Rich • Spiced • Velvety Smooth

⭐ Ingredients

4 lbs apples (about 8–10 medium; use a mix like Fuji, Gala, Honeycrisp)
1 cup apple cider (or apple juice)

1 cup brown sugar (adjust to taste)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg

¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon allspice
½ teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Optional: zest of 1 lemon

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prep the Apples

Peel, core, and slice the apples.

Add them to a slow cooker.

2. Add Spices & Sweetener

Sprinkle over:

Brown sugar

Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Cloves

Allspice
Salt

Pour in the apple cider and stir to coat the apples well.

3. Slow Cook

Cook on LOW for 8–10 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours, until apples are extremely soft and darkened.

4. Blend Smooth

Use an immersion blender (or carefully transfer to a regular blender) and blend until completely silky.

5. Reduce & Thicken

Return the purée to the slow cooker.
Cook uncovered on LOW for 1–2 hours more, stirring occasionally, until thick, glossy, and deep brown.

6. Finish

Stir in:

Vanilla extract
Optional lemon zest

Taste and adjust sweetness or spices if needed.

🍏 How to Store

Refrigerate: up to 2 weeks
Freeze: up to 6 months

Water-bath canning: 10 minutes for shelf-stable jars

🍂 Ways to Use Apple Butter

Spread on toast or biscuits
Swirl into oatmeal or yogurt

Use in muffins or cakes for moisture
Add to pork dishes
Stir into pancake or waffle batter

Serve on a holiday cheese board

🍎 Chef John–Style Apple Butter

Author: WAFA LI

Print Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 lbs (1.8 kg) apples (a mix of sweet & tart like Fuji, Granny Smith, or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and chopped
• 1 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 cup apple cider or water
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• ¼ tsp allspice
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine chopped apples, sugars, apple cider, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and salt.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 2–3 hours, stirring occasionally, until apples break down and mixture thickens, darkens, and coats the back of a spoon.
Use an immersion blender to puree until silky smooth (or transfer in batches to a blender).

Stir in vanilla extract. Taste and adjust sweetness or spice if needed.
Continue simmering 15–30 minutes more if a thicker consistency is desired.
Let cool slightly. Store in clean jars and refrigerate up to 3 weeks—or can using proper canning methods for shelf storage.

✨ Perfect for:
• Spreading on toast, biscuits, or pancakes
• Swirling into oatmeal or yogurt
• Gifting in pretty jars with a ribbon

💡 Slow cooker option: Cook on LOW 8–10 hours, stirring once or twice.

PREP TIME & NUTRITION :
Prep Time : 20 mins , Cook Time : 2 hrs 30 mins , Total Time : 2 hrs 50 mins , Servings : 12 (¼-cup servings) , Calories : 90 per serving , Net Carbs: 24g , Fats: 0g , Protein: 0g