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Homemade Apple Butter

There’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of simmering apples and spices filling your kitchen. This homemade apple butter is a perfect way to savor fall’s best flavors. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a smooth, rich spread that pairs beautifully with your favorite bread, pancakes, or even stirred into yogurt. This recipe skips the hassle of peeling the apples, saving you time without sacrificing taste or texture.

Why You’re Going to Love This Recipe

  • No peeling required: Leave the apple peels on for an easier, faster process without compromising the smooth texture.
  • Deep, warm flavors: Dark brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg come together to create a deeply spiced spread.
  • Versatile uses: Spread it on toast, swirl into oatmeal, or use it as a topping for your morning waffles.
  • Long-lasting: Store in the fridge and enjoy your homemade apple butter for weeks to come.

How to Make the Best Apple Butter at Home (VIDEO)

Ingredients:

  • Apples (peeled or unpeeled)
  • Dark brown sugar
  • Water
  • Cinnamon sticks (Ceylon if possible)
  • Vanilla extract
  • Nutmeg
  • Lemon juice
  • Salt

Start by washing and coring your apples before chopping them into pieces. The peels stay on for this recipe, cutting down on prep time. In a pot over medium heat, add the apples along with dark brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, and a splash of water. Allow the mixture to come to a boil, then cover and cook until the apples are incredibly soft and tender.

Once your apples have softened, use an immersion blender to blend everything until smooth. Add the vanilla extract, a bit of lemon juice, and some extra water as you blend to achieve that perfect texture. Let it simmer on low to reduce, stirring occasionally, until thickened to your liking. The rich apple butter will continue to thicken as it cools, resulting in a spreadable, smooth consistency that’s ready to enjoy.

Storage Suggestions

Store your apple butter in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay fresh for several weeks and is perfect to have on hand for quick breakfasts or snacks. You can also freeze it if you want to keep it longer—just thaw it in the fridge overnight before using.

Ceylon Cinnamon vs. Other Cinnamon Types

One of the key ingredients in this recipe is cinnamon, and while you can use any cinnamon you have on hand, Ceylon cinnamon brings something special. Ceylon, also known as “true cinnamon,” has a subtle, sweeter flavor compared to the more common Cassia cinnamon, which has a spicier, stronger profile. Ceylon’s delicate taste enhances the apple butter without overpowering it, giving it a more nuanced and sophisticated flavor. If you don’t have Ceylon cinnamon available, regular cinnamon will work just fine, but using Ceylon can elevate the taste in a way that’s worth trying.

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Final Thoughts

This homemade apple butter is a simple way to transform fresh apples into something truly special. Whether you spread it on toast, drizzle it over pancakes, or use it as a gift for loved ones, you’ll savor every bite. Enjoy!

Print Recipe

Homemade Apple Butter

There’s something irresistibly cozy about a jar of homemade apple butter. This velvety spread brings out the essence of autumn with each spoonful, blending warm spices, rich brown sugar, and perfectly soft apples. The best part? It’s simpler than you might think. With minimal effort, you’ll have a batch of smooth, sweet apple butter that’s perfect for spreading on toast, swirling into oatmeal, or gifting to friends. This recipe skips the peeling for an even easier process, but the result is still pure apple goodness. Let’s make your kitchen smell like fall!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Course: Breakfast, brunch
Cuisine: American
Keyword: apple butter
Author: kingcooks

Ingredients

  • 3-4 lbs apples
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar packed
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 cinnamon sticks Ceylon if possible
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp nutmeg ground
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

  • If you chose to leave the peel on like I did, make sure to give the apples a good washing beforehand.
  • I found that the peel didn’t make a difference in the end. I cut the step to save time and effort.
  • Core and chop the apples into 1 inch pieces.
  • Transfer to a pot over medium heat.
  • To the pot, add dark brown sugar, 1/2 cup of water, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg and salt.
  • Stir to incorporate all the ingredients and allow to come to a boil.
  • Once a boil is achieved, cover and allow to cook until the apples are super soft, about 30-40 minutes.
  • Once cooked, remove the cinnamon and lower the heat to low.
  • Using an immersion blender, blend the apples until smooth. Half way through blending, add the remaining 1/2 cup of water, lemon juice and vanilla extract.
  • Cover and allow to reduced for an additional 30 minutes until the apple butter is thick and most of the liquid has evaporated. Stir occasionally.
  • If the mixture is watery after 30 minutes, allow it to reduce uncovered.
  • The butter will also thicken as it cools.
  • Once cooled and the perfect texture is achieved, transfer to an airtight container and place in the fridge until you’re ready to use. Enjoy!

Notes

Notes: can also replace the water used with apple juice. I decided to add a liquid to prevent the apples from burning as they cook down. I found it also helped with getting a smooth texture in the end.
Why Ceylon cinnamon?
This variety is grown in Sri Lanka and is often referred to as the “true” cinnamon. It has a more subtle cinnamon flavor with a citrusy hint.