The Best Apple Butter Recipe & 6 Sweet Ways to Use It

Just went apple picking? This apple butter recipe turns out perfect every time. Learn the easy method, then check out 6 ways to use it.

Fall is almost at its peak, with leaves changing and temperatures that will soon begin to drop. Nothing makes me more excited for the season than the flavors of fall desserts with cinnamon, apple, and pumpkin. Our homemade apple butter is a great way to use fresh-picked apples, and I like to use an apple peeler to cut down on prep time. Once you make a batch, try these recipes that use it as an ingredient!

Start Here: How to Make Apple Butter

To make homemade apple butter, combine 6½ pounds of peeled, cored, sliced apples with brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla.  Cook everything low and slow in the slow cooker until the apples are very soft, dark, and thick. In the slow cooker, about 10–12 hours. Use an immersion blender to make the apple butter as smooth as you like.

You can also make it much faster in the Instant Pot by pressure cooking for 15 minutes, naturally releasing for 20 minutes, blending, and then simmering on sauté until thick.

How long does apple butter last in the fridge?

Store apple butter in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks. Freezer for up to 1 year.

Apple Butter Desserts

Homemade Apple Butter

Our homemade apple butter is the star of the show! It’s smooth, full of cinnamon and apple flavor, and easy to make in the slow cooker. Plus, your home will be filled with its incredible aroma all day long!

Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls

These apple butter cinnamon rolls are perfect for the season! Don’t forget our cinnamon roll tips and tricks for the best tasting rolls!

Apple Butter Cupcakes

These cupcakes have apple cider in the batter and are topped with apple butter buttercream frosting. They are the ultimate fall treats that take under an hour to prep and bake.

Apple Butter Cake

Baked on a sheet pan and topped with apple cider glaze, this unique fall dessert is a hit! It’s moist and full of flavor from the apple butter in the batter.

Apple Butter Muffins

Bakery-style muffins with a ribbon of apple butter in the middle, crumble topping, and apple cider glaze. They come together easily and only need to bake for 20 minutes!

Apple Butter Pie Tarts

Apple Butter Pie

Apple butter pie is a fun alternative to traditional pumpkin pie. The filling has apple butter, milk, eggs, sugar, and warm fall spices that everyone loves.