Chef John's Apple Butter

4.9
(97)

Move over, apple sauce. Apple butter is basically a spreadable apple pie filling, only better. Though cooking time is long, it's super easy and pretty hands-free. Pair it with some sharp Cheddar on a cheese plate, or slather it onto cheesy biscuits (see footnote). Other approved uses include spreading between the layers of a spice cake, filling seasonably appropriate thumbprint cookies, or even as a condiment for pork chops.

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

Ingredients

  • 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

  • 1 splash water

Directions

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

Tips

Chef's Notes:

Any classic cooking apple should work in this recipe.

If you don't have a slow cooker you can certainly do it on top of the stove 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.

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
Vitamin C 4mg 18%
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.

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