Oven Apple Butter Recipe

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

• 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

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

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.

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.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions