If you’re looking for a cozy, comforting spread that captures the warm flavors of fall without the tedious peeling, you’ve just found it. This is truly The Best Apple Butter Recipe (No Peeling!) Recipe you’ll ever try — bursting with natural sweetness and spiced perfectly to make every spoonful unforgettable. Using soft, sweet apples and a handful of kitchen staples, this luscious apple butter is a breeze to make, and the no-peeling step means you save time while still capturing all the nutrients and vibrant color the skins add. Once you taste it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without this staple in your fridge!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind this recipe lies in how simple and carefully chosen the ingredients are. Each one plays an essential role, ensuring your apple butter has the ideal balance of sweetness, spice, and smoothness, plus a gorgeous color without any effort on peeling.
- 5.5 lbs soft, sweet apples: Core and chop into small pieces—no peeling required, which keeps prep quick and preserves fiber and color.
- 1 cup brown sugar (firmly packed): Adds deep caramel notes and richness that complement the apples’ natural sweetness.
- ¾ cup granulated sugar: Balances the brown sugar and helps with the right texture during slow cooking.
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon: Brings warmth and classic apple pie flavor to every bite.
- ¼ teaspoon salt: Enhances all the sweet and spice flavors, creating harmony in the final spread.
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves: Adds a touch of aromatic complexity without overpowering.
- 1 vanilla bean (or 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract): Infuses a smooth, fragrant finish that makes the apple butter irresistibly comforting.
How to Make The Best Apple Butter Recipe (No Peeling!) Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Apples
Start by slicing your soft, sweet apples into small pieces about ¼ inch thick, making sure to remove the cores. The best part? No peeling needed! This not only saves time but also leaves all those lovely nutrients and the skin’s natural color in your apple butter.
Step 2: Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker
Place the chopped apples into the basin of a large slow cooker. In a separate bowl, mix together your brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, salt, and ground cloves until evenly combined. Pour this fragrant sugar and spice mixture over the apples and stir until every piece is coated with sugary goodness.
Step 3: Slow Cook for Deep Flavor
Cover your slow cooker with the lid and set it on low heat. Let this simmer gently for about 10 hours — this slow cooking process is the secret to thickening the apples and concentrating all those autumn-inspired flavors.
Step 4: Puree Until Smooth
Once the cooking time is up, use an immersion blender to puree the mixture right in the slow cooker until perfectly smooth, with no trace of chunks. If you don’t have an immersion blender, transfer the mixture in batches to a regular blender and blend until silky smooth—just be careful with the hot fruit!
Step 5: Add Vanilla and Finish Cooking
Scrape the seeds from your vanilla bean directly into the smooth apple butter or stir in the vanilla extract if you’re using that instead. Then, leave the slow cooker uncovered and let it cook on low heat for an additional 2 hours, stirring occasionally. This step thickens the mixture to that ideal spreadable consistency.
Step 6: Cool and Store
After the final cooking stage, let your apple butter cool slightly before transferring it to airtight containers. This is the perfect opportunity to admire your perfectly spiced, richly colored homemade apple butter — ready to transform breakfasts and snacks!
How to Serve The Best Apple Butter Recipe (No Peeling!) Recipe
Garnishes
Serve a dollop of this apple butter with a sprinkle of extra cinnamon or a few chopped toasted nuts to add texture and an inviting aroma. A tiny swirl of honey on top can bring a lovely shine and an extra pop of sweetness if you like.
Side Dishes
This apple butter is spectacular spread on warm biscuits, toasted rustic bread, or mixed into creamy yogurt or oatmeal first thing in the morning. It also pairs wonderfully with sharp cheeses like cheddar or gouda for a savory-sweet twist at snack time or on your cheese board.
Creative Ways to Present
Think beyond toast—use this apple butter as a flavorful glaze over roasted carrots or pork, swirl it into cakes or muffin batters, or serve it with vanilla ice cream for a cozy dessert upgrade. The smooth texture and balanced spices make it incredibly versatile!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This apple butter stays delicious for up to two weeks when kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Make sure the container is sealed tightly to keep it fresh and prevent any unwanted fridge odors from sneaking in.
