Instant Pot Apple Butter Recipe for Canning or the Fridge

Is there anything that says fall quite like a pot of apple butter simmering away? It's sweet, spiced and deeply caramelized, and it's wonderful on toast, stirred into oatmeal, or spooned straight from the jar (no judgment here).

Apple butter can be made any time of year, but it's at its most delicious when apples are picked at the peak of their flavor. This recipe works beautifully for both canning and refrigerator storage, and using an Instant Pot for the first stage cuts your cooking time nearly in half. Your kitchen is going to smell amazing.

Prep time: 40 minutes
Cook time: 5 hours
Ready in: 1 day

A quick tip on the apples: Use any mixture of apples you love. We prefer equal parts Honey Crisp, Jonagold and Golden Delicious for a balance of tart, sweet and floral notes.

Ingredients

• 12 lbs apples, equal parts Honey Crisp, Jonagold and Golden Delicious, peeled, cored and sliced
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 cups white sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice

Instructions

1. Peel and core the apples, then slice into quarters or sixths.
2. Add the apple slices and all remaining ingredients to the Instant Pot.
3. Set the vent to sealing, then cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
4. Allow pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes, then manually vent the remaining steam and remove the lid carefully.
5. Let the mixture cool slightly, then blend until completely smooth. Use caution, because the mixture will be very hot.
6. Transfer the blended mixture to a slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours to caramelize and deepen the flavor.

If you're canning

1. Ladle the hot apple butter into sterilized half-pint or pint Mason jars, leaving 1/4 inch of headspace. Wipe the jar rims to remove any residue.
2. Place the filled jars into a canning pot, making sure they are covered by at least one inch of water. Cover and bring to a boil. Process for 10 minutes at altitudes up to 1,000 ft.
3. Remove the jars and cool them upright, undisturbed, for 24 hours. Do not retighten the bands.

Living above 1,000 ft? Check a tested canning guide for the right processing time at your altitude.

Enjoy it all season long

However you store it, a jar of homemade apple butter makes a lovely gift, too. Happy cooking!

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