The Best Old Fashioned Apple Butter for Canning
This Old Fashioned Apple Butter is a delicious blend of sweet apples, warm spices, and a splash of apple brandy for extra depth. Slow-cooked to perfection, this rich, flavorful spread is perfect on toast, biscuits, or even straight from the jar.
The perfect fall recipe for waterbath canning, you can make this on the stovetop or in your slow cooker. Optional apple brandy plus plenty of spices make this a fall classic you’ll make every year.
Old Fashioned Apple Butter
Equipment
- Waterbath canning equipment
- Pint or half-pint jars
Ingredients
- 4 pounds apples, peeled and quartered (about 12 medium apples)
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup apple brandy (can substitute apple cider or water)
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves
- 1 tablespoon bottled lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
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Instructions
- Prepare your apples. Before you get started, make sure to prepare your apples by peeling and quartering them. Peeling the apples by hand is the easiest way to do it. Even if you have a fancy apple peeler with a turning handle, it might take longer to set it up than to peel the apples by hand.
- Prep the waterbath canner and jars. Warm up empty jars by washing them in the dishwasher or a 200°F oven. Put the rings and lids in simmering water. Then, fill the canner with water and place it on the stovetop. Depending on how fast your stove heats up, you can heat the canner now or later.
- Cook the apples until soft. Place apples, water, and apple brandy in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low, cover the saucepan, and simmer the apples for 20-30 minutes or until they are soft enough to be easily pierced with a fork.
- Blend the apples until smooth, and add the sugar, spices, lemon juice, and salt. Using an immersion blender, blend the apples until completely smooth. Then, add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, lemon juice, and salt. Don't forget to stir until combined.
- Cook until thickened. Bring the apple butter to a simmer and cook, stirring frequently, for 15-30 minutes or until thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon. The apple butter will become darker as it cooks.
- Fill jars and process in canner. Fill hot jars with hot apple butter, leaving 1/4 inch of headspace. Wipe the rims clean and place the lids on top. Screw the bands on, tightening the jars until fingertip tight. Process in the canner for 15 minutes, fully submerged.
- Cool and store. Let the jars rest on the counter for 24 hours until cool and sealed. The jar lid should not move when pressed. Store in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
We love, love, LOVE this old-fashioned apple butter recipe in our house. It’s one of those things that just makes everything feel a bit cozier and more special. Whether it’s spread on toast, swirled into oatmeal, or dolloped onto pancakes, it’s always a hit. I remember the first time I made it, the whole kitchen smelled like a fall wonderland, and I couldn’t wait to taste it. Everyone was hooked from the first bite! It’s become a tradition to make a big batch every apple season, and we always end up sharing jars with friends and family.
I hope you love it as much as we do!
Key Ingredients and Tools
This recipe needs some important ingredients and tools to help you get the best results. Here are some key ones:
- Apple brandy: This adds flavor depth. You can usually find it in liquor stores or larger supermarkets’ wine and spirits sections. If unavailable, apple cider or water can be used as substitutes.
- Hand blender: This is essential for achieving a smooth, silky texture. A regular blender can also be used if you don’t have one.
- Canning jars: These are essential for preserving the apple butter. These are usually found in the kitchenware section of big-box stores, specialty kitchen stores, or online. They may also be stocked in grocery stores during the canning season (late summer to early fall).
- Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon adds warmth and spice. You can also use fresh cinnamon sticks, which can be removed before blending.
Using these items will help make sure that your apple butter is delicious and has the perfect texture.
Substituting Ingredients
If you don’t have apple brandy, you can substitute it with apple cider, apple juice, or water. Each will slightly alter the flavor but will still result in a delicious apple butter.
And for a healthier option, reduce the sugar by half. Use 1/2 cup of granulated sugar and 1/2 cup of light brown sugar. It will still be sweet but with less sugar content.
FAQs
The best apples for apple butter are a mix of sweet and tart varieties like Granny Smith apples and Fuji. This combination ensures a well-balanced flavor.
Yes, you can use a food processor to blend the cooked apples until smooth. Make sure to do it in batches to avoid overfilling.
You can reduce the amount of sugar by half if you prefer a less sweet apple butter. Start with 1/2 cup of granulated sugar and 1/2 cup of light brown sugar, then taste and adjust as needed.
Yes, you can substitute some or all of the sugar with maple syrup for a different flavor profile. Start with 1 cup of maple syrup and adjust to taste.
Put a spoonful on a plate and let it cool to test if your apple butter is thick enough. If it doesn’t spread much, it’s ready.
Use a jar lifter to gently tap the jars on the counter to release any air bubbles before sealing them. This helps ensure a proper seal and prevents spoilage.
Enjoy making this Old Fashioned Apple Butter and savor its rich, comforting flavors. It’s perfect for sharing with family and friends or as a special homemade treat for yourself.
Remember, the key to perfect apple butter is patience—let it simmer until it’s just right.
By Katie Shaw
Katie shares simple, reliable recipes from her home in Virginia, where she lives with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens.
I have made this for several years now. I make the applesauce on the stovetop then put it in the crockpot to finish before canning. Such great apple flavor!!!
hai Kathy! thank you! happy fall 🙂
I used my crock pot and this turned out delish! I did add 1/2tsp allspice for an extra bit of spice…super easy ..plus I used apple scraps and made apple cider!
Can you use plain brandy instead of apple brandy? Will it make a significant differance?
it will be just fine 🙂
I have Made this Apple Butter recipe many times. I give as gifts. Everyone wants more when theirs is gone. I don’t peel the apples. I cut in small size and make it in the crock pot. YUMMY
Very good and just sweet enough.
Amazing!!!!!
Absolutely delicious. I will definitely make this recipe again.
This recipe is simular to the one that I got from my german grandmother, but I lost it. It was enough to trigger my memories. The internet tends to be the go all to sesarch but realized that it is not so easy to find due to in-leads for adverstisement.
This is DELICIOUS! I will definitely be using this recipe again. It was definitely sweet so I will probably reduce the sugar a bit next time (personal preference) and the whole process took so much longer than I thought it would (waiting for the canner water to boil, sterilizing the jars, etc.) but it was well worth the effort. Thanks for sharing!
i’m so happy to hear that miranda. yes, canning takes FOREVER! you deserve a relaxing evening!
Hi, how many pints does this recipe make?
3 pints or 6 half pints 🙂
Great recipe! Easy to follow and understand. This is the best Apple Butter recipe ❣️ Thank you for my sick easy and clear explainations. Looking forward to trying more of your recipes!
hi Kat!! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to leave me a comment. 🙂