Everything's Better With These Apple Butter Recipes

Apple butter — that thick, smooth spread made from slow-cooked apples, spices, and a touch of sweetness — is a flavor-packed fall sidekick that tastes like biting into a warm, caramelized apple pie. Cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg swirl together in every spoonful, making it the perfect combo of sweet and spicy. 

READ MORE: The Psychology of Fall Flavors

Slather apple butter on toast, dollop it on pancakes, or mix it into oatmeal for an easy autumn-inspired breakfast. And it plays nice with savory dishes too, such as pork or roasted veggies. Apple butter's thick texture makes it a great addition to baked goods, adding moisture and flavor to muffins, cakes, and quick breads, and it's a secret ingredient for BBQ sauces and marinades. 

Let us sing the praises of this incredibly versatile, scrum-diddly-umptious spread by shouting out five ways to enjoy it. You butter believe it!

Apple Butter Toast

Apple butter's rich flavor brings an indulgent vibe to your breakfast. To make a delicious toast topper, combine 1 tablespoon of cream cheese with a heaping spoonful of apple butter and mix until smooth and creamy. Toast your favorite bread or croissant until golden, then spread the apple butter cream cheese over the top. Garnish it with thinly sliced apples for a bit of crunch, and finish with a drizzle of honey and pinch of sea salt. Or toast your favorite hearty bread, such as whole grain or sourdough, slather on the topping, and garnish with apples or banana slices and sprinkles of cinnamon. 

Apple Butter, Prosciutto, and Gorgonzola Pizza

Use apple butter on pizza instead of tomato sauce for a sweet, tangy twist that pairs beautifully with bold Gorgonzola cheese, salty prosciutto, and arugula. Preheat the oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Roll out 1 pound of pre-made pizza dough into a 12-inch circle on a lightly floured work surface. Spread a 1/2 cup of apple butter over the top, leaving a 2-inch border around the edges. Sprinkle a 1/2 cup of Gorgonzola on top, then tear up 3 slices of prosciutto and scatter them across the pizza. Pop it in the oven until the cheese is bubbly and the crust looks golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Toss 1 cup of arugula with 1 teaspoon of olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and scatter it over the top of the pizza before serving.

Homemade Apple Butter BBQ Sauce

Apple butter's sweet, tangy flavors are excellent for making homemade BBQ sauce. The natural sugars in apple butter give that perfect sticky finish, while the warm spices add depth. To create apple butter BBQ sauce: In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup of apple butter, a 1/2 cup of ketchup, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, and 2 tablespoons of brown sugar. Stir in 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, and a 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Transfer to a saucepan over medium heat and stir until well blended, about five minutes. Give it a taste — if it's too sweet, add more vinegar; if it’s not sweet enough, add more sugar. Cool before using the sauce, on chicken wings or thighs, pork ribs, or grilled sweet potatoes.

Apple butter quick breads and muffins

If you’re looking to bring a rich, spiced apple flavor to complement your favorite quick bread, such as pear, banana, and zucchini, apple butter will be your new best friend — and it renders the crumb soft and tender. The natural sweetness of apple butter can also reduce the amount of added sugar in your recipe. If you want to swap apple butter for regular butter or a neutral oil in a quick bread recipe, use a 1-to-1 ratio. Swirl apple butter into muffins too! We love this template for customizable fruit and spice muffins: Swap the butter in the batter with 3 tablespoons of apple butter and the chopped pears for orchard apples.

We also love these apple butter cinnamon rolls for a fall weekend brunch…just sayin’!

Apple butter cocktails

You may not think of using apple butter in libations, but this unique twist on a classic Moscow Mule, a Bourbon Mule, composed of apple cider, bourbon, lime juice, apple butter, and ginger beer, is a winner. The apple butter imparts a rich, sweet, spiced apple essence, perfectly complemented by the tangy lime juice. The ginger beer adds a spicy kick, balancing the sweetness and keeping the drink refreshingly crisp. Or try an Apple Butter Old Fashioned: Combine 2 ounces of bourbon, a 1/2 ounce of apple butter, and two dashes of Angostura bitters in a mixing glass. Add ice and stir until the mixture is well chilled. Strain the cocktail into an old-fashioned glass with a large ice cube, and garnish with an orange twist.