Easy Oven-Baked Apple Butter Recipe

Name: Easy Oven-Baked Apple Butter Recipe
Total time: 3 hrs 40 mins
Ingredients: 4 pounds apples - peeled, cored, and chopped; 2 cups apple cider; 0.75 cup dark brown sugar; 1 pinch kosher salt; 1 cinnamon stick; 1 star anise; 3 whole allspice berries; 2 whole cloves; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

After apple picking, I wanted to create apple butter but avoid hours of stovetop stirring. This oven-baked recipe, adapted from others, delivers a spiced, not-too-sweet treat effortlessly. Perfect on toast or oatmeal, it keeps refrigerated for days or frozen for later.

Total time3 hrs 40 mins
Prep time15 mins
Cook time3 hrs 25 mins
Yield5 cups, 40

Adjust servings

Scale ingredients instantly for the number of servings you need.

Servings

Ingredients

4 pounds apples - peeled, cored, and chopped
2 cups apple cider
0.75 cup dark brown sugar
1 pinch kosher salt
1 cinnamon stick
1 star anise
3 whole allspice berries
2 whole cloves
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Instructions

In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, combine apples, apple cider, sugar, and salt. Add cinnamon, star anise, allspice, and cloves. Bring to a simmer. Partially cover and cook until apples soften, approximately 20 to 25 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C).
Remove and discard the allspice and cloves using a slotted spoon. Remove and set aside the cinnamon and star anise. Use an immersion blender to purée the apples until completely smooth. Stir in lemon juice and the reserved cinnamon and star anise.
Bake uncovered in the preheated oven, stirring every 30 minutes, until the mixture thickens and the color deepens, about 3 hours total. Allow it to cool completely. Prior to transferring to airtight containers, discard the cinnamon and star anise.

Nutrition

Calories: 47 kcal
Fat Content: 0 g
Fiber Content: 1 g
Sugar Content: 10 g
Sodium Content: 13 mg
Protein Content: 0 g
Carbohydrate Content: 12 g
Unsaturated Fat Content: 0 g