Sugar-Free Spiced Apple Butter for Canning: A Complete Guide

Making homemade apple butter without added sugar is a delicious way to preserve the natural sweetness of apples. This spiced apple butter recipe uses no added sweeteners, relying instead on the natural sugars in the fruit to create a rich, flavorful spread perfect for canning.

Why Make Sugar-Free Apple Butter?

Traditional apple butter recipes often call for cups of sugar, but the natural sweetness of apples makes additional sweeteners unnecessary. This healthy apple butter recipe lets the pure fruit flavors shine through while still delivering that classic, rich taste you expect from homemade apple butter.

Choosing the Best Apples

The key to great sugar-free apple butter is selecting sweeter apple varieties. Some excellent choices include:

• Fuji
• Honeycrisp
• Gala
• Golden Delicious
• Pink Lady

Equipment Needed

• Slow cooker or crockpot (alternatively, stovetop method available)
• Immersion blender or food mill
• Water bath canner
• Half-pint jars or pint jars
• Canning supplies (lids, rings, jar lifter)
• Large pot for sterilizing jars

Ingredients

• 6 pounds apples (mixture of sweet varieties)
• 1 cup apple cider
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions for Making Apple Butter

Step 1: Prepare the Apples

1. Wash apples thoroughly
2. Core and chop the apples (no need to peel the apples if using a food mill)
3. Place apple mixture in the slow cooker

Step 2: Initial Cooking

1. Add apple cider to the cooked apples
2. Cover and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours
3. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking

Step 3: Puree the Apples

Choose one method:

• Use an immersion blender to puree the apples directly in the pot
• Pass cooked apples through a food mill to remove skins
• Use a regular blender to puree the apples in batches

Step 4: Thicken the Apple Butter

1. Add spices (cinnamon, cloves, allspice, nutmeg)
2. Continue cooking uncovered on low to reduce and thicken
3. Cook until the apple butter holds its shape on a plate without liquid separating

Step 5: Canning Process

1. Sterilize canning jars and lids
2. Pour hot apple butter into hot glass jars
3. Leave 1/4 inch headspace
4. Process in a water bath canner for 15 minutes

Stovetop Method Alternative

If you prefer making apple butter on the stovetop:

1. Combine the apple mixture in a large pot
2. Reduce the heat to low after initial boiling
3. Simmer, stirring occasionally until thickened
4. Use an immersion blender to puree when soft

Storage Tips

• Properly processed jars of apple butter will keep for up to one year
• Store unopened jars in a cool, dark place
• Refrigerate after opening
• Can be frozen in freezer-safe containers

Ways to Use Apple Butter

• Spread on toast or biscuits
• Mix into oatmeal
• Use as a natural sweetener in baking
• Add to smoothies
• Pair with cheese plates

Recipe Notes

• Cook time varies depending on apple variety and desired thickness
• The natural sweetness of the apples concentrates as the butter cooks down
• No added sugar or sweeteners needed for this recipe
• Tested recipe approved for home food preservation

This spiced apple butter recipe delivers all the rich flavor you expect without any added sweeteners. The slow cooking process allows the natural sugars in the apples to caramelize, creating a deep, complex flavor that's perfect for canning and enjoying year-round.

Remember to follow proper home food preservation guidelines from the National Center for Home Food Preservation when canning your apple butter. This ensures a safe, shelf-stable product that you can enjoy for months to come.