Adventures of Mel

Category: Apple Season

  • How to Make Homemade Apple Pie Spice Recipe From Scratch

    How to Make Homemade Apple Pie Spice Recipe From Scratch

    How to make this easy homemade apple pie spice recipe from scratch in 5 minutes or less. Warm and fragrant cinnamon spice mix that stores well, so that you can always have some on hand for your favorite fall-inspired treats and desserts!

    Don’t get me wrong; I love spring and summer, but the fall season has the best desserts! It’s hard to beat a good Dutch apple crumb pie during the peak apple season, and I just love this easy apple crumble. Ever since I went gluten free, I’ve been making this gluten free apple crisp recipe all the time.

    closeup photo of homemade apple pie spice in a small glass bowl next to a brown checkerboard cloth on a bright white countertop

    Most fall desserts call for fall spices, like cinnamon, nutmeg and a few others. Instead of measuring out each individual spice for every recipe, I’ve started just using my own apple pie spice mix or sometimes this homemade pumpkin pie spice when I’m making pumpkin recipes. You can generally use one or the other as a substitute any time those autumn spices are called for!

    And if you’re wondering what the main difference between apple spice and pumpkin pie spice is, pumpkin spice usually has cloves, while as apple pie spice does not. That said, you can generally substitute one for the other without making too much of a difference.

    Why You’ll Love This Apple Pie Spice Recipe

    • You can make this easy one-bowl recipe in 5 minutes or less, and it uses cheap and simple ingredients.
    • It’s chock full of warm, comforting fall spices we all know and love. There’s just something so cozy about the sweet, aromatic smell of this apple pie spice during the fall or holiday season!
    • It’s perfect for all of your favorite, fall-inspired desserts and recipes. It makes an easy apple pie spice substitute for just about any recipe that calls for a touch of autumn spice.
    • This recipe makes about 5 tablespoons of apple pie spice, but you can double, triple or even quadruple it to make as big of a batch as you need!
    • The best part is that this recipe is easily customizable. You can add or take out whatever spices you want! I don’t like cardamom, so I made this homemade apple pie spice mix without cardamom.
    • If you have any food allergies, like a gluten or nut intolerance, you can make your apple pie spice with allergen-friendly ingredients. Unfortunately, many store bought spice companies are pretty vague when it comes to food allergens that are listed on the label, so you never really know what you’re getting.
    apple pie spice recipe ingredients lined out on a small wooden cutting board on a bright white countertop

    Ingredients & Substitutions Notes

    • Cinnamon – Did you know that there are different types of cinnamon? Some people like the milder flavor of a good Ceylon cinnamon, but I prefer the strong flavor of a good Saigon/Vietnamese cinnamon. It’s also cheaper at my local grocery store. Cinnamon is the main ingredient for this recipe, so it does make a difference. If you want to learn more, here’s a great guide to all of the different types of cinnamon available in most big box grocery stores.
    • Nutmeg – I just use a small amount of whatever ground nutmeg I can find.
    • Allspice – Although many people think that allspice is a blend of various spices, it’s actually just the ground berries from the allspice tree! It has a very unique and spicy cinnamon flavor that gives off hints of black pepper. This recipe wouldn’t be the same without it.
    • Ginger – I use ground ginger for this recipe, but it’s very strong and pungent, so you’ll want to use it in sparing quantities. A little bit goes a long way.
    • Other Spices – I usually keep things simple with the 4 spices already mentioned, but you can also add other ground spices to your own spice blend, like cloves, cardamom, star anise and even black pepper. Be creative!

    How to Make Homemade Apple Pie Spice

    This fragrant fall spice blend is so easy to make. I can usually have everything mixed up and ready to go in 5 minutes or less…

    1. Start by measuring out the ground cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger and any other spices in a small mixing bowl.
    2. Whisk everything together in the small bowl until well combined. That’s it!
    2 step photo collage showing how to make apple pie spice recipe

    This recipe makes a great 1:1 substitute for store bought apple pie spice. If a recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of apple pie spice, you’ll use 2 teaspoons of homemade apple pie spice! It’s pretty strong, so you shouldn’t have to use too much apple pie spice.

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ’s

    How do you store homemade apple pie spice?

    I recommend storing your homemade spice blends in an airtight container or small glass jar. Whatever you use, make sure it’s sealed tight, and then store it somewhere cool, dry and out of direct sunlight in a dark place for up to 6 months. We store all of ours in a dedicated spice cabinet in the kitchen. Another great way to store them is super handy spice rack.

    Can you freeze apple pie spice?

    Unfortunately, apple pie spice does not freeze well. The freezing temperatures will destroy the flavor of many spices, so I really just recommend storing them at room temperature.

    DIY apple pie spice in a small glass bowl next to a brown checkerboard cloth on a bright white countertop

    More Fall Recipes Using Apple Pie Spice

    Here are some recipes to which you can add your own apple pie spice blend…

    If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

    Apple Pie Spice Recipe

    Easy homemade apple pie spice recipe from scratch in 5 minutes or less. Warm and fragrant spice mix for all your favorite fall recipes!

    • Small Mixing Bowl
    • Whisk
    • 1/4 cup Ground Cinnamon
    • 2 teaspoons Ground Nutmeg
    • 1 teaspoon Ground Allspice
    • 1 teaspoon Ground Ginger

    1. Start by measuring out the ground cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger and any other spices in a small mixing bowl.

    2. Whisk everything together until well combined. That's it!

    3. Store your homemade apple pie spice in an airtight container in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. It should keep for up to 6 months.

    *You can double, triple or even quadruple it to make as big of a batch as you need. 

    Can you freeze homemade apple pie spice?

    Unfortunately, apple pie spice does not freeze well. The freezing temperatures will destroy the flavor of many spices, so I only recommend storing them at room temperature.

    apple recipes, Christmas, Dessert, Desserts, Fall, fall recipes, Pies & Pastries, Thanksgiving
    American, Christmas, Dessert, desserts, Pie, Thanksgiving
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  • Easy Apple Cheese and Crackers Snacks

    Easy Apple Cheese and Crackers Snacks

    Top crackers with apple slices and cheddar to make apple cheese and crackers, an easy snack and appetizer idea both grown-ups and kids will love! They’re the perfect bite-sized finger food for your next party or get together with friends.

    I love the sweet and salty blend the flavors of this snack bring to the table. Who knew such a simple snack could be so good?

    apple cheese and crackers stacked on wooden cutting board

    Why You’ll Love This Appetizer Too

    • They’re super easy to make; you can throw them together in minutes.
    • You only need 4 ingredients to make them.
    • They’re the perfect bite-sized finger food for a sweet and salty snack, or rather a simple appetizer you can serve at a party or get together.

    Ingredient Notes

    • Ritz Crackers – You can also use gluten-free entertainment crackers.
    • Cheddar Cheese – While I prefer extra sharp cheddar, you can switch this up and try other types of cheese, as well. Cheddar, Brie, and smoked cheddar pair well with a sweeter apple; another cheese like Gouda or goat cheese might pair better with a more tart apple.
    • Apples – When it comes to the best kind of apples, I prefer to use whatever I can get instore… Some of my favorites are Honeycrisp, Ambrosia, and JonaGold. You can also use Gala, Fuji, or Granny Smith. Granny Smith is going to be really tart; Pink Lady is a combination of sweet and tart.
    • Cream Cheese

    How to Make Apple Cheese and Crackers

    Before you put these tasty snacks together, be sure to slice up the apples and cheese. Then just do this…

    1. Layer a slice of cheddar cheese, a thin slice of apple, and about a teaspoon of cream cheese between 2 Ritz crackers, forming a crispy sweet and salty sandwich.
    stacking apple slice and cheddar with cream cheese on Ritz crackers
    1. Repeat the steps above with the rest of the Ritz crackers, and place all the apple cheese and crackers on a serving platter for serving.
    making cheese and crackers with apples stack on wooden cutting board

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ’s

    Can I make this snack ahead of time?

    Because it’s such a quick snack to make, I wouldn’t recommend making it ahead of time; I’d make it right before serving, because you risk the apples turning brown and not looking very pretty or edible. Now you can slice up the cheese ahead of time, or buy pre-sliced cheese that’s ready to go, to make it even quicker.

    How should I store leftovers?

    I’d store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge; the cream cheese, cheese, and apples need to be refrigerated.

    cheddar apple crackers on wooden cutting board

    More Easy Snack Recipes

    If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

    Apple Cheese and Crackers

    Top crackers with apple slices and cheddar to make apple cheese and crackers, an easy snack and appetizer idea grown-ups and kids will love!

    • 24 Ritz crackers
    • 12 slices cheddar cheese
    • 2 large apples (washed, peeled, and thinly sliced)
    • 4 tablespoons cream cheese

    1. Layer a slice of cheddar cheese, a thin slice of apple, and about a teaspoon of cream cheese between 2 Ritz crackers, forming a crispy sweet and salty sandwich.

    2. Repeat the steps above with the rest of the Ritz crackers, and place all the apple cheese and crackers on a serving platter for serving.

    Cheese – While I prefer extra sharp cheddar, you can switch this up and try other types of cheese, as well. Cheddar, Brie, and smoked cheddar pair well with a sweeter apple; another cheese like Gouda or goat cheese might pair better with a more tart apple.

    Apples – When it comes to the best kind of apples, I prefer to use whatever I can get instore… Some of my favorites are Honeycrisp, Ambrosia, and JonaGold. You can also use Gala, Fuji, or Granny Smith. Granny Smith is going to be really tart; Pink Lady is a combination of sweet and tart.

    Can I make this snack ahead of time?

    Because it’s such a quick snack to make, I wouldn’t recommend making it ahead of time; I’d make it right before serving, because you risk the apples turning brown and not looking very pretty or edible. Now you can slice up the cheese ahead of time, or buy pre-sliced cheese that’s ready to go, to make it even quicker.

    How should I store leftovers?

    I’d store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge; the cream cheese, cheese, and apples need to be refrigerated.

    Appetizers
    American
    apple cheese and crackers, apples and cheese, cheese and crackers
  • Dutch Apple Crumb Pie

    Dutch Apple Crumb Pie

    Learn how to make an easy Dutch apple crumb pie from scratch. Make it homemade with crumb-topped cinnamon spiced apples, baked in the best pie crust ever!

    Apple crumb pie is one dessert I make every fall and Thanksgiving, and I love to enjoy it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream (or cinnamon ice cream).

    slice of Dutch apple crumb pie with scoop of vanilla ice cream on top, on white plate with fork

    While apple pie and apple crisp without oats taste good any time of year, there’s something about going to the orchard when the air is just getting crisp outside, picking up a bushel of apples, and making all the apple recipes, including this apple pie with crumb topping.

    When it comes to apple pie, I love using the freshest apple I can possibly find. It adds so much more flavor into the pie than the average store-bought apple. Sometimes I also add a pinch of homemade apple pie spice for extra flavor.

    One of my favorite things about making apple crumble pie is the fact that you don’t have to add a top crust. While a top crust isn’t necessarily hard, Dutch apple pie topping is easier and quicker.

    This pie actually inspired one of my favorite personal-sized desserts with a crumb topping, stuffed pears.

    [mv_video jsonLd=”true” key=”mpz23bu2xndldymjij76″ ratio=”16:9″ thumbnail=”https://mediavine-res.cloudinary.com/v1633635033/rw31vugfpmxry0tjzyag.jpg” title=”Dutch Apple Crumb Pie”]

    What is Dutch Apple Pie?

    Dutch apple pie is easier than a traditional apple pie because it only involves a single pie crust. Instead of the second crust, the delicious apple pie filling is covered with a streusel topping that crumbles right over the apples.

    That streusel topping is made with butter, flour, and sugar.

    sliced apple crumb pie in glass Pyrex pie plate

    Why This Recipe Works

    • This is definitely my favorite apple pie recipe, not only because it’s easy to make, but also because it’s so delicious. If you’re a beginner pie baker, apple pie with streusel topping is definitely the best apple pie recipe to start with on your pie making journey. You can even make delicious baked cinnamon apples without the crust.
    • The combination of the cinnamon apple pie filling with the buttery streusel topping makes a pie that everyone will love.
    • The butter, combined with the sugar and brown sugar, give the topping a slightly crispy texture with every single bite.
    apple crumb pie ingredients on white marble countertop

    Ingredient Notes

    • Pie Crust – This is the perfect pie crust and my favorite crust to use. I usually make it gluten-free, but you can make it with regular all-purpose flour, as well. It’s a buttery crust that adds loads of flavor to your pie.
    • Apples – For any kind of apple crisp, cobbler, crumble, or pie, I love using seconds; seconds are imperfect apples you can often buy cheaper and in bulk at an orchard or farmer’s market. I prefer to use Jonathan apples or Jonagold apples. Jonagolds are a cross between Jonathans and Golden Delicious, and they are so sweet, tart, and crisp. Some more of the best apples to use for pie include Granny Smith apples, Golden Delicious, Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Cortland, and Northern Spy. According to Bob’s Red Mill, Northern Spy is a rare apple and hard to find; but if you love apple pie, it’s definitely one you may want to hunt down.
    • All-Purpose Flour – While I use a gluten-free flour, you can also use a regular all-purpose flour.
    • Lemon Juice – I prefer to use my favorite Minute Maid lemon juice, which you can find in the freezer juice section of the grocery store.

    How to Make Apple Crumb Pie

    There are 3 parts to this wonderful autumn dessert, including the crust, the apple pie filling, and the crumble topping. Let’s start with the crust.

    Make the Pie Crust…

    If you prefer a traditional roll-out crust, this pie crust is the way to go. If you want to keep it easy, try  making this no-roll pie crust or use a store bought pie crust.

    Make the Apple Pie Filling…

    1. Wash, core, peel, and thinly slice the apples, adding them to a large bowl. An apple peeler makes this process so much easier and quicker too.
    2. Melt the butter, and mix it into the prepared apples. Then add the sour cream, sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Mix together well.
    3. Take your pie crust out of the fridge, and pour the apple mixture into the pie shell.
    steps for how to make apple crumb pie, including mixing sliced apples with sugar, spices, and sour cream in mint green mixing bowl, then pouring apple pie filling into pie crust

    Make the Dutch Apple Pie Topping…

    1. Add flour, brown sugar, and sugar to a small mixing bowl, and mix together well.
    2. Slice cold butter into the dry ingredients.
    3. Then mix together with a pastry blender. It will form into a nice crumbly mixture.
    4. Top off your pie with the crumble topping, making sure you crumble it all up around the edge, as well.
    how to make Dutch apple pie topping, including mixing sugar and flour with cold butter, then crumbling over apple pie

    How to Bake Apple Pie…

    Place your pie plate on a baking sheet (a cookie sheet works just fine), and bake at 375° F for about an hour. And as I’ve recommended before, you can use a pie shield to keep your crust from getting too brown around the edges.

    Once your Dutch apple crumb pie is done, take it out of the oven, and allow it to cool on a wire rack. Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of homemade whipped cream.

    half eaten slice of apple pie with crumb topping, with scoop of vanilla ice cream on top, on white plate

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ’s

    How do you know when a Dutch apple pie is done?

    The crust and crumb topping will turn a nice golden brown. The apple pie filling will also be very bubbly, and the apples will soften; you can test them with a fork.

    How do I store it?

    You can make this pie in advance, but I wouldn’t recommend more than a day ahead of time, unless you’re going to freeze the pie. To store the pie, I recommend covering it well and placing it in the refrigerator. You can warm it up the next day at a low temperature in the oven, or in the microwave.

    Can you freeze apple pie?

    Yes, you can freeze this deep dish apple crumb pie. Just make sure it’s covered well so it doesn’t get freezer burn. You may also want to make it in a pie dish you don’t plan to use again before you take the pie out of the freezer; or use a disposable aluminum pie plate. When you’re ready to eat it, be sure to allow plenty of time to thaw before serving.

    Can I make this pie gluten-free?

    You can absolutely make it gluten-free by substituting a good gluten-free flour (<— this one’s my favorite) for the all-purpose flour. And then also make the pie crust with gluten-free flour. Also, be sure to check labels on all of the ingredients, just to be safe, especially the spices you use, because they can be a risk for cross-contamination.

    slice of apple pie with streusel topping on white plate with fork

    MORE FAMILY FAVORITE PIE RECIPES:

    Find more holiday dessert recipes on my list of Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes.

    If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

    Dutch Apple Crumb Pie

    How to make an easy Dutch apple crumb pie from scratch. Homemade with crumb-topped cinnamon spiced apples, baked in the best pie crust ever!

    • Johnny apple peeler
    • Nested Mixing Bowls
    • Pastry Blender
    • Glass Pie Plate
    • Baking Sheet
    • Pie Shield
    • Pie Server
    • 1 single pie crust

    Apple Pie Filling:

    • 6 cups apples (sliced)
    • 2 tablespoons salted butter
    • 2 tablespoons sour cream
    • 1/4 cup cane sugar
    • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
    • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • 3 teaspoons lemon juice

    Crumb Topping:

    • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
    • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
    • 1/4 cup cane sugar
    • 1/4 cup salted butter (sliced cold)
    1. Make a single pie crust and have it ready to go beforehand.

    2. Pre-heat your oven to 375° F.

    Apple Pie Filling:

    1. Wash, core, peel, and thinly slice the apples, adding them to a large bowl.

    2. Melt the butter, and mix it into the prepared apples.

    3. Then add the sour cream, sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Mix together well.

    4. Pour the apple pie filling into the pie shell.

    Crumb Topping:

    1. Mix together the flour, brown sugar, and sugar.

    2. Then slice cold butter into the dry ingredients, and mix together with a pastry blender. It will form into a nice crumbly mixture.

    3. Top off your pie with the crumble topping, making sure you crumble it all up around the edge, as well.

    4. Place your pie plate on a baking sheet, and bake at 375° F for about 1 hour, possibly a little longer depending on whether or not your crust is done.

    5. Once the pie is done, take it out of the oven, and allow it to cool on a wire rack, 'til you're ready to slice it up and serve it.

    *You can make this pie gluten-free by substituting a good gluten-free flour (<— this one’s my favorite) for the all-purpose flour. And then also make the pie crust with gluten-free flour. Also, be sure to check labels on any of the above ingredients, just to be safe, especially the spices you use.

    *An easy way to prep the apples is to use an apple peeler. It just makes the process so much quicker and easier.

    How do you know when a Dutch apple pie is done?

    The crust and crumb topping will turn a nice golden brown. The apple pie filling will also be very bubbly, and the apples will soften; you can test them with a fork.

    How do I store apple crumb pie?

    You can make this pie in advance, but I wouldn’t recommend more than a day ahead of time, unless you’re going to freeze the pie. To store the pie, I recommend covering it well and placing it in the refrigerator. You can warm it up the next day at a low temperature in the oven, or in the microwave.

    Desserts, Pies & Pastries
    American
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  • Easy Instant Pot Applesauce in 30 Minutes or Less

    Easy Instant Pot Applesauce in 30 Minutes or Less

    Now it’s easier than ever to make homemade applesauce with an electric pressure cooker. This Instant Pot applesauce (with skins) has no added sugar, and it’s ready to eat in 15 minutes.

    The fact that it’s pressure cooked takes the work out of making applesauce because you don’t have to stand in front of a hot stove. Instead, just load everything up in the Instant Pot, push a couple buttons, and let it do the work for you.

    homemade Instant Pot applesauce in a Ball canning jar

    My boys love both applesauce and Instapot apple butter, and we eat quite a bit of it throughout the year. I especially like to keep it on hand for times when we’re sick; in a way, it’s a sort of comfort food too.

    It’s quite fulfilling to fill your pantry up with homemade canned foods that your family will actually eat. And when it’s easy to do, it’s a win win.

    [mv_video doNotAutoplayNorOptimizePlacement=”false” doNotOptimizePlacement=”false” jsonLd=”true” key=”feqiv3m4fb2wykmfijd8″ ratio=”16:9″ thumbnail=”https://mediavine-res.cloudinary.com/v1630362383/wfrf9ob81l8m4loh8gmj.jpg” title=”Easy Instant Pot Applesauce in 30 Minutes or Less” volume=”70″]

    Why Make This Recipe?

    I think you’ll love this no-peel applesauce because it’s…

    • Easy to make – Pressure cooker applesauce is made with 3 ingredients, and you just put everything in the Instant Pot and let it cook. That means no need to stand in front of the stove and stir; you can walk away and let the pressure cooker do the work.
    • No peeling required – While you do need to core and slice the apples up, there’s no need to peel off the skins, unless you just want to.
    • Budget-friendly – Let’s face it, good applesauce can be more expensive at the store. And it just doesn’t taste as good as homemade. You can make 5 to 6 pints of applesauce for less than $10, depending on the cost of your apples.
    ingredients for pressure cooker applesauce, including apples, lemon juice, and water

    Ingredient Notes

    The ingredients you need are simple, and you may already have them on hand.

    A bit of advice… I’m very partial to canning applesauce in the fall because it’s usually pretty easy to find seconds at a local orchard or farmer’s market. Buying seconds means you can buy a HUGE box of less-than-perfect apples for a lot less than normal cost, which is going to save you a ton of money.

    • Apples – When it comes to picking the type of apples you should use, I recommend apples that are both sweet and tart; I don’t add any sugar, so I want the unsweetened applesauce to taste really good. Some of the best apples for making applesauce include Jonathan, Jonagold, Braeburn, McIntosh, Winesap, Rome, Golden Delicious, Cortland, Fuji, Gala, and Ambrosia.
    • Lemon juice – I like to use a fresh lemon juice, either straight from a lemon or my favorite shortcut, Minute Maid lemon juice you can find in the freezer section of some grocery stores; I’ve been able to find it at my local Walmart. There are multiple reasons for adding lemon juice to applesauce, but it’s usually to help preserve or protect the color of your apples over time (making your applesauce stay pretty), and/or to make the applesauce more acidic for home canning. Wind fallen apples (including seconds) can have a lower acidity and a higher mold/bacteria count than umblemished apples.

    If you are one who loves to add the flavor of cinnamon to your sauce, you may also love my recipe for cinnamon applesauce.

    How to Make Instant Pot Applesauce

    You can make applesauce from the leftover apple mush you have left behind when you make fresh apple juice. But if you’re not making apple juice, here’s how to make a fresh batch of sauce in your pressure cooker.

    Keep in mind, you can make this recipe in any brand of electric pressure cooker you have, including the Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi, or Power Pressure Cooker XL.

    1. Wash, core, and slice the apples; I use my Johnny apple peeler to core and slice all at once. Cut out any bad spots, as well.
    2. Put the sliced apples in your Instant Pot.
    3. Sprinkle lemon juice over the apples.
    4. Then add water to the apples, as well. If you want to mix everything together, you can; but there’s no need to until after it all cooks.
    how to make applesauce in the Instant Pot, including slicing apples with Johnny apple peeler, putting apples in Instant Pot, then adding lemon juice and water
    1. Put the lid in place on the Instant Pot. Press Manual or Pressure Cook for 10 minutes. When it’s finished cooking, allow the pressure cooker to do a natural release.
    1. Purée the mixture with an immersion blender, standing blender, or food mill; or if you want a chunky applesauce, you can mash the apples with a potato masher. It’s up to you how you prefer the texture and consistency.
    how to make pressure cooker applesauce in Ninja Foodi, then mashing cooked apples with immersion blender

    Freezing Instructions:

    My mom used to freeze a LOT of the applesauce she made when we were kids growing up. She’d keep freezer safe plastic containers just for storing things like her homemade applesauce.

    1. When your applesauce has cooked, allow it to cool to room temperature.
    2. Then just ladle or pour it into freezer safe containers that seal; leave 1/2 inch headroom at the top, to allow for expansion as it freezes.
    3. Label the containers, and place them in the freezer.

    Frozen applesauce should keep for about a year.

    Canning Instructions:

    I prefer water bath canning applesauce.

    1. While your applesauce is cooking, wash pint jars in hot soapy water, rinse, and keep warm. We like to place ours on a baking sheet in a lower temp oven to stay hot.
    2. Once you’ve mashed up your sauce, promptly ladle or pour it into the hot jars you prepared ahead of time. Be sure to leave about a 1/2-inch gap at the top of each jar.
    pouring homemade applesauce into canning jars with yellow canning funnel
    1. Wipe the rim of each jar with a wet towel or rag, place the lid on, and tighten the band.
    2. Then place the hot jars down in a boiling hot water bath canner with 1-2 inches of water over the jars, and process those jars in the hot water bath for about 20 minutes.
    canning applesauce in water bath canner

    Home canned applesauce should last at least 1 year. If you choose to can applesauce, Ball has wonderful Canning Guides to guide you through the process. You can also consult the Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving.

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ’s

    Can you overcook applesauce?

    Yes, actually, you can; and overcooking it will lose a lot of the flavor. That’s why making it in the Instant Pot is better because it cooks for a set amount of time with no guesswork, and pressure cooking is a wonderful way to preserve the flavors of whatever food you’re cooking.

    How should I store it?

    If you’re not freezing or canning your applesauce, it should be kept in the refrigerator. It’ll keep in the fridge for about 5 to 7 days.

    What are some ways I can use applesauce?

    We love to eat applesauce on buttered toast. It’s also delicious on pancakes, especially apple cinnamon pancakes. You can enjoy it with oatmeal, cottage cheese, and pork chops. And you can use it when you’re baking… For example, you can use it to make apple bundt cake; or you can sometimes use it as a substitute for egg, butter, oil, or sugar, depending on the recipe. Momables shares an ingredient substitution list for baking that explains how to sub applesauce in; and Craftsy has a really good explanation, as well, as to how and when to substitute applesauce for certain ingredients when you’re baking.

    white bowl of pressure cooker applesauce

    More Recipes for Fresh Apples:

    You can also learn how to use your Instant Pot with our Instant Pot Quick Start Guide, filled with practical tips, Instant Pot recipes, accessory ideas, and more!

    You’ll find a longer recipe tutorial in the Instant Pot applesauce recipe card below.

    If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

    Instant Pot Applesauce

    How to make the best homemade Instant Pot applesauce with skins and no added sugar. Easy pressure cooker recipe, ready to eat in 30 minutes or less.

