Homemade Apple Butter (Step by Step)

Sharing is caring!

Last Updated on July 16, 2026 by Kiersten James

Bring in extra apples and cozy vibes with this easy and delicious homemade apple butter recipe.

As soon as cold weather starts peeking its head around summer’s corner, my excitement begins to grow for all things fall and cozy.

Here in our part of New York, we are fortunate to have many apple orchards local to us.

Accessibility plus tons of kid-friendly attractions make it very easy to accidentally come home on a random Sunday with many pounds of apples during apple season. 

If you’ve found yourself in a similar situation and are baking your way through apple season, here are a few reader favorites:

• How to Make Applesauce with Fresh Apples
• Homemade Apple Fritter Bread
• Apple Cinnamon Crumb Muffins
• Cozy Apple Cake with Caramel Glaze
• Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake (9×13)

What is Apple Butter?

Apple butter is a delicious spreadable condiment exploding with seasonal spices and cozy apple flavors.

I would consider it to be a cross between butter and jam – although it’s actually neither. And it doesn’t contain dairy, so it’s vegan-friendly.

You’ll likely not find it in your local grocery store unless you live near an Amish or Mennonite community.

You may have luck at farmers’ markets and artisan country stores, but some price tags can stretch upwards of $25 for ONE 8-oz jar. For $25, I could buy 6 pounds of apples and make many jars of my own.

When it’s time to stock up, I’ll make one big batch, then water bath can a few jars for the pantry. (I’ll give you those instructions for canning in case you want to preserve a few extra jars.)

The most popular ways we use apple butter:

• Swirled into oatmeal or yogurt
• Spread on toast or homemade English muffins
• Spooned onto pancakes or waffles
• Served alongside big breakfast muffins, like our favorite morning glory muffins

Apple butter also makes a GREAT gift for moms, friends, neighbors, Church communities, teachers, and anyone who deserves a little extra acknowledgment. 

What Kind of Apples Work Best?

The best apples to use are the varieties of apples that your family enjoys the most! Tart apples like Granny Smith will require more sugar for balance.

Sweet apples like Roma, Honeycrisp, or McIntosh will require less added sugar. 

Sourcing locally is always better than buying at big chain stores. Don’t worry about the name or type of apple; use whatever you have on hand.

In Pennsylvania Dutch, apple butter is called lottwaerrick.

Once upon a time, there was a custom brought to America from the Palatinate area of Germany, where parties were held to cook various types of fruit over open fires for hours upon hours.

With apples being the main event, many bushels of apples would be cut and turned into “schnitz” (apple slices) by members of the community.

The butter-boiling would then take place over an entire day, or several days, depending on how many fruits were being made into butter. 

Apple butter-boiling parties were highlights of the season, where young couples would each take turns to stir the apple butter.

While ‘schnitzing parties’ are not the rage anymore, the practice of making seasonal apple butter prevails in many rural kitchens today.

How to Make Homemade Apple Butter

Ingredients:

• 12 (or around 5lbs) of sweet apples (peeled, cored, and chopped)
• 1 cup raw, unfiltered apple cider (NOT apple cider vinegar!)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground clove
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

There are many different ways to make apple butter, ranging from stove top to crock pot and traditional oven preparation. I will give you instructions for all three so that you can decide what works best for you. 

Stove Top Preparation:

Place all of the ingredients into a large pot and cook over medium heat, uncovered, until the apples begin to fall apart. This usually takes around 60-90 minutes. 

Blend the apples with a hand immersion blender until smooth, and continue to cook on medium heat for another hour until the mixture thickens and the color deepens to a dark amber.

Remove from heat and transfer to jars for storage. For long-term storage, follow the water bath canning steps below.

Crockpot Preparation:

Add all ingredients into a crockpot, toss to coat the apples with the spices. Cook on low heat for 7 or 8 hours until the apples have fallen apart. 

Blend with a hand immersion blender until smooth. Cook on low heat until the mixture begins to thicken and deepen in color. This can take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours.

Remove from the heat and transfer to jars for storage. For long-term storage, follow the water bath canning steps below.

Oven Preparation (traditional method):

Add apples and cider into a large pot and cook over medium heat until the apples begin to soften, about an hour. Preheat oven to 325°F. 

Transfer apples to a roasting pan, add sugar and spices.

Cook 3 to 4 hours until it thickens and deepens in color. Stir every so often to encourage thickening.

Remove from the oven and transfer to jars for storage. For long-term storage, follow the water bath canning steps below.

Make It With Homemade Applesauce:

This can be made using one gallon of homemade applesauce and a quart of unfiltered apple cider.

If you are taking this approach, transfer the apple sauce, cider, and spices directly into the roasting pan. Bake at 325°F for 5 to 6 hours, stirring every 45 minutes or so to encourage thickening.

Remove from the oven when the thickness and color are to your liking. Transfer to jars for canning. 

Storing Fresh Amish Apple Butter

Apple butter that is fresh and has not been canned should be kept in the refrigerator in an airtight container, as it is perishable. It generally lasts for around 3 weeks.

Water Bath Canning Instructions for Apple Butter

Apple butter can be canned and stored in the pantry for up to 1 year without a problem. The water bath canning method is used for preservation and only takes about 15 minutes. 

Supplies You May Need:

• Canning Tongs
• 4oz canning jars for holiday gifts
• Wide mouth canning funnel

Start with some 4oz glass jars and lids that have been sterilized. To do this, I draw up a large pot of boiling water (you can use the same pot for canning), boil the jars and lids, then leave them in the water at a simmer until I’m ready to use them.

Using a gravy ladle or canning funnel, transfer the apple butter into your jars. Wipe the rim of the jars clean with a bit of vinegar and apply the lids finger-tight. 

Submerge the jars in boiling water (rolling boil) for 10 to 15 minutes until you hear the “pop” indicating the lids have sealed. Carefully remove the jars with tongs and let them cool on trivets before touching them with your hands.

Remove the rings and gently pick up each jar by the lid to ensure a tight and proper seal. Label with the date made, and expiration date (1 year later).

These little jars make wonderful gifts for family, friends, and any dear members of the community.

Sharing is caring!