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    October 15, 2022

    Stovetop Apple Butter Recipe

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    This stovetop apple butter recipe is simple, healthy (contains no added sugar except ½ Tbsp of molasses), and is full of warm cinnamon and apple flavors!

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

    Old Fashioned Apple Butter Recipe

    There are many ways to make apple butter from the stovetop to Instant Pot. I love this stovetop apple butter recipe because it's a classic and so easy to make!

    Simply slice your favorite apples and place into a sauce pan with a little water, a splash of apple cider vinegar, a tiny bit of molasses, and traditional apple butter spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

    Cook until the apples have softened, transfer to a blender or food processor and blend on high, then return to the sauce pan and cook until the mixture reaches your desired consistency!

    Boom. An old fashioned apple butter recipe!

    Stovetop 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

    The main difference between apple butter vs applesauce is the length of time they're cooked. Apple butter is cooked long enough to let the apples caramelize, giving it that deep brown color.

    Although applesauce can be sweetened and have spices added to it, I feel like traditional apple butter is a lot sweeter and has a strong spice flavor!

    Jar of stovetop 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.

    Ingredient Highlights

    • Apples - since I use very little added sugar, I recommend using sweeter apples like gala or honeycrisp to give this apple butter a little extra sweetness. Apples are naturally a good source of fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants!
    • Apple cider vinegar - this ingredient isn't absolutely necessary but adds a *slight* tangy flavor to the apple butter
    • Water - water is added to help cook the apples in the first step
    • Molasses - molasses is slightly sweet but also adds to the traditional apple butter flavor. It actually contains some iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium, and vitamin B6!
    • Spices - different spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and cardamom give this apple butter a warm, classic flavor! Plus a few extra antioxidants 🙂

    Stovetop Apple Butter Recipe FAQ

    How do you thicken apple butter on the stove?

    Simple: cook it longer! You want to be careful not to burn the apple butter, but it can cook for hours until the thickness is where you want it. Just be careful not to burn it! I recommend cooking on a low heat.

    How is apple butter different from applesauce?

    The biggest difference is the cooking time! Apple butter is cooked a lot longer than applesauce is, resulting in a deeper flavor and thicker consistency. It also can have more sugar and spices added to it.

    How do you know when apple butter is done?

    The color will turn to a deep brown and the consistency will thicken. Continue to cook as long as you want until it reaches your desired consistency! However, be careful not to burn it.

    Overhead shot of stovetop 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.

    Other Recipes You May Like

    • Pear (or apple) Crisp with Oats
    • Fresh Cranberry Sauce Recipe (low sugar!)
    • Greek Yogurt Pumpkin Dip
    • Creamy Date Caramel Dip
    Stovetop 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.

    Rate & Review

    If you made my stovetop apple butter recipe, please rate and review my recipe below! I would love to hear your feedback. Also snap a photo and tag me on insta @theperfectpearr so I can see your creation!

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    Stovetop Apple Butter Recipe

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    5 from 1 reviews

    This stovetop apple butter recipe is simple, healthy (contains no added sugar except ½ Tbsp of molasses), and is full of warm cinnamon and apple flavors!

    • Author: Lauren
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Cook Time: 3 hours
    • Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
    • Yield: 3 ½ cups 1x
    • Category: Spreads, Sauces
    • Method: Stovetop
    • Cuisine: American

    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 6 large apples (I recommend gala, fuji, or honeycrisp!)
    • 2 Tbsp water
    • 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
    • ½ Tbsp molasses
    • ½ Tbsp ground cinnamon
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract
    • ½ tsp ground nutmeg
    • ½ tsp ground cloves
    • ½ tsp ground cardamom
    • ¼ tsp salt

    Instructions

    1. Slice apples and core apples, and place into a large saucepan on the stove.
    2. Add water, vinegar, molasses, vanilla, spices, and salt and cook on medium heat until apples soften, ~1 hour.
    3. Transfer apple mixture into the blender and blend on high until desired texture is reached.
    4. Pour apple mixture back into saucepan and cook on low heat until desired consistency is reached, ~1-2 hours.
    5. Let cool and enjoy!

    Notes

    • Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
    • You can use any apple but I prefer sweeter kinds like gala or honeycrisp!

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 2 Tbsp
    • Calories: 22
    • Sugar: 4
    • Sodium: 21
    • Fat: 0
    • Saturated Fat: 0
    • Unsaturated Fat: 0
    • Trans Fat: 0
    • Carbohydrates: 6
    • Fiber: 1
    • Protein: 0
    • Cholesterol: 0

    Keywords: stovetop apple butter recipe, apple butter recipe, how to make apple butter, how to make apple butter on the stove, easy apple butter recipe, healthy apple butter recipe, low sugar apple butter, fall recipes, apple recipes

    Did you make this recipe?

    Please comment below & let me know what you thought. I'd also love if you shared a photo on Instagram and tagged me @theperfectpearr so I can see! And don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Perfect Pear newsletter to get new recipes delivered straight to your inbox!

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    1. Jerry says

      February 18, 2023 at 5:45 pm

      Full of cinnamon and apple flavor. I love that it's lower in sugar than most apple butters!






      Reply
      • Lauren says

        February 19, 2023 at 6:27 pm

        Absolutely! It's delicious and perfect for fall, or any time of year really!

        Reply

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    Hi! I'm Lauren. As a dietitian, my goal is to provide you with nutrient-dense recipes that taste good with a sprinkle of indulgent recipes because I'm all about balance.

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