Vegan Apple Butter Recipe

Introduction

This vegan apple butter is a deliciously spiced spread made from tender apples and warm spices. It’s perfect for slathering on toast, stirring into oatmeal, or using as a natural sweetener in recipes. Made without any animal products, it’s a wholesome treat for any time of day.

Ingredients

• 3 large red apples
• 1 3/4 cups apple juice
• 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: Core and chop the apples into large chunks. Add the apples, apple juice, and apple cider vinegar to a large pot or dutch oven. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 30 minutes until the apples have softened.
2. Step 2: Stir in the brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt until fully combined with the cooked apples.
3. Step 3: Use an immersion blender to puree the mixture directly in the pot, or transfer to a standing blender and blend until smooth. The apple butter will be thin at this stage.
4. Step 4: Return the blended apple butter to the pot and cook uncovered over medium heat for 30–45 minutes, stirring every 5–10 minutes to prevent burning, until thickened.
5. Step 5: The apple butter is ready when it’s thick and no longer easily drizzles from a spoon. Serve warm or cool before storing.

Tips & Variations

• Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for a more complex flavor.
• Adjust the brown sugar to taste for a sweeter or less sweet apple butter.
• Add a pinch of ground ginger or allspice for extra warmth.
• For a chunkier texture, blend only half the apples and leave the rest in small pieces.

Storage

Store the apple butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of apples for this recipe?

Yes, any apple variety works well. Combining sweet apples like Fuji or Gala with tart ones like Granny Smith can balance the flavor nicely.

Is this apple butter suitable for freezing?

Absolutely. Freeze in airtight containers or freezer-safe jars for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat gently before use.

Vegan Apple Butter Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 124 reviews

• Author: Hugo
• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 2 cups 1x
• Diet: Vegan

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Description

This vegan apple butter recipe offers a smooth, spiced spread made from fresh red apples, apple juice, and a blend of warm spices. Slow-simmered on the stovetop, it delivers a richly flavored, naturally sweetened apple butter perfect for toasting, baking, or adding to your favorite dishes.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fruit and Liquids

• 3 large red apples
• 1 3/4 cups apple juice
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

Sweeteners and Spices

• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare Apples: Core and chop the apples into large chunks. Add the apples, apple juice, and apple cider vinegar to a large pot or Dutch oven. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 30 minutes or until the apples have softened.
2. Add Flavorings: Stir in brown sugar, vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract), ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Mix well with the softened apples until fully combined.
3. Blend to Smooth: Use an immersion blender directly in the pot or transfer the mixture to a standing blender. Blend until smooth. At this stage, the apple butter will still be quite thin.
4. Simmer to Thicken: Pour the blended apple butter back into the pot and cook uncovered over medium heat for 30 to 45 minutes. Stir every 5 to 10 minutes to prevent burning and to encourage thickening.
5. Finish and Serve: The apple butter is ready when it becomes thick and no longer drizzles easily from a spoon. Serve warm or let cool and store as desired.

Notes

• Use tart apples for a more balanced apple butter flavor.
• Adjust sweetness by varying the amount of brown sugar to taste.
• Store apple butter in sterilized jars in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
• This recipe is vegan and free from animal products.
• If you prefer a chunkier texture, blend less or mash the apples instead of pureeing completely.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Category: Condiment
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Vegan apple butter, apple spread, homemade apple butter, fall recipe, apple condiment, vegan spread