
Beverly McDowell says
Another wonderful easy recipe!! I would also appreciate receiving the labels for gift giving. Thank you
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, they're coming your way, Beverly!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Beverly! Sending the labels now.
Janice T.Boyer says
Hi again Chris,
I am getting a collection of your
beautiful recipes and labels.
My sister lives in Meaford, On
(apple country). She always gives
me a jar of apple butter so this year I
will TREAT her with a jar.
Could you please send me the labels.
Thank you! Jan
Chris Scheuer says
That's so sweet, Janice! She will love it! Just sent the labels.
Deb says
Love the recipe! Will be making for Christmas gifts. Could I get the labels please?
Chris Scheuer says
Happy to send them, Deb!
Jacqueline Hughes says
Your labels would truly help me to gift my friends and family this coming Holiday Season. Thank you. I will be making apple butter from your recipe this week to sample ASAP…
Chris Scheuer says
Hope you enjoy it, Jacqueline! Just sent the labels.
Nadine Dunker says
We use to have apple butter in our home when I was growing up. I have not had it for years and cannot wait to try this recipe...thank you. May I have the label PDF?
Nadine Dunker
Chris Scheuer says
I love foods that bring back sweet memories! Sending the labels now, Nadine.
Joanne Gauthier says
Hi Chris! You know how I love your jam recipes so I can’t wait to try your apple butter. It looks so good 😊. I plan on giving some as gifts and would would appreciate receiving your labels. Thank you so much 😊. Joanne
Chris Scheuer says
This will make great gifts, Joanne. Just sent the labels.
Nikki Bryant says
I can’t wait to try this. Just found several large jars of applesauce in back of pantry during clean out. I’d love the labels.
Chris Scheuer says
That's perfect! Just sent them, Nikki!
Bonnie Flett says
Could you please send me the labels for this apple butter please?
Chris Scheuer says
Sending them now, Bonnie!
Diane Staes says
I would like the labels so I can gift my friends!
Chris Scheuer says
They're on the way, Diane!
Joan Hill says
I love this recipe and will be sharing it with friends and family as hostess gifts. I would like to have the PDF for the labels. Always love your recipes.
Chris Scheuer says
Sending them now, Joan!
Krista M Collins says
I love Apple Butter and would like the PDF of the labels. Thank you, Krista Collins
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, happy to send them, Krista!
Cat says
Apple Butter reminds me of childhood! Can’t wait to try this.
Thank you for sending labels.
Chris Scheuer says
You're welcome, Cat! Enjoy!