Homemade Cinnamon Apple Butter Recipe
Homemade Cinnamon Apple Butter is a rich, spiced spread made from slow-cooked apples, dark brown sugar, and warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. This deeply caramelized apple butter is perfect for spreading on toast, baking into recipes, or adding a touch of fall flavor to various dishes. Prepared on the stovetop with a patient simmer to develop a thick, smooth consistency, it yields a large batch ideal for long-term storage or gifting.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 32 servings
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Apple Butter Ingredients
- 5 pounds apples (soft varieties like Gala or Golden Delicious), peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
Instructions
- Prep the apples: Peel and cut the apples into approximately 1-inch chunks. The pieces don't need to be uniform as they will break down during cooking.
- Preheat and combine: Warm a large pot over medium-low heat. Add the apples, dark brown sugar, sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and Kosher salt. Stir thoroughly with a wooden spoon or paddle to evenly coat all apple pieces with the sugar and spices.
- Cook the apples: Let the apples gently cook over low heat, stirring frequently and scraping the bottom of the pot to prevent burning. This slow process takes about two hours, allowing the mixture to caramelize and thicken into a deep brown, luscious consistency.
- Process the apple butter: Regular stirring and slow cooking should naturally break the apples down into a smooth, spreadable paste. If the texture is still chunky or thin, use an immersion blender or blend in small batches to achieve a creamy consistency. If too thin, return to heat and cook longer until thickened.
- Cool, store, and enjoy: Allow the apple butter to cool to room temperature. Transfer to airtight jars and refrigerate. Properly stored, the apple butter will keep fresh for 2-3 weeks.
Notes
- Use soft apple varieties like Gala or Golden Delicious for best flavor and texture.
- Stir regularly to avoid burning and ensure even cooking.
- If using a slow cooker, blending the final product may be necessary for smoothness.
- Apple butter can be refrigerated for up to three weeks or frozen for longer storage.
- Adjust spices according to personal taste preferences.