Homemade Applesauce or Apple Butter!

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Homemade Applesauce is so easy to make! And you can take it one step further an make it into yummy Apple Butter, too! Once I learned to easily bake apples, so many new recipes became possible with homemade ingredients.

This all started because I have been in such a mood for fall … the smells, the breezes, the chilly temps, the flavors.  The thought crossed my mind that I might have gone a bit overboard when I noticed I had accumulated two hundred pounds of pumpkins, dozens (and dozens) of apples, and a full 3 pounds of cranberries.

I found creative ways to use those pumpkins, luckily, so that left me with apples and cranberries.  I made a delicious apple-cranberry cake, and our annual apple dehydrating-fest is slated to begin this weekend, but that still left me with loads of apples that I felt must be put to another good use. Applesauce!  “Yes, that’s it,” I thought, “I’ll make applesauce.”

So, I peeled and cored 8 apples, got out my crockpot, and prepared for a day of slow apple cooking with an eye toward yummy applesauce.

apple cut

At some point later in the day though, I noticed I still had 3 jars of organic unsweetened applesauce in my pantry … but … I was out of apple butter!  Change in plans.

So I added some sugar and spices and cooked those apples all day long and into the night – voilà! Yummy apple butter with far less sugar than most recipes.

apples halved
Start with a mixture of fresh apples, peel, cook & mash. No magic there!

 

My next task will be to make more (we’re almost out already!), but try some sugar alternatives and see how that goes.  I’ll keep you posted, or let me know if you’ve tried already!

In the meantime though, enjoy this practically-does-it-by-itself, homemade apple butter recipe, and keep the taste of fall alive!

Click the photo below to watch my quick eHow video showing how easy this recipe is to make!

apple butter ehow

homemade apple butter ehow

Homemade Applesauce or Apple Butter

Yield: 4 cups
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 7-8 apples (I used a mixture of Fuji, Granny Smith & Gala) — approximately 4 – 5 lbs. (weight before coring) – (approximately 3 – 31/2 lbs. after coring and peeling)
  • 1/2 cup granulated cane sugar or 1/4 cup palm sugar (to taste) - omit for "natural" applesauce
  • 2 tsp. cinnamon (only for apple butter)
  • 1/8 tsp. cloves (only for apple butter)
  • 1/4 salt (optional)

Instructions

Wash, peel and core the apples.

Cut into quarters and place in a crockpot or large stockpot with 1/2 inch of water in the bottom.

Cook covered on low for several hours, testing with a fork until the apples begin to fall apart (stir periodically, especially if using a stockpot).

When they are able to be easily mashed with a fork or potato masher, break the large chunks apart and add sugar and spices, if using.  Depending on the apples you use, more or less sugar may be needed (more tart apples require more sugar for balance).

Continue to cook until there are no more large chunks of apple, then puree for applesauce or continue to cook a bit longer until the mixture has turned a rich, dark brown color, if making apple butter.  Use a whisk or hand blender to purée the apples until completely smooth.

Uncover the pot and continue to cook until the mixture has reduced to the consistency of apple butter.  Remove from heat or turn off the crockpot and allow to cool before canning or storing in sealed containers.

Enjoy with a delicious loaf of your favorite fresh, gluten-free bread!

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment (and maybe even a picture!) below or share a photo on Instagram! Be sure to tag me! @gfJules

I hope you love this recipe as much as we do!

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Homemade Applesauce or Apple Butter is so easy to make! A wonderful baking ingredient or treat on its own, made with less or no sugar at all.

 

 

 

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IN 2023 FOR THE 7TH TIME!

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    • I’ve kept it in covered jars in my fridge for a few months; I imagine it would freeze just fine in freezer bags. Mine never lasts long enough to need to freeze it! We’re an apple butter-loving family!!!

      Reply
  1. Jules, when you reposted this in 2011 you mentioned you used coconut palm sugar, which I have never tried. I’m wondering if you have ever written on your blog or in one of your books about how the various sugars differ and how you go about selecting which one to use for a particular recipe. If so, please direct me to where I can find that info.

    Reply
    • I’d love to know if there’s a recipe for pumpkin butter, too.

      Also, is sugar necessary for apple butter if you use a sweeter apple such as honey-crips or macintosh?

      Reply
      • Maggie – the beauty of recipes like this is that you can keep taste-testing and see if you think it needs any sugar at all! The sweeter the apple, the less sugar needed and I have made it without sugar before! I’ll work on that pumpkin butter recipe! ;)

        Reply
        • I make this with my girl scouts at camp :)
          Pumpkin Butter

          Ingredients:
          1 can of pumpkin (15 oz.)
          2/3 cup packed brown sugar
          ¼ cup honey
          1 tablespoon lemon juice
          ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
          1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

          Combine pumpkin, sugar, honey, lemon juice, cinnamon and cloves in medium, heavy-duty saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce heat to low. Cook, stirring frequently, for 20 to 25 minutes or until thickened. Serve with biscuits, breads and corn muffins. Store in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 2 months.

          Makes 2 cups

          Reply
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