    • Instant Pot
    • Ninja Foodi
    • Johnny apple peeler
    • Immersion blender
    • Pint jars
    • Hot Water Bath Canner
    • Canning Funnel
    • Jar Lifter
    • 6 pounds apples (unpeeled)
    • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
    • 1 cup water

    1. Wash, core, and slice the apples; I use my Johnny apple peeler to core and slice all at once. Cut out any bad spots, as well.

    2. Put the sliced apples in your Instant Pot.

    3. Sprinkle lemon juice over the apples.

    4. Then add water to the apples, as well. If you want to mix everything together, you can; but there’s no need to until after it all cooks.

    5. Put the lid in place on the Instant Pot. Press Manual or Pressure Cook for 10 minutes. When it’s finished cooking, allow the pressure cooker to do a natural release.

    6. Purée the mixture with an immersion blender, standing blender, or food mill; or if you want a chunky applesauce, you can mash the apples with a potato masher. It’s up to you how you prefer the texture and consistency.

    7. If you're not freezing or canning your applesauce, it should be kept in the refrigerator. It'll keep in the fridge for about 5 to 7 days.

    Freezing Instructions:

    1. When your applesauce has cooked, allow it to cool to room temperature.

    2. Then just ladle or pour it into freezer safe containers that seal; leave 1/2 inch headroom at the top, to allow for expansion as it freezes.

    3. Label the containers, and place them in the freezer.

    Canning Instructions:

    1. While your applesauce is cooking, wash pint jars in hot soapy water, rinse, and keep warm. We like to place ours on a baking sheet in a lower temp oven to stay hot.

    2. Once you've mashed up your sauce, promptly ladle or pour it into the hot jars. Be sure to leave about a 1/2-inch gap at the top of each jar.

    3. Wipe the rim of each jar with a wet towel or rag, place the lid on, and tighten the band.

    4. Then place the hot jars in a boiling hot water bath canner with 1-2 inches of water over the jars, and process those jars in the hot water bath for about 20 minutes.

    5. Allow your jars to rest for at least 24 hours, but be sure to check every lid to make sure it's sealed shortly after canning.

    6. Before moving to the pantry, write what it is and the year on the lid, so you know when you made it.

    *When it comes to picking the type of apples you should use, I recommend apples that are both sweet and tart; I don’t add any sugar, so I want the unsweetened applesauce to taste really good. Some of the best apples for making applesauce include Jonathan, Jonagold, Braeburn, McIntosh, Winesap, Rome, Golden Delicious, Cortland, Fuji, Gala, and Ambrosia.

    Canning & Freezing, Sauces & Dressings
    American
    applesauce in the instant pot, canning applesauce, how to make applesauce, Instant Pot applesauce, instant pot applesauce no sugar, instant pot applesauce with skins, no peel applesauce, pressure cooker applesauce
  • Homemade Apple Jelly Recipe without Pectin

    Homemade Apple Jelly Recipe without Pectin

    It’s really easy to make a delicious apple jelly recipe everyone will love with just 3 simple ingredients. I especially love that this easy home canning recipe needs no added pectin!

    My boys love a good fruit spread in the mornings with breakfast, whether we’re eating toast or biscuits. We’ve made pressure cooker apple butter for a long time now, and this apple jelly recipe without pectin has become another family-favorite breakfast addition.

    small wooden spoon in half pint jar of apple jelly recipe with Gala apples

    This recipe for apple jelly reminds me of my sister, because her version was the first I’d ever tasted in my then young life. I’m pretty sure she made her apple jelly from juice too; I just remember it tasting so delicious.

    Why You’ll Love Making This Apple Jelly Recipe without Pectin

    I think you’ll love this homemade apple jelly because it’s…

    • Easy to make – With only 3 ingredients, it only requires a little bit of cook time. It’s just a matter of mixing and stirring while it heats.
    • No need to peel or core any apples – Instead of apples, you use apple juice for this recipe. You can either make homemade apple juice; or you can use store-bought juice, though you may need to add a little bit of pectin to store-bought juice.
    • Budget-friendly – Let’s face it, good jelly is expensive at the store. You can make 4 to 6 jelly jars (or half-pints) of this homemade jelly for less than $10.

    What’s the Difference Between Apple Butter and Apple Jelly?

    Basically, jelly is clear and made from juice.

    Apple butter is more like jam and made with actual apples vs. juice. It’s not clear and also has various spices like cloves and nutmeg for added flavors.

    Ingredients and Substitutions Notes

    3 ingredients for apple jelly recipe without pectin, including apple juice, lemon juice, and sugar on white marble countertop

    The ingredients you need are simple, and you may already have them in your pantry. If you choose to juice your own apples, that may require a quick trip to the orchard or farmer’s market.

    • Apple juice – Again, you can make this homemade with fresh apples, or you can use store bought juice. If making apple juice, I recommend a sweeter apple like Gala, Honeycrisp, Fuji, Yellow Delicious, Rome, Jonagold, or Pink Lady. You’ll need about 5 pounds of apples to get enough juice to make jelly.
    • Lemon juice – I like to use a fresh lemon juice, either straight from a lemon or my favorite shortcut… Minute Maid lemon juice you can find in the freezer section of some grocery stores; I’ve been able to find it at my local Walmart.

    How to Make Apple Jelly

    The process of making apple jelly is actually really easy, especially if your juice is already made and ready to go.

    1. Mix together the apple juice, lemon juice, and sugar in a stock pot. Then bring the mixture to a boil, constantly stirring. Continue to cook the mixture, constantly stirring, until the mixture reaches a temperature of 220° with a candy thermometer.
    cooking apple jelly in a stock pot with a whisk
    1. Remove from the heat, and promptly ladle or pour into clean and sanitized/sterilized jelly jars for canning or freezing. Be sure to leave about a 1/2-inch gap at the top of each jar.
    pouring cooked apple jelly from juice into half pint jelly jars for canning, using yellow canning funnel
    1. Wipe the rim of each jar with a wet towel or rag, place the lid on, and tighten the band. At this point, you can either can the apple jelly or freeze it. I prefer water bath canning apple jelly, where I place the hot jars down in a boiling hot water bath canner with 1-2 inches of water over the jars. Then we process those jars in the hot water bath for about 10 to 15 minutes.
    water bath canning apple jelly in black water bath canner

    If you choose to can it, Ball has wonderful Canning Guides to guide you through the process. You can also consult the Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving.

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ’s

    Careful… If the jelly hasn’t begun to set or thicken once it’s reached 220° F, you may need to cook it just a little bit longer. Whatever you do, do not cook it too long, or it will end up like our first batch… A sticky, gooey apple taffy mess that eventually turns into a slab of apple rock. Believe me, you don’t want that.

    How long does apple jelly take to set?

    Time to set up really depends on a number of factors, including the type of stove you’re using to cook the jelly. It will likely take a good 30 to 45 minutes, maybe longer for your jelly to set. And even as you remove it from the stove, it won’t be completely set; in fact, it will be more like liquid. As it sits in the jars and begins to cool, the jelly will firm up and set even more. That’s why it’s important to put it in jars right away.

    How long will jelly keep in the pantry?

    Most sources say that pantry stored (and canned) jam and jelly can last 1 to 2 years. Freezer jam is a bit less with a freezer life of about 6 months. Shelf Life Advice has a helpful chart with the life span of a jar of jelly.

    Why may store-bought juice need added pectin?

    Pectin occurs naturally in fruits like berries and apples. When that pectin is cooked with sugar, it can thicken, forming the gel that makes jam and jelly. Apples have a very good amount of natural pectin, especially when you cook the peelings, cores, and all to make your juice. Store bought juice may not have all the natural pectin you’ll get from a good homemade apple juice made by cooking the whole apple.

    What to Eat with Apple Jelly

    Apple jelly is so delicious served on homemade biscuits and crescent dinner rolls and toast with butter. It’s also a welcome addition to a slice of buttermilk cornbread.

    homemade apple jelly on toast on white flowered plate

    More Homemade Jams and Jellies and Sauces You’ll Love:

    If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

    Homemade Apple Jelly Recipe without Pectin

    How to make an apple jelly recipe everyone will love with 3 simple ingredients. Easy home canning recipe with no added pectin!

    • Stock Pot
    • Candy Thermometer
    • Canning Funnel
    • Half-Pint Jelly Jars
    • Hot Water Bath Canner
    • Jar Lifter
    • Dissolvable Canning Jar Labels
    • 4 cups apple juice*
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
    • 3 cups sugar
    1. Mix together the apple juice, lemon juice, and sugar in a stock pot.
    2. Bring the mixture to a boil, constantly stirring.

    3. Continue to cook the mixture, constantly stirring, until the mixture reaches a temperature of 220° with a candy thermometer. If the jelly hasn't begun to gel once it's reached 220°, you may need to cook it just a little bit longer.*

    4. Remove the jelly from the heat, and promptly ladle or pour into clean and sanitized/sterilized jars for canning or freezing. Be sure to leave about a 1/2-inch gap at the top of each jar.

