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5 from 6 votes

How to Make Apple Butter

Learn how to make homemade apple butter with this easy-to-follow guide featuring the traditional stovetop method and the newer Instant Pot way.
Course Condiments
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings 48 servings (2 tbsp)
Calories 33kcal
Author Yumna Jawad

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds apples 8-9 medium, peeled, cored, and coarsely chopped
  • 2 cups apple cider
  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • teaspoon ground cloves
  • teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Instructions

For the Stove

  • In a large, deep pot, combine apples and apple cider. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat, then cover and simmer until the apples are soft, 25-30 minutes.
  • Transfer the apples to a blender and blend until mostly smooth.
  • Return the apple puree to the pot and add brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Bring to a simmer over low heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the apple butter has thickened to a jam-like texture and is the color of dark brown sugar, 75-90 minutes.
  • Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice. Let cool completely and then refrigerate in an airtight container.

For the Instant Pot

  • Place apples and apple cider in the instant pot. Close and seal the instant pot and set for 15 minutes on high pressure. After the 15 minutes are up, allow the instant pot to vent completely before opening.
  • Transfer the apples to a food blender and blend until smooth.
  • Return the apples to the instant pot insert and add brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Switch instant pot to the saute setting and bring apple mixture to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apple butter has reduced to a thick jam-texture and is the color of dark brown sugar, 75-90 minutes.
  • Remove the instant pot insert from the instant pot and stir in the lemon juice. Let cool completely and then refrigerate in an airtight container.

Notes

Yields 3 cups.

Nutrition

Calories: 33kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.003g | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 54mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 21IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 0.1mg