# Homemade Apple Butter Recipe

> Make dark, velvety apple butter with cinnamon and cloves in 3.5 hours.
- Title: Homemade Apple Butter Recipe · Bon Appétit | Shortify
- Summary: Make dark, velvety apple butter with cinnamon and cloves in 3.5 hours. Homemade apple butter uses unpeeled apples and cinnamon to create a thick, dark…
- Keywords: apple butter, granny smith, fuji, mcmontosh, honeycrisp, golden delicious, cinnamon, cloves, apple cider, sugar, baking pan, oven
- Source: Bon Appétit — https://bonappetit.com/recipe/apple-butter-recipe
- Author: Rick Martinez
- Published: 2016-09-12T08:00:42+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: apple butter, granny smith, fuji, mcmontosh, honeycrisp, golden delicious, cinnamon, cloves, apple cider, sugar, baking pan, oven
## What is apple butter?
Apple butter is cooked apples puréeed until dark and velvety.

> It’s that spreadable texture that gives apple butter its name, no actual butter involved.
## Best apples for apple butter
Use sweet and tart apples like Granny Smith and Fuji.

> For the best apple butter, use a mix of sweet and tart apples, such as Granny Smith, Fuji, McIntosh, Honeycrisp, or Golden Delicious.
## No need to peel or core apples
Apple skins add flavor and cores supply pectin for thickening.

> There’s no need to peel or core them either: The skins contribute flavor and the cores supply pectin, which helps the spread thicken.
## Cook apples until soft
Cook apples until soft, then purée with spices.

> Once the fruit is soft, a food mill quickly separates the purée from the peels, seeds, and whole spices.
## Bake to concentrate
Bake apple mixture until thick and dark amber.

> Transfer apple mixture to a 13x9" baking pan and bake, stirring every 30 minutes, until reduced by half and very thick and dark amber.
## Store for later
Store apple butter up to 3 months in airtight container.

> Apple butter can be made 1 month ahead; transfer to an airtight container and chill, or freeze up to 3 months.
## Key takeaway

Homemade apple butter uses unpeeled apples and cinnamon to create a thick, dark spreadable sauce.