    5. Wipe the rim of each jar with a wet towel or rag, place the lid on, and tighten the band.

    6. At this point, you can either can the apple jelly or freeze it. I prefer water bath canning apple jelly, where I place the hot jars down in a boiling hot water bath canner with 1-2 inches of water over the jars. Then we process those jars in the hot water bath for about 10 to 15 minutes.

    7. Once canned, allow your jelly to sit undisturbed for 24 hours before labeling and storing in your pantry.

    *You can buy store bought juice to make apple jelly, but you may need to add a little pectin to it if it’s not a good quality juice. Some store bought juice may not have all the natural apple pectin you’ll get from a good homemade apple juice made by cooking the whole apple.

    *It will likely take a good 30 to 45 minutes, maybe longer for your jelly to thicken or set. And even as you remove it from the stove, it won’t be completely set. Whatever you do, do not cook it too long, or it will end up like our first batch… A sticky, gooey apple taffy mess that eventually turns into a slab of apple rock.

    How long will jelly keep in the pantry?

    Most sources say that pantry stored (and canned) jam and jelly can last 1 to 2 years. Freezer jam is a bit less with a freezer life of about 6 months.

    Canning & Freezing, jams and jellies
    American
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  • Easy Stovetop Apple Butter Recipe the Old Fashioned Way

    Easy Stovetop Apple Butter Recipe the Old Fashioned Way

    This is absolutely my favorite stovetop apple butter recipe made the old fashioned way with fresh, crisp apples and delicious cinnamon spice. It’s my go to recipe every apple season, and while I love to can it, I include both freezing and canning instructions for whichever works best for you.

    Just a bit ago, I gave you my favorite CrockPot apple butter recipe. I’ve had a lot of readers ask for a stovetop version of both that and my quick Instant Pot apple butter recipe. So, drumroll… I leave here my best apple butter recipe, stovetop edition.

    blue Dutch oven with old-fashioned stovetop apple butter recipe and wooden spoon

    That’s right; you don’t need any special appliances to make this more traditional apple butter recipe. All you need is your stove and a stock pot or Dutch oven.

    Now as I’ve mentioned before, I do highly recommend an apple peeler for easy stovetop apple butter. It really does make the job of coring, peeling, and slicing apples so much quicker and easier.

    When I make homemade apple butter, I also like to add a secret ingredient that really adds to the flavor and gives it an even cozier feel than it already has.

    What’s the Difference Between Apple Butter and Applesauce?

    This old fashioned apple butter recipe is a mixture of apples and spices, with a texture that’s very similar to canned applesauce and Instant Pot cinnamon applesauce; but the taste is a little sweeter, a little darker, and filled with cinnamon spice flavors.

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    You are going to love this easy stovetop apple butter because it…

    • Is super easy to make – Coring, peeling (if you choose to peel the apples), and slicing the apples is a job made much easier and quicker with a Johnny apple peeler. Then it’s just a matter of mixing everything together in a Dutch oven and letting it simmer, ’til it’s ready to mash up with a blender. Easy peasy.
    • Doesn’t require a ton of stirring – Once you get it cooking, you can just stir occasionally as it simmers. There’s no need to stand over the stove with this recipe.
    • Smells like heaven – I always know it’s fall when the aroma of apple butter lingers in the air. It’s such a cozy, comforting scent… Why have they not made an apple butter candle yet?
    • Tastes downright heavenly – I like to use spices like nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and cinnamon to really give it a delicious flavor. I also add my favorite secret ingredient (keep reading to find out what it is).
    • Is budget-friendly – Depending where you buy your apples and your spices, you can make a batch of 5-6 half-pints or 2-3 pints for less than $10. A bit of advice… I’m very partial to canning apple butter in the fall because it’s usually pretty easy to find apple seconds at a local orchard or farmer’s market. Buying seconds means you can buy a HUGE box of less-than-perfect apples for a lot less than normal cost, which is going to save you a ton of money. I also like to buy spices in bulk at our local grocery discount store and sometimes thru Amazon; I especially love Badia spices and seasonings. When you compare the cost of making homemade to store bought apple butter, you’re saving money. Plus homemade is just better all ’round. You can even use this DIY apple pie spice instead!
    ingredients for stovetop apple butter recipe on white marble countertop

    Ingredients and Substitutions Notes:

    • Fresh apples – When it comes to picking the kind of apples to use, I recommend apples that are both sweet and tart to really give it a flavor kick. Some of the best apples for making apple butter include Jonathan, Jonagold, Braeburn, McIntosh Red, Winesap, Cortland, Fuji, and Gala. Jonathan and Jonagold are two of my favorites; I’ve also combined Fuji with Gala to make a really delicious apple butter.
    • Molasses – I prefer to use just regular molasses over blackstrap molasses.
    • Lemon juice – I prefer to use a fresh lemon juice, either straight from a lemon or my favorite shortcut, Minute Maid lemon juice you can find in the freezer section of some grocery stores; I’ve been able to find it at my local Walmart. There are multiple reasons for adding lemon juice to apple butter, but it’s usually to help preserve or protect the color of your apples over time (making your apple butter stay pretty), and/or to make the apple butter more acidic for home canning. Wind fallen apples (including seconds) can have a lower acidity and a higher mold/bacteria count than umblemished apples.
    • Vanilla extract – This is my secret ingredient, and you’ll understand why I add it when you take your first bite. It’s so good!

    How to Make This Stovetop Apple Butter Recipe

    Before starting anything, it’s important to wash your apples. I always soak mine in a vinegar/water bath for at least 10 minutes, then rinse. You’ll need about 4 pounds of apples.

    It’s also important to prep your jars for canning or freezing. That means washing, sterilizing, etc.

    Follow These Steps to Make This Apple Butter Recipe, Stovetop Edition

    1. Core, peel, and slice the apples; again, an apple peeler for apple butter makes this step so easy. Cut out any worm holes or bad spots, as well. Note: While I do leave the peeling on when making applesauce, and you can do that for apple butter too, I usually choose not to for this recipe.
    Johnny apple peeler for peeling, coring, and slicing apples on white countertop
    1. Put the sliced apples in your Dutch oven pan.
    peeled and sliced apples for apple butter in blue Dutch oven
    1. Add molasses, sugar, brown sugar, spices, lemon juice, and vanilla extract to the apples.
    adding molasses, cinnamon, sugar, brown sugar, and spices to sliced apples in blue Dutch oven
    1. Stir everything together well.
    stirring apple butter ingredients in blue Dutch oven with wooden spoon
    1. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat; then reduce the heat to low and simmer, with the lid on the Dutch oven, for about an hour, or ’til the apples are softened and tender. How long it needs to cook will depend on the type and texture of your apples. If using a harder, crisper apple, it may take longer.
    cooking traditional apple butter recipe in blue Dutch oven with wooden spoon
    1. Remove the lid, turn off the heat, and remove your Dutch oven from the stove. Allow the apple butter to cool for 5 to 10 minutes.
    2. Then using an immersion blender, blend the apples into smooth apple butter, or ’til you reach the consistency/texture you want. If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can use a food processor, or for a chunkier texture, a potato masher.
    blending stovetop apple butter in blue Dutch oven with immersion blender

    Freezing Instructions:

    I stored apple butter in the freezer quite a bit before I learned how to can it, so it works just fine without any worries. And frozen apple butter should keep for at least a year.

    1. When your apple butter has cooked, allow it to cool to room temperature.
    2. Then just ladle or pour it into freezer safe containers that seal; leave 1/2 inch headroom at the top, to allow for expansion as it freezes.
    3. Label the containers, and place them in the freezer.

    Canning Instructions:

    I prefer water bath canning apple butter. Canned apple butter should keep for 1-2 years in the pantry.

    1. While your apple butter is cooking, wash half-pint jars (jelly jars) or pint jars in hot soapy water, rinse, and keep warm. We like to place ours on a baking sheet in a lower temp oven to stay hot.
    2. Once you’ve mashed up the apples, promptly ladle or pour the resulting apple butter mixture into the hot jars you prepared ahead of time. This is where a funnel pitcher comes in super handy. Be sure to leave about a 1/2-inch gap at the top of each jar.
    pouring easy stovetop apple butter from funnel pitcher into jelly jar using red jar funnel and funnel pitcher
    1. Wipe the rim of each jar with a wet towel or rag, place the lid on, and tighten the band.
    2. Then place the hot jars down in a boiling hot water bath canner with 1-2 inches of water over the jars, and process those jars in the hot water bath for about 20 minutes.
    hot water bath canning jars of apple butter in water bath canner
    1. Allow your jars to rest for at least 24 hours, but be sure to check every lid to make sure it’s sealed shortly after canning.
    2. Before moving to the pantry, write what it is and the year on the lid, so you know when you made it. There are plenty of options for pretty jar labels for apple butter, and you can even turn your home canned apple butter into holiday gifts or hostess gifts.

