Small Batch Apple Butter

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Small batch apple butter is the perfect way to kick off (or feel like you're in) the fall season. Warm spices and sweet apples cook down to make a delicious and healthy apple butter.

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Jar of small batch apple butter with an apple on plates in the background and a knife with apple butter on it in the front.

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Why You'll Love This Small Batch Apple Butter Recipe
Apple Butter vs. Applesauce
Equipment
Ingredients
How to Make Small Batch Apple Butter
Pro Tips
Variations & Substitutions
Storing & Serving
Stovetop Apple Butter Recipe FAQ
Other Recipes You May Like
Small Batch Apple Butter Recipe

Why You'll Love This Small Batch Apple Butter Recipe

This apple butter is so similar to any traditional apple butter recipe but has less sugar (there's zero added sugar in this recipe, unless you add some for extra sweetness). Plus, one of my favorite things about any small batch recipe, is it doesn't make too much! It's the perfect recipe to make during apple season when apples are at their best.

I love spreading this healthy apple butter onto whole grain crackers or toast, using as a spread on a turkey sandwich, as part of a holiday charcuterie board, or in other savory dishes like pork tenderloin.

Small batch apple butter spread on a piece of whole grain bread with a knife to the left and cinnamon sticks to the right. A jar of apple butter in the top left corner.

Apple Butter vs. Applesauce

There isn't a huge difference between applesauce and apple butter. The main difference is apple butter is basically applesauce, but cooked down until it's caramelized and more of a spread. Sometimes apple butter can be more "spiced" than applesauce, too. It usually has a sweeter flavor than applesauce because the apples are cooked down, releasing a lot of the natural sugars.

Jar of small batch apple butter with the lid and knife in the front and a pinecone, dried flowers, and an apple and cinnamon sticks on plates in the background.

Equipment

Cutting board - a sturdy cutting board is ideal for slicing and chopping the fresh apples.
Chef's knife - a sharp chef's knife works wonderfully to cut the apples! Be careful when using it as it's easy to cut yourself. Sharp knives are generally more safe than dull!
Large saucepan - the mixture may fill up the pan quite full, but it will shrink down as it cooks and even moreso after it's been blended!
Rubber spatula - a rubber spatula is an easy tool to use to stir the apple mixture as well as scrape it out of the food processor back into the saucepan. Just be sure to use a heat-safe one as the apple mixture and pan get hot!
Food processor - this will give the homemade apple butter a smooth texture. You can use an immersion blender (or hand blender) or regular blender if you have either!

Ingredients

Full ingredients, measurements, and instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Apples - you can use any type of apple you like or even a combination of apples. In my opinion, the best apples to use are honeycrisp, fuji, or gala because they're a little bit sweeter than other varieties. If you use tart apples like granny smith apples, I would add a couple Tablespoons of sweetener, like brown sugar, white sugar, honey, or pure maple syrup!
Apple cider vinegar - the acidity of the vinegar balances out the sweetness from the apples. You can use fresh lemon juice instead!
Molasses - molasses is a classic ingredient of the fall season, commonly found in baked goods like oatmeal cookies and gingerbread.
Pure vanilla extract - vanilla extract rounds out the rich flavor of this small batch apple butter recipe!
Spices - warm spices like ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and cardamom give this apple butter a rich flavor. Plus the way your house smells after making it is amazing!

How to Make Small Batch Apple Butter

sliced apples, spices, apple cider vinegar, water, and molasses in a sauce pan.

1: Slice and core apples. Add to a large saucepan along with the rest of the ingredients.

cooked cinnamon apples to make small batch apple butter in a large saucepan.

2: Stir and cook on medium-low heat until apples soften, ~20-30 minutes.

homemade apple butter blended in a blender.

3: Place the apple mixture into a blender or food processor, and blend for 60-90 seconds, or until the desired consistency is reached. Blend for less time if you like it chunkier or longer if you like smoother apple butter!

freshly blended apple butter in a large saucepan.

4: Transfer the mixture back to the original saucepan.

homemade small batch apple butter in a large saucepan.

5: Cook on low for 45-60 minutes, or until thickened (it will continue to thicken as it cools too!). Let cool and serve!

Pro Tips

If you like a chunkier apple butter, you can skip the step of blending it! An immersion blender, food processor, or regular blender will do the trick to make it smoother.
This healthy apple butter recipe can easily be doubled or tripled if you have lots of apples on hand and want to use them up!
Let the apple butter come to room temperature before putting it in the refrigerator or freezer (just for food safety!). It will thicken as it cools.

Variations & Substitutions

You can use any variety of apple you prefer. For the best flavor, I recommend using sweeter apples for a natural sweetness!
If you don't like fruit skin, you can peel the apples before chopping and cooking.
For a sweeter apple butter, you can add brown sugar, white sugar, honey, or pure maple syrup. I would start with 2 Tablespoons and increase by a Tablespoon until the desired sweetness is reached!
If you don't have (or like) apple cider vinegar, you can replace it with fresh lemon juice! The acidity of the vinegar/juice helps to balance out the sweetness from the apples.
You could use a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice in place of ground nutmeg, cloves, and cardamom!
I haven't tried making this in the crockpot or Instant Pot, but if you give it a try, let me know in the comments below!

Overhead shot of small batch apple butter with a knife with apple butter on it in the bottom right and the jar lid and apple with cinnamon sticks in the top.

Storing & Serving

Store this apple butter in an airtight container like a mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or freezer for up to 2 months. I recommend letting it cool completely before storing it!
I love serving this small batch apple butter as the perfect topping on whole grain crackers or English muffins, Greek yogurt, ice cream, mixed into oatmeal, on top of a pork roast or tenderloin, or on a festive charcuterie board! It's a great holiday recipe but can be made any time of year.

Small batch apple butter spread onto a piece of whole grain toast with a jar of apple butter in the background, along with a pinecone and dried flowers.

Stovetop Apple Butter Recipe FAQ

How long is apple butter good for?

I recommending storing homemade apple butter in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 1 week or freezer for up to 2 months!

Does homemade apple butter thicken as it cools?

Yes! It naturally thickens as it cools to give it that classic apple butter texture.

What type of apples are best for apple butter?

In my opinion, the best kind of apple to make apple butter with are sweet apples: gala, honeycrisp, or fuji apples are my favorite!

How do I know when apple butter is thick enough?

The apple butter texture should resemble thick applesauce in the pan and hold it's shape pretty well. Keep in mind it thickens as it cools, so it'll be even thicker than when you first turn off the heat!