Learn how to make apple butter the old-fashioned way, a slow-cooked, spiced spread that captures the essence of autumn.

Turn fresh apples into a smooth, flavorful preserve that’s perfect for toast, biscuits and more.

For more delicious fall recipes, check out our apple recipes.

With just a few simple ingredients and some patience, you’ll have a homemade treat that brings back the cozy, comforting taste of classic apple butter, just like grandma used to make.

What is old fashioned apple butter?

Our old fashioned apple butter recipe is a sweet, spiced spread made by slowly cooking apples with sugar and spices. With hints of cinnamon, cloves, and allspice, it’s perfect on toast, biscuits, pancakes, or even savory dishes. Unlike regular applesauce, apple butter has a rich taste and smooth texture that captures the essence of autumn in every bite.

Best Apples for Apple Butter

The best apples for apple butter are typically a mix of sweet and tart varieties to balance the flavor. Good choices include:

Granny Smith
McIntosh
Fuji
Gala
Honeycrisp
Jonagold
Braeburn
Golden Delicious

Using a blend of these apples will give your own apple butter a rich, well-rounded taste.

How do you make apple butter?

Gather your ingredients:

In a heavy-bottomed pot, combine a medley of sweet and tart apple varieties, peeled, cored, and chopped.

Pour in the water and apple cider vinegar.

Sprinkle in the salt, pumpkin spice and ginger and mix.

Place them in a large thick-bottomed pot such as a dutch oven.

How long to cook apple butter?

Cover and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon while the apple butter cooks until the apples are very soft, about 25 minutes.

This allows the flavors to develop throughout the cooking process and the apples to break down gradually.

Using a whisk or an immersion blender, stir the cooked apples around until the apples become a sauce.

Add the brown sugar and vanilla extract to the pot, stir, and cook over medium heat stirring constantly until the sauce has thickened to and becomes dark brown, about 15 minutes.

Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Using a whisk or an immersion blender, stir the cooked apples around until the apples become a sauce.

Add the brown sugar and vanilla extract to the pot, stir, and cook over medium heat stirring constantly until the sauce has thickened to and becomes dark brown, about 15 minutes.

Taste the mixture, adjusting the spices or sweetness if desired.

Let the hot apple butter cool before storing in an airtight container or mason jar for up to 3 weeks in the refrigerator.

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How long will homemade apple butter last?

Homemade apple butter, when properly stored, can last for:

Refrigerated – Up to 2-3 weeks in an airtight container.
Frozen – Up to a year in a freezer-safe container.
Canned – Up to a year or more if processed correctly using a water bath canning process and stored in a cool, dark place.

What is Apple Butter Used for?

Here are some popular apple butter uses:

Spread on Toast and Biscuit – It’s delicious on toast, English muffins, biscuits, muffins, and scones.
Pancake and Waffle Topping – Use it as a sweet topping for pancakes and waffles.
Flavorful Addition to Yogurt and Oatmeal – Stir it into yogurt or oatmeal for extra flavor.
Baking – Incorporate it into recipes for cakes, muffins, and cookies for added moisture and flavor.
Savory Dishes – Pair it with pork chops, chicken, or roast vegetables for a sweet and savory combination.
Cheese Boards – Serve it alongside cheeses and crackers for a delicious appetizer.
Sandwiches – Use it as a spread in sandwiches, especially with peanut butter or turkey.

Homemade Apple Butter Recipe

Name: Homemade Apple Butter Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 fresh, tart apples, about 3lbs; 1 cup water; ¾ cup apple cider vinegar; 1 tsp salt; 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice; ½ tsp ground ginger; 1 cup light brown sugar, packed; 1 ¼ tsp vanilla extract

Yield: 12

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Start with fresh, ripe apples and follow these steps to make the best apple butter recipe right in your own kitchen. This small batch apple butter recipe is perfect for enjoying on toast, biscuits or rolls!

Ingredients

6 fresh, tart apples, about 3lbs
1 cup water
¾ cup apple cider vinegar
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
½ tsp ground ginger
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 ¼ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Peel and core the granny smith apples and place them in a large pot or dutch oven
Pour in the water and apple cider vinegar.
Sprinkle in the salt, pumpkin spice and ginger and mix.
Cover and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the apples are very soft, about 25 minutes.
Using a whisk, stir the cooked apples around until the apples become a sauce.
Add the brown sugar and vanilla extract to the pot, stir, and cook over medium heat stirring constantly until the sauce has thickened to and becomes dark brown, about 15 minutes.

Let cool before storing.

Notes

Best Apples for Apple Butter

The best apples for apple butter making are the tart, crisp apples, such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Rome. Tart apples have more sugar and less water than sweet apples, so they're ideal for making apple butter.

Can I freeze homemade apple butter?

Yes, you can freeze homemade apple butter. In fact, freezing is one of the best ways to preserve the freshness and flavor of your apple butter. Simply place it in an airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to six months.

Make sure to leave at least a half inch headspace at the top of the jar to allow the apple butter to expand as it freezes and prevent any spillage or messes. When thawing frozen apple butter, the best method is to place it in the refrigerator overnight. This will allow it to slowly thaw and maintain its texture