    If you choose to can it, Ball has wonderful Canning Guides to guide you through the process. You can also consult the Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving.

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ’s

    How do you make homemade apple butter thicker?

    After blending the apples into apple butter, you can place the apple butter back on low heat on the stove, and cook uncovered for 30 minutes to 1 hour if you want it to thicken up more. While I have never had to do this, it’s a good way to make homemade apple butter thicker.

    How should I store it?

    If you’re not freezing or canning your apple butter, it should be kept in the refrigerator. It should keep in the fridge for about 2-3 months.

    What are some ways I can use apple butter?

    I really enjoy apple butter on my toast in the mornings with breakfast. It’s also really delicious on Grandma’s biscuits and Grandma’s dinner rolls. And I especially love making my soda scones recipe and adding a dollop of apple butter on my buttered scone. So good! My friend Heather actually adds apple butter to the meatloaf in her meatloaf sandwich recipe, and I want to try this; it sounds so delicious.

    spoonful of easy old fashioned stovetop apple butter over jelly jar with drips of apple butter on rim

    MORE APPLE RECIPES:

    If you love apple recipes, you’re going to love these too…

    If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

    Stovetop Apple Butter Recipe

    How to make the best stovetop apple butter recipe the old fashioned way with crisp apples and delicious spices. Easy freezing and canning instructions included.

    • Johnny apple peeler
    • Dutch oven
    • Immersion blender
    • Funnel pitcher
    • Canning Funnel
    • Pint jars
    • Jar Lifter
    • Hot Water Bath Canner
    • 4 pounds apples
    • 1/2 cup water
    • 1/4 cup molasses
    • 1/2 cup cane sugar
    • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    1. Before starting anything, it’s important to wash your apples. I always soak mine in a vinegar/water bath for at least 10 minutes, then rinse. It’s also important to prep your jars for canning or freezing. So, that means washing, sterilizing, etc.

    2. Core, peel, and slice the apples; again, an apple peeler for apple butter makes this step so easy. Cut out any worm holes or bad spots, as well.

    3. Put the sliced apples in your Dutch oven pan.

    4. Add molasses, sugar, brown sugar, spices, lemon juice, and vanilla extract to the apples.
    5. Stir everything together well.

    6. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat; then reduce the heat to low and simmer, with the lid on the Dutch oven, for about an hour, or 'til the apples are softened and tender.

    7. Remove the lid, turn off the heat, and remove your Dutch oven from the stove. Allow the apple butter to cool for 5 to 10 minutes.

    8. Then using an immersion blender or standing blender, blend the apples into smooth apple butter, or 'til you reach the consistency/texture you want.

    Freezing Instructions:

    1. When your apple butter has cooked, allow it to cool to room temperature.

    2. Then just ladle or pour it into freezer safe containers that seal; leave 1/2 inch headroom at the top, to allow for expansion as it freezes.

    3. Label the containers, and place them in the freezer.

    Canning Instructions:

    1. While your apple butter is cooking, wash half-pint jars (jelly jars) or pint jars in hot soapy water, rinse, and keep warm. We like to place ours on a baking sheet in a lower temp oven to stay hot.

    2. Once you've mashed up the apples, promptly ladle or pour the resulting apple butter mixture into the hot jars you prepared ahead of time. This is where a funnel pitcher comes in super handy. Be sure to leave about a 1/2-inch gap at the top of each jar.

    3. Wipe the rim of each jar with a wet towel or rag, place the lid on, and tighten the band.

    4. Then place the hot jars down in a boiling hot water bath canner with 1-2 inches of water over the jars, and process those jars in the hot water bath for about 20 minutes.

    5. Allow your jars to rest for at least 24 hours, but be sure to check every lid to make sure it's sealed shortly after canning.

    6. Before moving to the pantry, write what it is and the year on the lid, so you know when you made it.

    *How long it needs to cook will depend on the type and texture of your apples. If using a harder, crisper apple, it may take longer.

    *A hand blender (or immersion blender) really allows you to get the texture or consistency that you want. It makes it easy to purée the apples when they’ve fully cooked, without having to take them out and put them in a food processor or blender. You can just blend them up right in your cooking pot. If you like your apple butter a bit chunky, a potato masher will work well too.

    How do you make homemade apple butter thicker?

    After blending the apples into apple butter, you can place the apple butter back on low heat on the stove, and cook uncovered for 30 minutes to 1 hour if you want it to thicken up more. While I have never had to do this, it’s a good way to make homemade apple butter thicker.

    How should I store it, and how long will it last?

    • Canned apple butter will last about 2 years on the shelf.
    • Frozen apple butter will last about 1 year in the freezer.
    • In the fridge, apple butter will last about 2-3 months.
    apple recipes, Canning & Freezing
    American
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  • Easy Apple Crumble without Oats

    Easy Apple Crumble without Oats

    One of my favorite things to make every fall is this easy apple crumble without oats, straight from my grandma’s recipe box. It’s amazing how good sliced apples with a cinnamon brown sugar topping can taste.

    It seems Grandma collected recipes everywhere she went; and this apple crisp without oats was no exception.

    serving of apple crumble without oats, with scoop of vanilla ice cream on white plate with fork

    As with all my favorite apple recipes, I use my favorite apple peeler tool to help me make quick work of this beloved old-fashioned apple crumble. It cores, peels, and slices the apples all in one shot.

    The streusel topping comes together in about 5-10 minutes. Made with flour, sugar, and cinnamon, you can crumble it right on top of the apples and then bake. It’s so easy! Sometimes I even mix in a pinch of homemade apple pie spice.

    While my favorite Dutch apple crumb pie involves a little more work, it’s yet another family favorite dessert this time of year. You may also enjoy stuffed pears without oats.

    [mv_video jsonLd=”true” key=”xuvexg3ryrms3tlkfue4″ ratio=”16:9″ thumbnail=”https://mediavine-res.cloudinary.com/v1632781717/dabjdpj2wbhu7vtrk09j.jpg” title=”Easy Apple Crumble without Oats”]

    Why This Recipe Works

    • The apples alone are delicious, like warm baked cinnamon apples.
    • You don’t even need a crust for this apple crumble recipe, because you’ll crumble the crust right on top.
    • Then the butter allows that crust to melt down into the apples, giving a crispy flavorful kick to every single bite of this delicious dessert.
    ingredients for making apple crumble recipe on white marble countertop

    Ingredient Notes

    • Apples – For any kind of apple crisp, cobbler, crumble, or pie, I love using seconds; seconds are imperfect apples you can often buy cheaper and in bulk at an orchard or farmer’s market. I prefer to use Jonathan apples or Jonagold apples. Jonagolds are a cross between Jonathans and Golden Delicious, and they are so sweet, tart, and crisp. Some more of the best apples to use include Granny Smith apples, Golden Delicious, Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, and Northern Spy. According to Bob’s Red Mill, Northern Spy is a rare apple and hard to find; but if you love apple pie, it’s definitely one you may want to hunt down.
    • All-purpose flour – You can also make this with gluten-free flour.
    • Light brown sugar – I prefer to use light over dark because of the texture and slight fluffiness it gives to the topping.
    • Salted butter – You can also use unsalted butter, if preferred; but you may want to add a bit more salt to the topping if you do.

    How to Make Apple Crumble without Oats

    This apple crisp recipe without oats is so easy to make; it involves just a few steps…

    1. Core, peel, and slice the washed apples, and add them to a greased 9×13 casserole dish.
    2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, sugar, and brown sugar.
    3. Using a pastry blender, mix the dry ingredients with the unbeaten eggs and melted butter, forming a kind of crumble topping.
    4. Crumble the topping right over the apples.
    steps for how to make apple crumble without oats, including adding sliced apples to white baking dish, mixing dry ingredients together in mint green mixing bowl, blending eggs and melted butter with dry ingredients in mint green mixing bowl, and crumbling topping over apples in white casserole dish
    1. And that’s it. Just bake it uncovered for the first 20 minutes (at 425° F); it should be a nice golden brown. Then cover it with foil, and bake another 10 to 15 minutes, ’til the apples are tender.
    2. Once you’ve removed it from the oven, allow it to cool for about 15 minutes before serving.
    easy apple crumble baked in white baking dish and scooped

    How to Serve Apple Crisp

    Serving apple crumble with vanilla ice cream is the absolute best! You can serve it with whipped cream too, but personally, I go for the ice cream every time.

    While it’s delicious when served warm from the oven, especially with a nice warm mug of coffee, it’s equally as delicious when it’s cold. So no worries if you’re making this dessert in advance.

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ’s

    Is there a difference between apple crisp and apple crumble?

    Here in the States, the terms can be used interchangeably. However, most of the time a crisp involves oats; not always, but most of the time. Grandma called this an apple crisp. I’m mostly calling it an apple crumble because of the brown sugar cookie-like crisp topping and no oats. Crumble is what comes to my mind when I think about this dessert.

    Can I make it gluten-free?

