Rich & Spiced Homemade Apple Butter for Canning
Homemade Apple Butter for Canning
Michigan fall means apples everywhere. Whether they come from your own trees or a local orchard, homemade apple butter is one of the easiest ways to turn a big batch of apples into something rich, spiced, and shelf‑stable. It’s very similar to making applesauce, just cooked longer until it thickens into a deep, caramelized spread.
If you’re cutting a lot of apples at once, they will start to brown. A splash of lemon juice in the water helps keep them looking fresh while you work.
Once the apples soften, you can puree them. A blender works great for this because it gives you that applesauce texture without turning everything into liquid.
Why You’ll Love This Apple Butter
- Slow cooker or stovetop friendly
- Uses everyday ingredients you already have
- Perfect for toast, biscuits, pancakes, and fall baking
- A great way to use up orchard apples or backyard harvest
- Stores up to two years when properly canned
What You’ll Learn
- How long homemade apple butter lasts
- The best apples for apple butter
- How to cook apple butter on the stove or in a slow cooker
- How to safely can apple butter
- How to adjust sweetness and flavor
Ingredients You Need
- Fresh apples
- Sugar
- Lemon juice
- Cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice
- Water or apple juice (optional)
You can mix sweet and tart apples for better flavor. Baking apples like fuji, gala, or granny smith soften well and give you a smooth puree.
How to Make Apple Butter
Cook the apples until soft, puree them, then simmer until thick and rich. You can use a slow cooker or a large pot like a dutch oven. The slow cooker is easier, but the stove is faster if you don’t mind stirring.
Once the butter reaches your desired thickness, ladle it into sterilized jars and process in a water bath canner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is apple butter good for you?
It’s made from apples, but it does contain sugar. Homemade versions let you control how sweet it is.
What apples work best?
Use baking apples like fuji, gala, or granny smith. They soften well and blend smoothly.
Do you need a slow cooker?
No. A dutch oven works just fine.
Do you need an immersion blender?
No. A stand blender works too. Just be careful with hot liquid.
Do you need to peel the apples?
Yes. Leaving the peels on can affect texture and add bitterness.
Is it easier on the stove or crock pot?
The slow cooker is easier but takes longer. The stove is quicker but needs more attention.
How long does apple butter last?
About two years when properly canned. Always label and date your jars.
Can you substitute water for apple juice?
Yes, but it’s not necessary.
Homemade Canned Apple Butter
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 medium size soft apples, peeled and quartered
- 2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 4 cups sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground clove
Instructions
- In a large pot, add the water lemon juice and apples.
- Cook on medium heat and stir so that all the apples soften.
- When you are able to cut apples with your ladle/spoon they are soft. They also look more translucent.
- Add the apples into a blender and blend until they look like apple sauce.
- Put back into the pan, and add the sugar, cinnamon and ground cloves)Stir to incorporate into the apples and continue cooking.
- Allow to come to a slow bubble, continue to stir. When you it stays on your spoon in a mound without running everywhere, it's time to put into the jars.
- Leave 1/4" headroom from the top of the jars.
- Add the seal and band.
- Put it water bath for 15 minutes (15 minutes starts once water comes to a boil)Remove and allow jars to seal.
- Write the date and what it is on the seal or use fancy labels.
Video
Check out our other canning recipes.
