Apple Butter from Applesauce

Cooking apple butter completely from scratch is normally an 11-hour time commitment. A family I know, who lives on an apple orchard, turns the project into an all-day party just to help pass the time. Most of the process involves breaking down the apples slowly until they reach an applesauce consistency. After that, the applesauce is caramelized into apple butter, which happens pretty quickly in the grand scheme of things.

If you don’t have the time to make apple butter from scratch, shorten the time to just 30 minutes by learning how to make apple butter from applesauce. Even with such a significant shortcut, the apple butter turns out just as thick, caramelized and warmly spiced as an all-day recipe. Spread it on buttered toast with a sprinkle of flaky salt or spoon it into apple butter thumbprint cookies.

Ingredients for Apple Butter from Applesauce

• Applesauce: It’s really important to buy the plainest apple sauce possible: unsweetened and unspiced. We’ll add our own amount of fall spices and sugar. You can buy chunky applesauce if you prefer chunky apple butter.
• Sugar: We’ll sweeten the applesauce with granulated sugar. Use brown sugar for a deeper, caramelly flavor. Measure 1/4 cup sugar for a lightly sweetened apple butter or 1/2 cup sugar for a regularly sweetened apple butter.
• Spices: A myriad of fall spices—cinnamon, allspice, ginger and cloves—make the apple butter taste warm and autumnal. Feel free to play around with the measurements and include other baking spices to make this apple butter recipe completely yours.

Directions

Step 1: Mix all the ingredients

In a small saucepan, stir together all the ingredients: the applesauce, sugar, cinnamon, allspice, ginger and cloves.

Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.

Step 2: Cook the applesauce into apple butter

Reduce the heat to low, and simmer the mixture, uncovered, for 30 to 35 minutes, stirring every three to four minutes. The apple butter should be dark and thickened.

Editor’s Tip: Be sure to stay on top of stirring to prevent burning and ensure the apple butter caramelizes evenly.

Step 3: Cool and store

Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the apple butter to cool completely to room temperature. Use as desired and enjoy!

How to Use Apple Butter from Applesauce

• Pies: Apple butter pie has the texture of pumpkin pie but trades pumpkin puree for apple butter.
• Tarts: Just before arranging apple slices over a pie or galette dough for an apple tart, spread a bit of apple butter on the bottom to heighten the apple flavor.
• Breads: Smear apple butter on toast, warm biscuits, cinnamon scones or cinnamon raisin bagels. We love to bake apple butter in our caramel apple focaccia too!
• Breakfasts: Hosting brunch? Set out apple butter for guests to spread on waffles or pancakes, or stir it into yogurt or oatmeal. You can also make the TikTok-famous apple pie cinnamon rolls, which infuse apple butter into the filling.
• Sandwiches: Apple butter is just sweet enough to complement fall sandwiches like grilled cheese, ham and Swiss sliders, or turkey and cheddar paninis. You could also use it as a grape jelly replacement in a PB&J.
• Charcuterie boards: Taking place of the jam component, apple butter is an excellent addition to a charcuterie board as it pairs with most meats, cheeses, nuts and fall fruits. Place it on a skeleton charcuterie board come Halloween or the quintessential Thanksgiving charcuterie board (aka the best Thanksgiving appetizer!).

How to Store Apple Butter from Applesauce

Once the apple butter has cooled to room temperature, store it in an airtight container, leaving about 1/2-inch of headspace. It can be kept in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Can you freeze apple butter?

Yes, you can freeze apple butter. Once it has cooled to room temperature, transfer it to airtight containers, leaving about a 1/2-inch of headspace so there’s room for expansion. (Please, no exploding apple butter containers!) Freeze the apple butter for up to three months and thaw it overnight in the fridge whenever you’re ready to enjoy it again.

Apple Butter from Applesauce Tips

Can you blend the apple butter to make it smoother?

Yes, you can blend homemade apple butter to make it smoother. Once it’s done cooking, allow it to cool at room temperature, then blend the apple butter with an immersion blender, food processor or blender until you’ve reached the desired consistency. This is totally optional, as some people prefer a smoother apple butter, especially if using it in a baking recipe.

Can you make apple butter from applesauce in a slow cooker instead?

Yes, you can make apple butter from applesauce in a slow cooker instead of in a saucepan on the stovetop. However, this process takes a bit more time. Place everything in a slow cooker on high and keep the lid ajar to allow steam to escape. Stir every 20 to 30 minutes until the applesauce turns into apple butter.

Why is my apple butter super sweet?

Your apple butter may be super sweet if you used sweetened applesauce instead of unsweetened. If you accidentally purchased sweetened applesauce, omit the sugar from this recipe to avoid over-sweetening the apple butter.