    Yes, you most definitely can; in fact, I use my favorite gluten-free flour to make this recipe. Just make sure all of your other ingredients are gluten-free too.

    How should I store it?

    We usually let apple crumble sit out on the counter for 2-3 days just fine. Any longer, and you may want to throw it in the refrigerator. You can also freeze this dessert, baked or unbaked. Just be sure to store it in an airtight container or baking dish, so it doesn’t get freezer burn.

    Why is my apple crumble dry?

    This particular crumble is so moist and delicious. However, I suppose it could depend on the apples you use and the cook time. It could also depend on the amount of butter you use in the recipe. 8 tablespoons seems to be the right amount of butter to give this topping the right amount of crispness and moisture that blends right in with the apples.

    Why is my crumble topping not crispy?

    This has to do with ingredient quantities. You may not have just the right ratio of flour, butter, or sugar. The light brown sugar also plays a role in giving it a crunchier texture.

    apple crisp without oats served on white plate with vanilla ice cream on top

    MORE APPLE DESSERTS AND RECIPES:

    If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

    Apple Crumble without Oats

    How to make an easy homemade apple crumble without oats, from Grandma's recipe box. Sliced apples with the best cinnamon brown sugar topping.

    • Johnny apple peeler
    • 9×13 Baking Dish
    • Mixing Bowl
    • Whisk
    • Pastry Blender
    • 12 to 15 apples (cored, peeled, and sliced)
    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder
    • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1 cup cane sugar
    • 1 cup light brown sugar
    • 2 large eggs
    • 8 tablespoons salted butter (melted)
    1. Pre-heat the oven to 425° F.

    2. Core, peel, and slice the washed apples, and add them to a greased 9×13 baking dish.

    3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, sugar, and brown sugar.

    4. Using a pastry blender, mix the dry ingredients with the unbeaten eggs and melted butter, forming a kind of crumble topping.

    5. Crumble the topping right over the apples.

    6. Bake, uncovered, at 425° F for about 20 minutes; the crust should be a nice golden brown. Then cover with aluminum foil, and bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes, 'til the apples are tender.

    7. Once you’ve removed it from the oven, allow it to cool for about 15 minutes before serving.

    8. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a swirl of whipped cream.

    *You can also make this with gluten-free flour.

    How should I store it?

    We usually let apple crumble sit out on the counter for 2-3 days just fine. Any longer, and you may want to throw it in the refrigerator. You can also freeze this dessert, baked or unbaked. Just be sure to store it in an airtight container or baking dish, so it doesn’t get freezer burn.

    Desserts, Pies & Pastries
    American
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  • Easy CrockPot Apple Butter Recipe

    Easy CrockPot Apple Butter Recipe

    How to make homemade CrockPot apple butter filled with cinnamon spice flavors! Easy slow cooker recipe perfect for canning or freezing.

    Every year in August and September, I love to make apple butter. So far I’ve written an Instant Pot apple butter recipe; and now I’m sharing how to make apple butter in a CrockPot.

    While I normally like to wait for Jonathan or JonaGold seconds in the fall, I used a mix of Gala and Fuji for this batch, since it’s all I could find. And I have to say, they made a really delicious homemade apple butter. I’d go so far as to say it’s been my best batch yet.

    tiny wooden spoon in jar of CrockPot apple butter with apple butter dripping down side of jar

    There’s not a whole lot of work to this recipe, besides peeling and slicing the apples. And even that’s made easy with the apple peeler/slicer/corer I prefer to use; it makes the job a whole lot quicker and easier.

    I love eating slow cooker apple butter on my toast in the mornings at breakfast; it’s perfectly delicious on Grandma’s homemade biscuits too.

    If you’re wondering whether or not I’ve made a stovetop version of apple butter, fret no more. You now have your choice of how to make it, including a delicious stovetop apple butter.

    WHERE CAN I FIND THE ACTUAL RECIPE CARD?

    If you’d rather skip all of my apple butter making tips, important cooking info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the CrockPot apple butter recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.

    spreading homemade apple butter on toast with butter knife, on gray plate

    WONDERING, “WHAT IS APPLE BUTTER?” HERE’S THE ANSWER!

    According to Wikipedia, “Apple butter is a highly concentrated form of apple sauce produced by long, slow cooking of apples with cider or water to a point where the sugar in the apples caramelizes, turning the apple butter a deep brown.”

    Apple butter is a mixture of apples and spices, very similar to applesauce and cinnamon applesauce, but a little sweeter, a little darker, and filled with cinnamon spice flavors.

    For this recipe, we use spices like nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and cinnamon. You could also use homemade apple pie spice. And we put everything in the slow cooker and slow cook it for 6 to 8 hours.

    slow cooker apple butter in jelly jar with small wooden spoon

    INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED:

    Remember, all of the ingredient amounts you’ll need are in the printable recipe card below.

    KITCHEN TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT YOU’LL NEED:

    Apple Peeler/Corer/Slicer – I’m telling you, this tool is so worth every penny we spent at the thrift store, but I’d order one brand new too. My advice is to go with the one that clamps to your tabletop versus the apple peeler with a suction cup.

    Paring Knife and Cutting Board – for trimming off any bad spots or slicing the apples.

    Slow Cooker – Mine is a 7-quart Crock-Pot slow cooker.

    Immersion Blender or Potato Masher – This will allow you to get the texture or consistency that you want. An immersion blender makes it easy to purée the apples when they’ve fully cooked, without having to take them out and put them in a food processor or blender. You can just blend them up right in the CrockPot.

    Jar Funnel for canning apple butter – This helps to pour the apple butter into the jars without making a huge mess.

    Ladle or Cupcake Scoop or Funnel Pitcher – to pour the apple butter into the jars.

    Jars – You can use 4-ounce jelly jars or pint jars. I’ve found 8-ounce jelly jars are just the right size for us with the amount of jam and apple butter we eat in a 3-week period. If you already have jars, you may need new lids or a pack of lids and bands.

    Water Bath Canner or Pressure Canner and Cooker

    Sharpie and/or Jar Labels – so you can label your jars and know what it is and when you made this particular batch.

    WHERE CAN I FIND THE BEST APPLES FOR APPLE BUTTER?

    Fall is the best time to find apples, but you can use any apples you can get, whether you’re shopping at an orchard, a farmer’s market, or buying store bought apples.

    However, in the fall, you can usually buy seconds at just about any orchard, and sometimes at the farmer’s market. Meaning you can buy a HUGE box of apples for a lot less than normal cost, which is going to save you a ton of money.

    Now I will say… It takes a LOT of apples to get very little apple juice, apple jelly, apple butter, or homemade applesauce. But in my opinion, it’s totally worth it.

    toast on gray plate, spread with easy homemade apple butter, jar of apple butter and butter knife behind toast

    WHAT ARE THE BEST APPLES TO USE?

    There are certain types of apples that are sweeter and certain types of apples that have a more tart taste. Galas and Fujis are sweeter with a slightly tart taste.

    The best apples for apple butter may include:

    • Jonathan
    • Jonagold
    • Braeburn
    • Fuji
    • Gala
    • McIntosh Red
    • Cortland
    • Winesap

    HOW TO MAKE APPLE BUTTER IN A CROCKPOT

    You can make this recipe on the stovetop, and you can even make it in the Instant Pot. Of course, cooking times will differ.

    Before starting anything, it’s important to wash your apples. I usually like to soak mine in a vinegar/water bath for at least 10 minutes, then rinse.

    You’ll need 4 pounds of apples.

    It’s also important to prep your jars for canning or freezing.

    THEN JUST FOLLOW THESE STEPS…

    1. Core, peel, and slice the apples; again, an apple slicer, corer, parer for apple butter makes this step so easy. Cut out any bad spots, as well. Note: While I do leave the peeling on when making homemade applesauce, and you can do that for apple butter too, I chose not to for this recipe.
    2. Put the sliced apples in the slow cooker.
    3. Add molasses, sugar, brown sugar, spices, lemon juice, and vanilla extract to the apples.
    4. Stir everything together well.
    steps for how to make apple butter in a CrockPot, including coring, peeling, and slicing the apples; placing apples in slow cooker; adding ingredients with apples; and stirring everything together in CrockPot

    Place the lid on the slow cooker, and cook on low for about 6 to 8 hours, or ’til the apples are tender.

    HOW TO MAKE APPLE BUTTER SMOOTH

    Once your apples are tender and it’s fully cooked, it’s ready to blend.

    cooked and tender apples in black slow cooker, ready to blend into apple butter

    Uncover your slow cooker, and use an immersion blender to purée the apple butter ’til it’s smooth. If you feel it needs to thicken, you can cook it on high with the lid off for an additional hour.

    blending up slow cooker apple butter with immersion blender right in black CrockPot slow cooker

    TIPS FOR FREEZING OR CANNING APPLE BUTTER

    Using a jar funnel, pour the apple butter into each prepared jar… You can use a ladle, but I like to use my cupcake batter scoop or funnel pitcher to dip and pour. It makes the process so easy and less messy.

    pouring CrockPot apple butter into 8-ounce jelly jars for canning

    Wipe the top rim of each jar with a wet towel or rag, place the lid on, and tighten the band.