Freezing
If you’ve made a big batch, apple butter freezes beautifully. Spoon it into freezer-safe jars or bags, leaving some space for expansion. It can last up to six months in the freezer, making it an easy, ready-to-go ingredient whenever a sweet, spiced treat calls your name.
Reheating
When you’re ready to enjoy frozen apple butter, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Warm it gently in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until it reaches a soft, spreadable consistency. Reheating brings back that freshly made magic without any loss of flavor.
FAQs
Can I use any type of apple for this recipe?
You want to use soft, sweet apples for the best results because they break down easily during cooking, creating that rich, smooth texture essential for this apple butter recipe. Mixed varieties like Fuji, Gala, or McIntosh work beautifully.
Why do I not need to peel the apples?
Skipping the peeling step saves you loads of time and means you keep all the wonderful fiber and nutrients found in the skin. Plus, it adds a beautiful rustic color and extra depth of flavor to your apple butter.
What if I don’t have a slow cooker?
You can still make this recipe on your stovetop with a heavy-bottomed pot. Cook the apples on low heat, stirring often to prevent burning, and be prepared to adjust cooking times accordingly—as slow cookers provide very even, low heat.
Can I make this recipe without the vanilla bean?
Absolutely! If you don’t have a vanilla bean, substituting with 1½ teaspoons of vanilla extract works perfectly well and adds that warm, aromatic note to your apple butter.
How thick should the apple butter be when done?
The apple butter should be thick and spreadable, similar to a smooth jam. After the final cooking stage uncovered, it should hold its shape on a spoon but still be soft enough to spread easily over your favorite breads or desserts.
Final Thoughts
Making The Best Apple Butter Recipe (No Peeling!) Recipe is an absolute joy because it’s so simple and satisfying. You end up with a jar full of warm, spiced apple goodness that feels like a big cozy hug in every bite. Whether you’re treating yourself or sharing with loved ones, this recipe will become a staple you reach for again and again. So, grab your slow cooker and those sweet apples—your kitchen is about to smell amazing!
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The Best Apple Butter Recipe (No Peeling!) Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 hours
- Total Time: 12 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 3 cups (3 servings) 1x
- Category: Spread
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Best Apple Butter Recipe offers a rich and smooth homemade apple butter without the hassle of peeling apples. Utilizing a slow cooker, the recipe infuses soft, sweet apples with warm spices and vanilla, resulting in a perfectly spiced spread that’s ideal for toast, baking, or as a flavorful addition to many dishes.
Ingredients
Apples
- 5.5 lbs soft, sweet apples, cored and chopped into about ¼-inch pieces (no peeling needed)
Spices and Sugars
- 1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
Vanilla
- 1 vanilla bean (or substitute 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract)
Instructions
- Prepare Apples: Slice the apples into small ¼-inch pieces and remove the cores. Peeling is not necessary, keeping the recipe simple and convenient.
- Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Place the chopped apples in the basin of a large slow cooker.
- Mix Sugars and Spices: In a medium-sized bowl, thoroughly stir together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, salt, and cloves until evenly blended.
- Add Sugar Mixture to Apples: Pour the mixed sugars and spices over the apple pieces and stir to coat all pieces evenly.
- Slow Cook Apples: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low heat for 10 hours, allowing the apples to soften and the flavors to meld.
- Puree Apples: After 10 hours, use an immersion blender to puree the apple mixture until completely smooth with no chunks remaining. If an immersion blender is unavailable, transfer the mixture in batches to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
- Add Vanilla: Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean into the apple puree or stir in the vanilla extract for a fragrant finish.
- Cook to Thicken: Turn the slow cooker on low and cook the mixture uncovered for an additional 2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to thicken the apple butter.
- Store: Once cooked, transfer the apple butter to an airtight container and refrigerate. It will keep fresh for about 2 weeks.
Notes
- The type of apple used impacts the final flavor and sweetness; soft, sweet apples work best, such as Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp.
- If you don’t have an immersion blender, carefully blend the cooked apple mixture in batches using a regular blender or food processor, ensuring to let the mixture cool slightly to avoid spills.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator; it can also be frozen for longer storage.
