What Is Apple Butter? (2024)

FAQs

What Is Apple Butter? ›

Apple butter is essentially concentrated applesauce.

What Is Apple Butter? Apple butter is a spreadable preserve made by slow-cooking apples with warming spices such as cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and allspice. The apples are cooked for a long time over low heat, caramelizing them, concentrating their flavor and turning them into a spreadable consistency.

Add the sugars and spices to the apple puree and simmer on low to medium-low heat until the desired consistency, 45-60 minutes. Stir frequently to avoid sticking or burning. The apple butter is done when thick enough to hold its shape on the back of a spoon.

But it makes all the difference. Applesauce is a fairly quick process, cooked apples run through a food mill. Apple butter is basically concentrated apple sauce, cooked down even more until it's thicker, silkier, and more intensely apple flavored. Like the difference between tomato sauce and tomato paste, essentially.

Apple butter is essentially concentrated applesauce.

It's usually flavored with the usual suspects—think cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, nutmeg or a handful of other “warming spices"—and the cooking process is similar.

Average shelf life unopened is 11 months. But after you open a jar, it is very important it is re-capped and refrigerated. It will last about a month in the refrigerator, but we usually finish out a jar in a couple of days. The same goes for any baked goods or cooked items made with apple butter.

While apple butter is undeniably delicious, it also offers some health benefits. Made from fresh, organic apples, it contains essential nutrients like dietary fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. These components contribute to a healthy digestive system, support immune function, and promote overall well-being.

Stir the apple butter into your morning oatmeal, spread it on whole grain toast, or add it as a glaze to meat! This recipe brought to you by Splenda®, a proud supporter of the American Diabetes Association® and Diabetes Food Hub®.

During the slow cooking, the sugars that are naturally present in the apples caramelize into a deep, molasses-like flavor, and a dark color. This gives the apple butter its rich, sweet flavor and dark brown hue.

Why does my canned apple butter have air bubbles? ›

Apple butter is notorious for air bubbles, since it is so thick they don't rise to the surface as they would in a product that had liquid in it. The jars should be fine as long as it was processed properly and all the lids are sealed.

Fresh apple butter will keep in the fridge for at least couple of weeks, if not longer. Sealed, water-bathed canned jars of apple butter will keep for years in the pantry (they're best used within a year, though). Once opened, they'll also keep for weeks in the refrigerator.

Mix up a few different varieties for the best flavor; Fuji and Golden Delicious are popular softer varietals for apple butter that taste great together. Braeburn, Corland and Idared are great choices too.

Consider trying alternatives like pear butter, peach butter, or even pumpkin butter during the fall season. These alternatives will allow you to enjoy the flavors you love even when apples are not at their best.

But when it comes down to it, both applesauce and apple butter can often be exchanged in baking recipes — especially when used as a replacement for some of the butter, oil, or eggs. Try this in our No Butter Choco-Chip Cookies or Yummy Applesauce Bread.

Butter & Oil:

Substitute applesauce in equal quantities of butter and oil. For example, if the recipe requires ½ cup of oil, replace it with ½ cup of applesauce. Similarly, if the recipe calls for 1 cup of butter, use 1 cup of applesauce.

While apple butter does contain some sugar, it is a healthier alternative to peanut butter, so long as you stick to the serving size. Apples not only help keep the doctor away, but also provide a lot of fiber that aids in digestion as well as vitamins B and C.

Clove Substitute: Nutmeg

This warm spice is both nutty and sweet. Ground nutmeg can be used in place of ground cloves by itself or in combination with some of the spices below. Keep in mind that it's super strong, so a little goes a long way.