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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
