10 Spiced Apple Butter Recipes

As the leaves turn golden and the air fills with the crisp scent of autumn, my mind always drifts back to my grandmother’s kitchen. I remember standing on a stool as a wide-eyed kid, watching her stir massive pots of bubbling apple butter over the wood stove during harvest season. The house would be thick with the aroma of cinnamon, cloves, and slow-simmered apples from our family’s orchard—it was pure magic, turning humble fruit into jars of golden treasure that lasted through winter.

Lately, I’ve been experimenting in my own kitchen, tweaking those childhood flavors with modern twists like chai spices and even a hint of bourbon. Spiced apple butter isn’t just a nostalgic spread; it’s a versatile powerhouse—naturally sweetened, packed with fiber and antioxidants, and perfect for everything from toast to glazes. In today’s busy world, these recipes bring that cozy comfort back, made easy with a slow cooker or stovetop.

Classic Cinnamon Clove Apple Butter

This timeless recipe captures the essence of fall with warm cinnamon and cloves. Ingredients: 10 lbs apples (peeled, cored, chopped), 2 cups sugar, 2 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp ground cloves, 1 tsp vanilla extract, juice of 1 lemon.
Peel and chop apples, then slow-cook on low for 8-10 hours with sugar, spices, lemon juice, and a splash of water until thick. Blend smooth, then simmer uncovered for 30 minutes to concentrate flavors. Rich in pectin for natural thickness, it’s heart-healthy, boosts immunity with vitamin C, and stores for up to a year.

Pumpkin Pie Spiced Apple Butter

Evoking pumpkin pie vibes without the crust, this blend uses allspice and nutmeg for depth. Ingredients: 10 lbs apples, 1.5 cups brown sugar, 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice (or mix 2 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp nutmeg, ½ tsp allspice, ½ tsp ginger), ¼ cup apple cider.
Combine all in a slow cooker, cook on low 10 hours, blend, and reduce on stovetop for 20 minutes. It’s lower in sugar naturally, aids digestion with ginger, and pairs perfectly with oatmeal or cheese boards.

Chai Tea Infused Apple Butter

Exotic chai spices like cardamom and black tea elevate this to tea-time luxury. Ingredients: 10 lbs apples, 2 cups sugar, 2 chai tea bags (or 1 tsp each cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper), 1 tsp vanilla.
Slow-cook apples with steeped chai bags and spices for 9 hours, remove bags, blend, and simmer 30 minutes. Antioxidant-rich from tea and spices, it supports metabolism and makes a gourmet gift.

Bourbon Barrel Spiced Apple Butter

A boozy twist with smoky bourbon and oak notes for adult palates. Ingredients: 10 lbs apples, 1.5 cups sugar, ¼ cup bourbon, 2 tsp cinnamon, ½ tsp nutmeg, ¼ tsp cayenne for kick.
Cook low 8 hours, stir in bourbon post-blend, reduce 20 minutes. The alcohol cooks off, leaving depth; it’s great for glazes, with anti-inflammatory spices.

Cranberry Ginger Spiced Apple Butter

Tangy cranberries and zingy ginger brighten this vibrant red spread. Ingredients: 8 lbs apples, 2 lbs cranberries, 2 cups sugar, 2 tbsp fresh ginger (grated), 1 tsp cinnamon, lemon zest.
Simmer all on stovetop or slow cooker 6-8 hours until mushy, blend smooth. Loaded with vitamin C for immunity, it’s tart-sweet and ideal for turkey sandwiches.

Maple Pecan Spiced Apple Butter

Nutty pecans and pure maple syrup add crunch and indulgence. Ingredients: 10 lbs apples, 1 cup maple syrup, ½ cup chopped pecans, 1.5 tsp cinnamon, ½ tsp allspice.
Slow-cook 9 hours, stir in pecans last 30 minutes post-blend. Heart-healthy fats from pecans, natural sugars from maple—perfect for waffles or baking.

Cardamom Orange Zest Apple Butter

Citrusy orange and aromatic cardamom for a fresh, worldly flair. Ingredients: 10 lbs apples, 1.5 cups sugar, zest/juice of 2 oranges, 1 tsp ground cardamom, ½ tsp cinnamon.
Cook low 10 hours, blend with zest. Digestive aid from cardamom, vitamin-packed—spreads beautifully on scones.

Smoky Chipotle Spiced Apple Butter

A bold, savory spin with chipotle for BBQ lovers. Ingredients: 10 lbs apples, 1.5 cups brown sugar, 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo (minced), 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika.
Slow-cook 8 hours, blend, simmer to thicken. Metabolism-boosting capsaicin, versatile for meats or dips.

Vanilla Bean Gingerbread Apple Butter

Molasses-rich gingerbread spices meet creamy vanilla bean. Ingredients: 10 lbs apples, 1 cup molasses, 1 vanilla bean (split), 2 tsp ginger, 1 tsp cinnamon, ½ tsp cloves.
Cook low 9 hours with scraped vanilla, blend. Soothing for digestion, luxurious on gingerbread or yogurt.

Rosemary Honey Spiced Apple Butter

Herbal rosemary and floral honey for an elegant, savory-sweet fusion. Ingredients: 10 lbs apples, 1 cup honey, 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, 1 tsp cinnamon, pinch nutmeg.
Infuse rosemary during 10-hour slow cook, remove, blend, reduce. Antimicrobial honey and rosemary boost wellness—great for cheese platters.

These spiced apple butter recipes are your ticket to fall’s most delicious adventure—simple to make, endlessly versatile, and sure to fill your home with warmth. Grab some apples and start canning; your taste buds (and pantry) will thank you!