Rich, velvety and with all the comforting flavors of autumn, this homemade Stovetop Apple Butter is easy to make with a few simple ingredients including fresh apples and warm spices!

Apple butter with a spoon in a glass jar.

Naturally sweet apples complimented by warm cinnamon and allspice, this stovetop apple butter recipe is everything that is great about the fall season in one homemade condiment!

With only a few simple ingredients and easy instructions, making homemade apple butter may seem like something best left to the pros but I assure you it is so easy and mostly hands off. It’s very similar to making applesauce but is thicker, smoother and a bit more spiced.

The process of making it will fill your home with the best warm, inviting aroma, it’s one of my favorite cooking projects during apple season. After, spread it on toast, use it to make easy applesauce bread or add it to savory dishes like roasted turkey. This fall treat will be a new favorite!

Why You Will Love This Easy Recipe

Easy to make: This apple butter stovetop recipe is simple to make from scratch with only 20 minutes prep time, then it is mostly hands-off time while it simmers into a thick buttery sauce.
Flavorful: Sweet fresh apples are richly flavored with warm spices and a touch of sugar creating the perfect sweet preserve! Plus, it smells so heavenly cooking on the stovetop!
The best texture: With a smooth and velvety texture, this traditional apple butter recipe has a thick consistency perfect for spreading, dipping or using for baked goods.
Perfect for gifting: Make a large batch of this delicious homemade apple butter recipe and give it as a gift at the holidays! It’s so much better than store-bought and everyone will love it!

Apple Butter Ingredients

Apples: For this small batch stovetop apple butter, you will need only 4 medium sized apples.
Water: A bit of water helps thin the butter to desired consistency and prevent burning.
Lemon juice: Lemon juice brightens and enhances the apple flavor.
Sugar: I used white sugar when cooking the apples down and a teaspoon of brown sugar at the end for a bit sweeter taste. Light brown sugar or dark brown sugar can be used.
Warm spices: Ground cinnamon and allspice add the best flavor and spiced taste!

The Best Apples to Use

Choosing the right apple variety will impact the final flavor, texture and sweet flavor of this easy stovetop apple butter.

I like to use softer varieties such as Fuji, Golden Delicious, McIntosh, or Jonagold since they cook down faster. If you like a hint of tartness, add a few tart apples like Granny Smith!

Whether you pick up apples from the local apple orchard or purchase them store-bought, the most important thing is to use apples you like to eat!

How to Make Stovetop Apple Butter

To start this easy apple butter recipe, wash, peel, core and remove the seeds from the apples. Chop into medium pieces. In a large pot add the apples, the water, lemon juice and sugar, cover and simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally until softened.

Use an immersion blender to blend until the butter reaches the desired smoothness.

Blending the ingredients in the blender.

Pour the mixture back into the pot, add the spices, place the pot on very low heat and simmer uncovered, stirring often making sure it doesn’t burn.

The mixture in the pot with the spices and sugar.

Once the butter reaches a deep brown color, remove from the heat and adjust sweetness as necessary. Remove to a glass jar or container and refrigerate.

The apple butter cooked in the pot with a spoon.

Expert Tips

Smooth apple butter: I love to use an immersion blender and blend the apples to a smooth consistency right in the pot. You can also use a regular blender or food mill after the apple butter has cooled slightly.
Chunky consistency: Skip any blending and cook the apples down further. You can use a potato masher to mash them to desired consistency.
Thicker or thinner: For thicker, continue to cook it down for a thinner consistency add additional water, apple cider or apple juice as necessary.
To peel or not to peel: It really is a personal preference! Not peeling your apples saves both time and effort. You may like to peel the apples if you do not care for the speckled appearance the skin leaves in the butter.
More apple flavor: If you love an intense apple flavor, continue cooking and stirring the butter after blending it until it reaches your desired taste!
Stir to prevent burning: While the apple butter stovetop cooks down, stir it occasionally to prevent the apples bits from burning to the bottom of the pan.

Substitutions and Variations

Apple cider: Instead of water use apple cider. Apple cider is the pure unfiltered juice of fresh apples. You can use apple juice but not apple cider vinegar!
Warm spices: Along with cinnamon and allspice, ground cloves, nutmeg, vanilla bean or even apple pie spice can be used with or in place of the called for spices.
Molasses: This will add some depth of flavor to the sauce. A little bit goes a long way so only use a small amount and I would use regular molasses not blackstrap.
Vanilla extract: Just a splash of vanilla extract can add a rich layer of flavor that makes it oh so delicious!
Natural sweeteners: If you would like to use maple syrup instead of sugar substitute on a 1:1 basis.
A pinch of salt: Just a pinch of kosher salt can enhance all the flavors in this easy apple butter stovetop recipe!

Apple butter in a glass jar with a spoon.

How do I store Apple Butter?

Store apple butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for several weeks. You can also freeze it in freezer safe containers for up to a year. Defrost in the refrigerator.

Receip FAQs

Can I make this in my crockpot?

Yes! While this is an easy stovetop recipe, you can make it in your slow cooker. Place all ingredients in the crockpot and cook on high for a few hours until soft. Proceed with pureeing just like with the stovetop recipe.

Can I make canned apple butter?

Yes, although there are a few more steps. Sterilize the canning jars, boil lids until soft and fill jars with the warm apple butter. Place lids on the top, screw on the lids and then submerge in the water bath canner for about 10 minutes. As it cools, you will hear the jars pop and seal. If this seems too much work, just freeze it instead!

Why is it called apple butter?

Although there is no actual butter used in the recipe, it gets the name from the velvety, buttery texture!

What is the difference between homemade apple butter and homemade applesauce?

While both are made from cooked pureed apples, apple butter is thicker and contains more added sugar than apple sauce. This is what makes it best to use a spread compared to applesauce which is great to eat on its own in a bowl.

I hope you enjoy the sweet and savory taste of stovetop apple butter whether you spread it on warm toast, swirled into oatmeal, or used as a versatile ingredient in both sweet and savory dishes, apple butter offers a burst of comforting flavors that everyone will enjoy!