Canning Apple Butter Recipe

If you’re ready to fill your kitchen with the coziest autumn aromas and stock your pantry with a jarred treasure, you’ve got to experience canning apple butter! This rich, velvety spread blends sweet, spiced apples into a smooth, deeply comforting preserve that’s equally perfect on warm biscuits or swirled into oatmeal. It’s a delightful way to capture the season and, with the canning process, enjoy homemade apple butter all year long. Whether you’re a seasoned canner or just starting out, this recipe makes it easy to create something truly special for breakfasts, gifts, or simply savoring by the spoonful.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredient list for canning apple butter is delightfully short, but each one truly matters, imparting layers of flavor, sweetness, warmth, or that signature silky texture. Here’s what you’ll need for a batch that tastes as though it came straight from an autumn apple orchard:

• Apples (6 pounds, such as Fuji, Gala, or McIntosh): Use a mix of sweet, tender apples for depth; peeling, coring, and slicing ensures a smooth and spreadable apple butter.
• Granulated sugar (2 cups): Lends classic, clean sweetness—you can adjust this depending on the apples’ natural sugar and your desired level of sweetness.
• Packed brown sugar (1 cup): Adds rich caramel undertones and a lovely hint of molasses.
• Ground cinnamon (1 tablespoon): The unmistakable warmth of cinnamon is a must-have in apple butter.
• Ground nutmeg (½ teaspoon): For just the right amount of aromatic, nutty complexity.
• Ground cloves (¼ teaspoon): Brings cozy, spicy depth—don’t skip these, they elevate the whole batch.
• Salt (¼ teaspoon): Balances out all the sweetness and lifts the other flavors.
• Vanilla extract (1 tablespoon): Rounded, aromatic softness—a finishing touch for fragrance and flavor.
• Apple cider or water (½ cup): Keeps the apples moist while they break down and infuses a bit more apple essence.

How to Make Canning Apple Butter

Step 1: Prep the Apples and Start Cooking

Begin by peeling, coring, and slicing your apples. The smaller and more uniform your slices, the more evenly everything will cook down. Place all those beautiful apple slices right into a large slow cooker and pour in your apple cider or water to keep things loose and steamy. This is where the magic begins as the apples start to soften and release their juice.

Step 2: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover and cook the apples on low for about 10 hours. Yes, this is a long haul, but it’s incredibly forgiving—just a gentle stir now and then is all it takes. As the hours pass, the apples will become gloriously soft and fragrant, ready for their transformation into apple butter.

Step 3: Puree Until Silky Smooth

Once your apples are irresistibly tender, turn off the heat and use an immersion blender directly in the slow cooker to puree everything. If you don’t have one, you can scoop the apples in batches into a regular blender—just be sure it’s not too full, as hot liquids expand. Puree until utterly smooth and glossy.

Step 4: Spice and Sweeten the Puree

Now comes the flavor party! Add in the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Carefully stir until fully combined—the mixture should be gorgeously spiced and sweet. Return to cooking, uncovered, for another 1 to 2 hours on low, giving an occasional stir. This step thickens the apple butter to that classic, spreadable consistency you can’t help but swipe onto everything.

Step 5: Finish with Vanilla

Right before you’re ready to can, stir in the vanilla extract. The kitchen will smell incredible, and the added vanilla brings a wonderful softness to the final product.

Step 6: Sterilize the Jars

Before you fill your jars, safety comes first. Boil your jars and lids for 10 minutes to sterilize. This step helps ensure your canned apple butter will be shelf-stable and safe for months to come, and it’s a classic part of the home canning tradition.

Step 7: Fill and Process the Jars

With both your apple butter and jars piping hot, fill each jar carefully, leaving a ¼-inch headspace at the top. Wipe the rims, place the lids and bands on, and process the jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes (be sure to adjust if you’re at higher altitude). When finished, let the jars cool untouched for 24 hours—the satisfying “pop” means they’re sealed. You’ve just made beautiful, shelf-stable canning apple butter!

How to Serve Canning Apple Butter

Garnishes

Sprinkle a little cinnamon on top of a fresh spoonful, or add a dollop of whipped cream for a dessert-like treat. For a gorgeous presentation, try a few thin apple slices or even a tiny dusting of nutmeg right before serving.

Side Dishes

Canning apple butter is fantastic with warm biscuits, toast, or scones—classic companions! It’s also lovely alongside pancakes, waffles, or stirred into oatmeal for a breakfast upgrade. For something savory, offer it with a cheese platter; the sweet-tart flavor pairs beautifully with sharp cheddar or soft brie.

Creative Ways to Present

Fill small jars for easy gifting during the holidays or as a host gift. You can also swirl canning apple butter through yogurt or vanilla ice cream for a fall-inspired dessert, or use it as a glaze for roasted meats like pork or chicken. Don’t be afraid to get creative—it elevates both sweet and savory dishes!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once opened, a jar of canning apple butter will keep beautifully in the refrigerator for about 2 to 3 weeks. Make sure to use a clean spoon each time to help preserve freshness and flavor.

Freezing

If you have extra that you don’t want to process in jars, freezer-safe containers work perfectly. Pour cooled apple butter into the containers, leaving a bit of headspace, and freeze for up to 6 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge when you’re ready to enjoy!

Reheating

Canning apple butter is delicious straight from the fridge, but if you want it warm (especially for biscuits or pancakes), simply scoop out a bit and heat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop, stirring often. The aroma will take you right back to the day you made it.

FAQs

What type Preserves

A blend of sweet and tart apples, like Fuji, Gala, or McIntosh, works wonderfully. Combining varieties adds complexity and balances natural sweetness with acidity, for the perfect apple butter flavor.

Can I reduce the sugar if I prefer my apple butter less sweet?

Absolutely! You can easily adjust the amount of sugar based on taste or even the sweetness of your apples. Taste as you go after pureeing, and add the sugars gradually until it’s just right for you.

How do I know when the apple butter is thick enough?

The mixture should mound slightly on a spoon and not run off quickly. Remember, it thickens further as it cools, so pull it off the heat once it’s a bit looser than your final desired texture.

Can I make this recipe without a slow cooker?

Yes, you can make canning apple butter on the stovetop by simmering the apples gently over low heat in a large pot. Just stir frequently to prevent sticking and watch that it doesn’t burn on the bottom.

How long does sealed apple butter last?

Properly canned and sealed apple butter will last in a cool, dark pantry for up to a year. Be sure to check the seal and discard any jars that appear swollen or develop off-smells over time.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never tried tackling canning apple butter before, trust me; it’s an incredibly rewarding (and delicious) weekend project. There’s nothing quite like popping open a homemade jar when you need a taste of autumn, no matter the season. Give it a go and let this sweet, spiced spread work its magic across breakfasts, desserts, and gifting. Your pantry will be all the richer for it!

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