Apple Butter: A Cozy Fall Project That Almost Didn't Work

Apple butter is one of those recipes that sounds simple, but as I learned, it’s all about patience—and a little trial and error. This was a first for me, inspired by my sister’s suggestion to try making it with the apples I’d picked. What I didn’t expect was how much of a learning curve there would be, and how my first attempt would end in something between apple sauce and apple butter. Here’s how it all unfolded and why this recipe ended up being paired with Fandough (Fanny), our sweet yearling at Rumsar Ranch.

The Story Behind the Apple Butter

After hauling home 40 pounds of freshly picked apples, I had a long list of apple projects planned. Apple butter wasn’t originally on that list, but my sister convinced me to give it a go. She raved about how cozy and delicious it is, and I couldn’t resist the idea of making something so quintessentially fall.

I started with my ex-Mennonite friend’s recipe, which called for a crockpot and an overnight cook time. Now, I’ll admit—I’m not the biggest fan of crockpots. They always make me nervous, like they’ll explode or boil over. But with 40 pounds of apples and nothing to lose, I decided to give it a shot.

The Recipe: Apple Butter (Makes 5-7 half-pint jars)

 Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1,8-2,2kg pounds apples

• 300g-400g sugar*

• 1/2 tsp ground ginger

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon 

• 1/4 tsp ground cloves 

• 1/8 tsp ground allspice 

• 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg 

Instructions:

1. Choose Your Apples 

• Use a mix of apple varieties for the best flavor and texture. For example, you can use 1 lb of Granny Smith apples for tartness and the rest Honeycrisp for sweetness.

2. Prep the Apples

• Wash, peel, and core the apples. Slice them as thinly as possible for easier cooking. You can use a mandolin or food processor.

3. Cook in the Crockpot

• Place the apples, sugar, and any desired spices into a crockpot. Set it on low and cook for 8-12 hours (overnight is ideal).

4. Blend to Smooth

• Use an immersion blender to mix the apples until smooth.

5. Jar the “Butter”

• Carefully transfer the hot apple butter into sterilized jars. You can store it in the fridge for immediate use or process the jars according to canning best practices for long-term storage.

*Adjust sugar to taste based on your sweetness preference. You can also use a mix of brown and white.

Lessons from the Kitchen

First Attempt: The Late-Night Saga

My first batch was a comedy of errors. I spent an hour peeling and chopping apples, only to forget the sugar until the crockpot had already been on for four hours. I figured it was salvageable and threw the sugar in, but by the time I went to blend it at 9 p.m., the mixture was way too thin. Exhausted and with work the next day, I let it cook until midnight, hoping it would thicken. Spoiler: it didn’t. By 2 a.m., I was in bed with jars of what could only be described as “apple butter-adjacent” sauce cooling on my counter.

Second Attempt: Overnight Success

Determined to get it right, I gave it another shot a few weeks later. This time, I cooked the apples overnight. By morning, my house smelled like a cozy autumn dream. The mixture was better—darker, thicker, and richer—but still not quite the apple butter I’d imagined. I let it cook for another four hours, stirring and checking every hour. Finally, I had to call it and can what was in the pot. While still a bit thinner than traditional apple butter, the flavor was incredible: sweet, spiced, and perfect for spreading on toast.

A Perfect Match for Fandough

This batch was paired with Fandough (or Fanny), the newest addition to Rumsar Ranch at the time. As a yearling and Lulu’s best friend, her personality was still developing. Pairing her with apple butter felt fitting—sweet, young, and a little unexpected. Sometimes, things don’t go exactly as planned, but they still turn out pretty great.

Why You Should Try This Recipe

Making apple butter is a cozy fall tradition that fills your home with warmth and the smell of spices. Even if it takes a couple of tries to perfect, the results are worth it. Spread it on toast, swirl it into oatmeal, or use it as a filling for pastries. It’s versatile, delicious, and a wonderful way to make use of freshly picked apples.

Have you made apple butter before? What’s your favorite way to enjoy it? Share your tips and stories in the comments below!