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Do you know How to make Homemade Amish Apple Butter? If you haven’t yet tried your hand at making a batch this is the recipe to try. By adding apples, cider and spices to a crock pot you will have homemade Amish apple butter to spread over toast or a biscuit in a matter of hours. There’s something satisfying about creating homemade apple butter, a process that brings a touch of nostalgia to our modern kitchens.

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Amish Apple Butter

Homemade Amish Apple Butter is a thick fruit spread made from cooked-down apples. It often contains spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves, and has a warm caramel color. Making it at home can transport you back to an era where life and the simple joys of home-cooked food were cherished.

Missouri is home to a large population of Amish, and my childhood memories of driving past Amish farms sparked my curiosity about their customs and traditions. Many Amish communities dot the small towns around the Southwest Missouri Ozarks. In the heart of the Ozarks, you can find this delicious butter at almost every farmers market and local grocery store on a Saturday morning. However, the experience of making your own Amish apple butter at home offers a deeper connection to these traditions.

Slowly cooking apples and spices over the course of several hours in a crock pot allows you to appreciate the art of traditional apple butter recipes. It’s a way of bringing a piece of Amish country into your kitchen, filling your home with the aroma of cinnamon, cloves, and apples. There’s a certain magic in watching simple ingredients transform into a rich, flavorful spread.

Apple butter being spread over biscuit on plate.

Making Amish Apple Butter

The process of making Homemade Amish Apple Butter is steeped in the tradition of Amish culinary practices. Unlike commercial apple butter, which often relies on added sugars and preservatives, Amish Apple Butter is typically made with minimal ingredients and a variety of apples can be chosen to cook with. The slow cooking process allows the natural sweetness of the apples to develop fully, resulting in a thick, rich spread that can be used along with butter on bread or as a toping or filling.

The apples are cored, sliced, and cooked down with cider or apple juice until they reach a thick, spreadable consistency. Spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and allspice are added to enhance the natural flavors of the apples. This method not only preserves the apples but also creates a product that can be enjoyed long after the harvest season has ended. The process can take several hours, but the result is a deeply flavorful spread that is well worth the wait.

Amish Apple Butter Uses

In Amish communities, apple butter is more than just a delicious spread; it’s a symbol of frugality and self-sufficiency. It’s often made in large quantities during the fall when apples are abundant, ensuring that there’s a supply to last through the winter months. Families gather to cut and core the apples and tend to large copper kettles over open fires, making the preparation of apple butter a communal event. This strengthens community bonds and preserves a time-honored tradition passed down through generations.

Apple butter is incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of ways. Spread it on freshly baked bread or warm biscuits for a simple yet satisfying treat. It can also be used as a flavorful addition to oatmeal, yogurt, or pancakes. For a savory twist, try incorporating apple butter into glazes for meats or as a condiment for cheese platters. Its rich, spiced flavor pairs particularly well with pork dishes, adding a sweet and tangy depth that complements the meat perfectly. For dessert lovers, a dollop of homemade apple butter on vanilla ice cream creates a delightful combination.

History of Apple Butter

Originally, old-fashioned fruit butters were made from less choice fruits with a moderate amount of sugar. During harvest season, the apples were sorted, and bruised or flawed apples were used to make apple cider and apple butter.

Homemade Amish Apple Butter is generally made in batches using a large copper kettles. These pots are set outside over an open fire at the beginning of the day, and apples that had been cored, cut and peeled the day before would be added with water. A long wooden paddle is used to stir the mixture and keep it from scorching in the pot. Near the end of the 10-12 hour cook time, sugar and spices are added to give the smooth caramelized apple mixture its amazing taste. You can still watch traditional apple butter being made in Lawrence County, Missouri, at the yearly Apple Butter Makin’ Days Festival.

Overhead ingredient shot with green apples, apple cider, sugar, salt, spice and a lemon half.

Health Benefits of Apple Butter

Beyond its delightful taste, homemade Amish Apple Butter also offers some health benefits. It’s typically lower in sugar than commercial jams and preserves, making it a healthier option for those looking to reduce their sugar intake. The apples themselves are rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, which can contribute to overall health and wellness. Additionally, the spices used in apple butter, such as cinnamon and cloves, have their own health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and digestive properties.

In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in traditional and artisanal foods, and Amish Apple Butter fits perfectly into this trend. Many people are seeking out minimally processed foods, and Amish Apple Butter offers an authentic taste with less ingredients. While the traditional methods are still very much alive in Amish communities, some modern adaptations have emerged. For instance, slow cookers and Instant Pots can be used to make apple butter at home in smaller batches, providing a convenient way to enjoy this classic spread without the need for hours of stirring. Since not everyone can create Amish butter with true authenticity (or has a large copper kettle on hand), we’re going to be using a Crock Pot for our best apple butter recipe.

Making Homemade Amish Apple Butter

Making your own Amish Apple Butter at home is easier than you might think. With a crock pot, apple corer, knife, apple cider and spices you can have this delicious fruit spread ready in a matter of hours. Here’s a simple recipe to get you started.

Ingredients:

6 pounds of apples (we used Granny Smith, a tart variety)
2 cups organic apple cider or apple juice
1 cup dark brown sugar (adjust to taste)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 Tablespoon apple pie spice
1 teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon salt
Juice of 1/2 lemon

Wooden cutting board with green apples being cored and sliced.

Instructions:

Prepare the Apples: Wash and cut the apples into slices using an apple slicer. (We left the peels on to add extra flavor and nutrients.) Place the apples, lemon juice and apple cider (or juice) in your slow cooker.
Add Sugar and Spices: Stir in the sugar and spices. Adjust the sugar according to your taste preference. For a unique twist, you can substitute some of the sugar with maple syrup or corn syrup.
Cook the Apples: Cook on low for 8-10 hours, stirring occasionally, until the apples are very soft.
Blend the Apples: Use an immersion blender to puree the apples until smooth (similar consistency to apple sauce). Continue Cooking: Cook on low for an additional 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the apple butter has thickened to your desired consistency.
Store the Apple Butter: Let the apple butter cool completely, then transfer to airtight containers. Store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or process in a water bath canner for longer storage.

Three overhead pictures of crockpot with green apple slices being cooked.

Two overhead pictures of slow cooker with apples being cooked and blended together.

Amish Apple Butter Variations and Tips

Homemade Amish Apple Butter also makes a great gift. Package it in pretty jars with a ribbon along side our Cherry Bread and you have a delicious present, perfect for any occasion. We recommend a glass jar that seals well, Amazon has a great assortment of jars to purchase for large batches.

Apple butter in glass jar with biscuits in background.

Conclusion

Homemade Amish Apple Butter is more than just a condiment; it’s a culinary tradition that embodies the values of simplicity, community, and sustainability. Whether enjoyed on its own or as a pie filling, its rich, spiced flavor is a testament to natural ingredients and time-honored cooking methods. When you use apple butter in your kitchen, you’re not only treating yourself to a delicious spread but also continuing a cultural practice that celebrates the harvest and preserving of fruit.

Apple butter spread on biscuit with jar of apple butter in background.

This modern adaptation of apple butter captures the essence of fall. Transforming simple apples into a flavorful condiment that’s perfect for enjoying daily or sharing with loved ones.