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This oven apple butter recipe has been on my site for years, and it originally came about after a reader asked me to share how I made it. It starts with homemade chunky applesauce, then cooks slowly in the oven with sugar and warm spices until it’s thick and full of apple flavor.
I especially like making apple butter in the oven because you don’t have to stand over the stove watching it the whole time. It takes a few hours to cook, but most of that time is hands-off other than giving it an occasional stir.
This version also has little pieces of apple left in it rather than being completely smooth. It’s almost like a cross between traditional apple butter and apple jam, and it’s delicious spread on toast, biscuits, or homemade bread.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Mostly hands-off: Once everything is mixed together, the oven does most of the work.
- Full of fall flavor: Apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar make this a perfect recipe for apple season.
- Easy to make chunky or smooth: Leave some apple pieces for texture or mash the apples more thoroughly if you prefer.
Ingredients
Find the full list of ingredients, amounts, and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Applesauce – This recipe starts with homemade chunky applesauce. You’ll need about 2 quarts.
- Sugar – Sweetens the apples and helps give the apple butter its rich flavor.
- Brown sugar – Adds a deeper caramel-like sweetness. You can also use organic cane sugar.
- Cinnamon – One of the main spices in this recipe. Ceylon cinnamon is a great option.
- Nutmeg and lemon juice – Round out the warm spice flavor and add a little brightness.
How to Make Chunky Applesauce
You’ll need to make the applesauce first before turning it into apple butter.
Step 1: Peel and core 5–6 pounds of apples, then cut them into eighths. An apple coring and slicing tool can make this part much quicker.
Step 2: Add the sliced apples to a heavy pot along with 1 cup of water.
Step 3: Stir in 1 cup of sugar, adjusting the amount to taste depending on how sweet your apples are. You can also use a calorie-free sweetener if you want to reduce sugars.
Step 4: Cover the pot tightly and cook over medium heat for about 10–15 minutes, or until the apples begin to soften.
Step 5: Stir and taste the applesauce. Add a little more water or sugar if needed, then cook for another 5 minutes.
Step 6: Let the applesauce cool slightly, then use a stainless steel potato masher to break up the larger pieces. Leave some chunks if you’d like your finished apple butter to have more texture.
Now you’re ready to make the apple butter!
How to Make Oven Apple Butter
Here are the step-by-step instructions for making this Oven Apple Butter:
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Step 2: Add 2 quarts chunky applesauce to a deep oven-safe baking dish.
Step 3: Add 2½ cups granulated sugar, ½ cup brown sugar, ½ tablespoon cinnamon (my favorite is Ceylon cinnamon due to its full flavor), 1 teaspoon nutmeg, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Stir everything together until well combined.
Step 4: Bake uncovered for 3–4 hours, stirring occasionally as the applesauce cooks down.
Step 5: Check the apple butter by putting a small spoonful on a saucer. When it’s ready, it should be thick with almost no liquid separating around the edges.
At this point, you can transfer the apple butter to jars and refrigerate it, or continue with the canning instructions below.
How to Can Oven Apple Butter
Step 1: Spoon the hot apple butter into clean half-pint canning jars.
Step 2: Wipe the rims of the jars clean and adjust the lids and bands.
Step 3: Place the jars in a large stainless steel canning pot with the jars completely covered by boiling water.
Step 4: Once the water returns to a boil, process the jars for 5 minutes.
Step 5: Carefully remove the jars from the boiling water and place them on a towel on the counter to cool completely.
Step 6: Once the jars have cooled, wipe the outsides clean of any residue and store properly sealed jars in the pantry.
I always recommend referring to a current reputable canning guide, such as the Ball canning book, for questions about canning methods, altitude adjustments, and food safety.
Tips for Making Apple Butter
- Use apples you enjoy. A mixture of sweet and tart apples can give the apple butter a nice depth of flavor.
- Adjust the sugar to taste. Sweeter apples may not need quite as much.
- Don’t rush the oven time. It takes several hours for the applesauce to cook down and develop that thick apple butter consistency.
- Stir occasionally. This helps the mixture cook evenly as it thickens.
- Make it as chunky or smooth as you like. Leave some apple pieces in the applesauce for a rustic texture or mash it more thoroughly for smoother apple butter.
How to Tell When Apple Butter Is Done
The easiest way to tell is with the saucer test.
Spoon a small amount of apple butter onto a saucer. If you see quite a bit of liquid separating around the edges, let it cook longer. When the apple butter is finished, it should be noticeably thicker and have almost no liquid around the edges.
Ways to Use Apple Butter
Homemade apple butter is delicious spread on toast, sourdough biscuits, English muffins, or homemade bread. You can also spoon it over pancakes or waffles, swirl it into oatmeal, or add a little to yogurt.
It also makes a lovely homemade gift during the fall, especially when you preserve it in small half-pint jars.
How to Store
If you don’t want to can your apple butter, simply spoon it into clean jars, let it cool, and keep it refrigerated.
The original recipe notes that the chunky applesauce can also be frozen in freezer-safe containers if you want to make the apple butter at a later time.
Frequently Asked Questions
This particular recipe was developed using homemade chunky applesauce, and the applesauce instructions are included above.
Yes. Mash the apples more thoroughly or blend the applesauce before turning it into apple butter.
Once the applesauce is prepared, plan on about 3–4 hours of baking time. You only need to stir it occasionally.
The oven makes this recipe much more hands-off. Instead of standing at the stove stirring frequently, you can let the applesauce slowly cook down in the oven.
It should be dark and thick. A spoonful placed on a saucer should have almost no liquid separating around the edges.
The original recipe includes water-bath canning instructions, which are included above. Be sure to follow current reputable canning guidance, including any adjustments necessary for your altitude
If you make apple butter recipe and enjoy it, please leave a comment with a 5-star recipe rating and let me know! Thank you so much!
Oven Apple Butter
Equipment
- Apple peeler, corer, and slicer optional
- Large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven
- wooden spoon or silicone spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Small saucer for testing doneness
- Canning lids and bands
- Clean kitchen towels
Ingredients
For the Chunky Applesauce
- 5 –6 pounds apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar, or to taste
For the Apple Butter
- 2 quarts chunky applesauce
- 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
Make the Chunky Applesauce
- Peel and core 5–6 pounds of apples, then cut them into slices or eighths.
- Add the prepared apples to a large heavy-bottomed pot along with 1 cup water and 1 cup granulated sugar. Stir to combine.
- Cover the pot and cook over medium heat for about 10–15 minutes, or until the apples begin to soften. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Check the apples and add a little more water or sugar if needed. Continue cooking for about 5 more minutes, or until the apples are very soft.
- Remove the pot from the heat and use a potato masher to mash the apples to your desired consistency. Leave some small pieces of apple if you prefer a chunkier apple butter.
- Measure out 2 quarts (8 cups) of the chunky applesauce for the apple butter.
Make the Oven Apple Butter
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Add 2 quarts chunky applesauce to a large, deep oven-safe baking dish.
- Add 2 ½ cups granulated sugar, ½ cup brown sugar, ½ tablespoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Stir until thoroughly combined.
- Bake uncovered for 3–4 hours, stirring occasionally as the apple butter cooks down and thickens.
- To check for doneness, spoon a small amount onto a saucer. The apple butter is ready when it is thick and almost no liquid separates around the edges.
- Remove the apple butter from the oven and transfer it to clean jars for refrigerator storage, or proceed with the canning instructions if you plan to preserve it.
Notes
- Use apples you enjoy. A mixture of sweet and tart apples can give the apple butter a nice depth of flavor.
- Adjust the sugar to taste. Sweeter apples may not need quite as much.
- Don’t rush the oven time. It takes several hours for the applesauce to cook down and develop that thick apple butter consistency.
- Stir occasionally. This helps the mixture cook evenly as it thickens.
- Make it as chunky or smooth as you like. Leave some apple pieces in the applesauce for a rustic texture or mash it more thoroughly for smoother apple butter.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Wonderful recipe! Had a lot of applesauce, not sure of the amount, and just adjusted the spices. It was great not having splatters all over the stove and not having to watch it constantly. Tastes so warm and delicious! Thanks
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!
Wow, 53 quarts! That's a lot of canning! I know what you mean about it not lasting long, though.
The smell of apples cooking is so delicious! We canned applesauce this year, 53 qts. Not sure how long it will last, it is so yummy!
I should try applebutter sometime, not this year, maybe next year. 🙂 I'm done with canning for this season, time to focus on the new coming baby. 🙂
Josette~
I'll have to try it in the crock-pot next time–it sounds wonderful and delicious!
Mary~
Thank you so much for taking the time to post such helpful information, including the link! Have a great weekend!
Ohh I forgot to give the link.
https://www.pickyourown.org/applebutter.htm
I made my first batch last night and loved it! Thanks for the inspiration.
blessings and ((HUGS))
-Mary
Joy,
Here is one link about making apple butter and I thought you might want to know about elevation time of water bathing the jars after you fill them. I am at 2200 feet so I have to give a water bath of 10 min. for pint size jars. I thought you might want to know for your tutorial and sharing this with others.
Blessings!
-Mary
Yes, I have made mine in the crockpot too. I basically core the apples, chop into chunks, cook it for a while. I then mash it while it still is in the crockpot and add honey and cinnamon. It comes out fantastic!!