Pioneer Woman Apple Butter recipe is a classic, slow-cooked spread made from apples, sugar and spices. This recipe yields about 4 cups and takes approximately 2-3 hours to prepare, including cooking time.
Try More Pioneer Woman Apple Recipes:
🧡 Why You’ll Love This Pioneer Woman Apple Butter Recipe:
- Rich Flavor: The apple butter has a deep, complex flavor with a perfect balance of sweet and tart.
- Versatile Use: It’s incredibly versatile and can be used in various ways, from spreading on toast to topping pancakes or using in baking.
- Easy to Make: While time-consuming, the process is simple and requires minimal hands-on time.
- Homemade Goodness: Making your own apple butter is incredibly rewarding and tastes far superior to store-bought.
❓ What Is Pioneer Woman Apple Butter Recipe?
Pioneer Woman Apple Butter recipe is a traditional method for making apple butter, involving slow-cooking apples with sugar and spices until they become a thick, smooth spread. It’s a labor of love but results in a delicious and deeply flavorful condiment.

🍎 Ingredients
- 6 pounds apples (such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn), peeled, cored, and chopped
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
🍯 Instructions:
- In a large pot, combine the apples, sugar, apple cider, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat and simmer gently, uncovered, for 1-2 hours, or until the apples are very soft and the mixture has thickened. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Use an immersion blender or food processor to puree the apple mixture until smooth.
- Return the pureed mixture to the pot and simmer for another 30-45 minutes, or until it reaches the desired consistency (it should be thick and slightly syrupy).
- If you plan to can the apple butter, sterilize jars and lids in boiling water for 10 minutes.
- Ladle the hot apple butter into sterilized jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace. Wipe the rims of the jars clean. Seal with lids and screw bands tightly.
- If canning, process the jars in a water bath canner for 15 minutes. Remove the jars from the canner and let them cool completely on a rack before storing.

💭 Recipe Tips:
- Apple Choice: Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for the best flavor.
- Slow and Steady: Simmer the apples gently over low heat to prevent scorching.
- Stir Regularly: Stir the mixture occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Adjust Sweetness: Add more sugar for a sweeter apple butter or less for a tarter flavor.
- Spice Variation: Experiment with different spices, such as ginger or cardamom.
🥞 What To Serve With Apple Butter?
Apple Butter pairs well with warm biscuits, toast, pancakes, or waffles spread it on Apple Crisp Muffins, Apple Butter Bars or Apple Crisp Bread for extra flavor. It also complements Apple Crisp Egg Rolls, Apple Butter French Toast and Apple Peanut Butter Cookies, adding a sweet spiced touch to both sweet and savory dishes.

🎚 How To Store Leftovers Apple Butter?
- Refrigerator: Store unopened jars of canned apple butter in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year. After opening refrigerate for up to 3 weeks.
- Freezer: Freeze leftovers apple butter in an airtight container for up to 6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using.
FAQ’S
Why is my Apple Butter too tart?
Apple Butter may be too tart if using only tart apples like Granny Smith. To balance the flavor, add a sweet variety of apples, honey, or extra sugar.
Can I make Apple Butter with unpeeled apples?
Yes, you can make Apple Butter with unpeeled apples, especially if blending it at the end. The peels add fiber and nutrients but may slightly affect the texture.
Is Apple Butter healthy?
Apple Butter is naturally sweet but can be high in sugar. Using unsweetened apples and reducing added sugar makes it a healthier alternative to jams and syrups.
How do I know when Apple Butter is done?
Apple Butter is done when it becomes thick, dark brown, and spreadable. A spoonful should hold its shape on a plate without running.
What’s the difference between Apple Butter and applesauce?
Apple Butter is thicker, darker, and more concentrated than applesauce because it is cooked longer, caramelizing the sugars. Applesauce is lighter and chunkier, with a milder apple flavor.
How do I thicken Apple Butter?
To thicken Apple Butter, continue cooking uncovered on low heat to evaporate excess liquid. You can also stir occasionally or use a blender for a smoother, thicker texture.
More Pioneer Woman Apple Recipes:
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 75kcal
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fat: 1g
- Sodium: 36mg
- Potassium: 23mg
- Sugar: 17g
- Calcium: 10mg
- Iron: 0.2mg

Pioneer Woman Apple Butter Recipe
Description
Pioneer Woman Apple Butter recipe is a classic, slow-cooked spread made from apples, sugar and spices. This recipe yields about 4 cups and takes approximately 2-3 hours to prepare, including cooking time.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large pot, combine the apples, sugar, apple cider, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat and simmer gently, uncovered, for 1-2 hours, or until the apples are very soft and the mixture has thickened. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Use an immersion blender or food processor to puree the apple mixture until smooth.
- Return the pureed mixture to the pot and simmer for another 30-45 minutes, or until it reaches the desired consistency (it should be thick and slightly syrupy).
- If you plan to can the apple butter, sterilize jars and lids in boiling water for 10 minutes.
- Ladle the hot apple butter into sterilized jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace. Wipe the rims of the jars clean. Seal with lids and screw bands tightly.
- If canning, process the jars in a water bath canner for 15 minutes. Remove the jars from the canner and let them cool completely on a rack before storing.
Notes
- Apple Choice: Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for the best flavor.
Slow and Steady: Simmer the apples gently over low heat to prevent scorching.
Stir Regularly: Stir the mixture occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
Adjust Sweetness: Add more sugar for a sweeter apple butter or less for a tarter flavor.
Spice Variation: Experiment with different spices, such as ginger or cardamom.