apple butter

Apple butter is a thick, spiced apple spread that’s slow-cooked until the apples turn caramelized, silky, and deeply flavorful. 🍎🍯 It’s not actually butter — the name comes from its smooth, spreadable texture. Perfect on toast, biscuits, pancakes, or even swirled into yogurt and oatmeal.

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🍎 Homemade Apple Butter Recipe

Ingredients

• 5–6 lbs apples (a mix of sweet + tart, like Fuji, Gala, and Granny Smith)

• 1 cup apple cider (or apple juice)

• 1 cup brown sugar (adjust to taste)

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• ½ tsp ground cloves

• ½ tsp nutmeg

• Pinch of salt

• 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional, added at the end)

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Directions (Slow Cooker Version – easiest)

1. Prep the apples: Peel, core, and slice apples.

2. Cook: Place apples, cider, sugar, and spices into a slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 8–10 hours (or HIGH for 4–5), stirring occasionally, until apples are very soft and dark brown.

3. Blend: Use an immersion blender (or regular blender) to puree until smooth.

4. Thicken: Continue cooking uncovered on LOW for another 1–2 hours, stirring, until thick and spreadable.

5. Finish: Stir in vanilla if using. Let cool, then store in jars in the fridge (up to 3 weeks) or freeze for longer storage.

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Quick Uses for Apple Butter

• Spread on biscuits, toast, or pancakes 🥞

• Stir into oatmeal or yogurt

• Use as a glaze for pork or chicken

• Swirl into cheesecake, muffins, or quick breads

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Would you like me to also give you a stovetop version (faster but needs stirring) or keep it slow cooker style for that deep, caramelized flavor?