    Choose to can or freeze it…

    • You can freeze apple butter, but be sure to leave about a 1/2-inch gap at the top of each jar to allow for expansion in the freezer. Also, allow the jars to completely cool before placing in the freezer.
    • We prefer to use a hot water bath canning method (at least 15 minutes in a hot water bath) to can the apple butter. If you choose to can it, Ball has wonderful Canning Guides to guide you through the process. You can also consult the Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving.
    canning homemade apple butter in hot water bath in large enamel water bath canner

    Before you put your apple butter in the freezer or the pantry, be sure to write what it is and the year on the lid, so you know when you made it. There are plenty of options for pretty jar labels for apple butter too.

    This recipe makes probably about 4-6 pints.

    spoonful of easy CrockPot apple butter over jar with drips down side

    HOW LONG WILL APPLE BUTTER LAST?

    Canned apple butter will last about 2 years; frozen apple butter will last about 1 year.

    MORE APPLE RECIPES YOU MAY ENJOY:

    GET THE PRINTABLE RECIPE

    If you love this delicious apple butter recipe as much as I do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest!

    double image of CrockPot apple butter with text, including top image of apple butter in jar with small wooden spoon and bottom image of slow cooker apple butter spreading on toast with butter knife

    CRAVING MORE DELICIOUS RECIPES? Subscribe to my newsletter, and follow along on Pinterest, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram for all the latest updates!

    Easy CrockPot Apple Butter Recipe

    How to make homemade CrockPot apple butter filled with cinnamon spice flavors! Easy slow cooker recipe perfect for canning or freezing.

    • Johnny Apple Peeler Cast Iron Clamp Base, Apple Slicer, Corer, Parer & Pie maker, Red
    • Mueller Austria Ultra-Stick 500 Watt 9-Speed Immersion Multi-Purpose Hand Blender
    • 1.5″ Homemade with Love Canning Labels for Jars / 500 Labels Per Roll
    • Mason Jars 8 OZ with Regular Lids, 15 PACK
    • Granite Ware Enamel-on-Steel Canning Kit, 9-Piece
    • All American Canner Pressure Cooker, 30 qt, Silver
    • 4 pounds apples
    • 1/4 cup molasses
    • 1/2 cup pure cane sugar*
    • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    1. Before starting anything, it’s important to wash your apples. I usually like to soak mine in a vinegar/water bath for at least 10 minutes, then rinse.
    2. It’s also important to prep and sterilize your jars for canning or freezing.
    3. Core, peel, and slice the apples; an apple slicer, corer, parer for apple butter makes this step so easy. Cut out any bad spots, as well. Note: While I do leave the peeling on when making applesauce, and you can do that for apple butter too, I chose not to for this recipe.
    4. Put the sliced apples in the slow cooker.
    5. Add molasses, sugar, brown sugar, spices, lemon juice, and vanilla extract to the apples.
    6. Stir everything together well.
    7. Place the lid on the slow cooker, and cook on low for about 6 to 8 hours, or ’til the apples are tender.
    8. Once your apples are tender and it’s fully cooked, uncover your slow cooker, and use an immersion blender to purée the apple butter ’til it’s smooth. At this point, if you feel it needs to thicken, you can cook it on high with the lid off for an additional hour.
    9. Using a jar funnel, pour the apple butter into each prepared jar… You can use a ladle, but I like to use my funnel pitcher or cupcake batter scoop to dip and pour. It makes the process so easy and less messy.
    10. Wipe the top rim of each jar with a wet towel or rag, place the lid on, and tighten the band.
    11. You can freeze apple butter, but be sure to leave about a 1/2-inch gap at the top of each jar to allow for expansion in the freezer. Also, allow the jars to completely cool before placing in the freezer.
    12. We prefer to use a hot water bath canning method to can the apple butter, immersing the closed jars in boiling water for at least 15 minutes. If you choose to can it, Ball has wonderful Canning Guides to guide you through the process. You can also consult the Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving.
    13. Before you put your apple butter in the freezer or the pantry, be sure to write what it is and the year on the lid, so you know when you made it.

    *You can also use granulated sugar.

    You can make this recipe on the stovetop, and you can even make it in the Instant Pot. Of course, cooking times will differ.

    Canned apple butter will last about 2 years; frozen apple butter will last about 1 year.

    WHERE CAN I FIND THE BEST APPLES FOR APPLE BUTTER?

    Fall is the best time to find apples, but you can use any apples you can get, whether you’re shopping at an orchard, a farmer’s market, or buying store bought apples.

    However, in the fall, you can usually buy seconds at just about any orchard, and sometimes at the farmer’s market. Meaning you can buy a HUGE box of apples for a lot less than normal cost, which is going to save you a ton of money.

    WHAT ARE THE BEST APPLES TO USE?

    There are certain types of apples that are sweeter and certain types of apples that have a more tart taste. Galas and Fujis are sweeter with a slightly tart taste.

    The best apples for apple butter may include:

    • Jonathan
    • Jonagold
    • Braeburn
    • Fuji
    • Gala
    • McIntosh Red
    • Cortland
    • Winesap
    Canning & Freezing
    American
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  • How to Make Homemade Apple Juice without a Juicer

    How to Make Homemade Apple Juice without a Juicer

    How to make the most delicious homemade apple juice without a juicer and without any added sugar. Simple and easy Instant Pot recipe.

    For the longest time, I really thought I needed an apple juicer or an apple press for juicing apples. I’m not sure why I thought that because after learning how to make my own apple juice, I realize how easy it really is.

    homemade apple juice in a Sunshine Brand Coffee jar and jelly jar

    You can make apple juice, apple jelly, and pressure cooker applesauce all at the same time. For now, let’s focus on homemade juice.

    Why You’ll Love Making Apple Juice

    • While I use my Instant Pot, you can totally make this homemade apple juice on your stove. The cook time just may be a little longer.
    • There is no added sugar in this apple juice either. The only ingredients you need are apples and water. Of course, you want a sweeter tasting apple, but we’ll talk about the types of apples you can use.
    • It’s easy to make; your Instant Pot does most of the work for you.
    • Have I mentioned it’s the most delicious apple juice recipe?
    fresh apple juice in a jar with a paper straw

    What Are the Benefits of Making Your Own Apple Juice?

    Remember the old saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away?” Apples have a ton of nutritional value and are a great addition to our diet.

    While you’d probably get a LOT more benefit out of the whole apple, apple juice is a good source of vitamin C and potassium. It’s also a great source of antioxidants.

    And since you are able to cook most of the apple, including the core and peeling, when making apple juice, you may have added fiber and other nutrients that a whole apple provides.

    Not to mention, homemade apple juice tastes so much better than store bought. It’s so fresh and crisp and light.

    washing seconds apples in the sink for apple juice recipe

    Ingredients Notes:

    You only need 2 ingredients to make apple juice without a juicer…

    • Apples – You’ll need about 5 pounds of apples. I prefer to use a sweeter apple, so I don’t have to add any sugar. Something like Gala or Honeycrisp works well. We’ll talk more about apples a little further below.
    • Water

    What Kind of Apples Should I Use to Make Apple Juice?

    There are certain types of apples that are sweeter and certain types of apples that have a more tangy, sour taste. As I mentioned above, when making homemade apple juice, you probably want to use a sweeter apple, so you don’t have to add any sugar.

    I used Gala apples for this recipe because they were available as seconds at our local orchard. Gala have a very sweet taste.

    The best apples for juicing include:

    • Gala
    • Honeycrisp
    • Fuji
    • Yellow Delicious or Golden Delicious
    • Rome
    • and Pink Lady
    homemade apple juice made without an apple juicer, in a Sunshine Coffee jar

    Where Can I Find the Best Apples for Juicing?

    Fall is a great time to find the best apples for juicing, but you can use any apples you find, whether you’re shopping at an orchard, a farmer’s market, or the store.

    However, in the fall, you can usually buy seconds at just about any orchard (and sometimes at the farmer’s market). Meaning you can buy a HUGE box of apples for a lot less than normal cost, which is going to save you a ton of money.

    Now I will say… It takes a LOT of apples to get very little juice, jelly, apple butter, or applesauce. But in my opinion, it’s totally worth it.

    how to make apple juice without a juicer, in your Instant Pot with the whole apple, including core and peelings

    How to Make Apple Juice without a Juicer

    For this recipe, you’ll need about 5 pounds of apples, a little bit of water, and an Instant Pot (a pot on the stove will work too, just with a longer cooking time).

    Be sure to wash the apples before you get started. I like to soak any fruit we eat in a vinegar/water bath for at least 10 minutes or more.

    How to Make Fresh Apple Juice without an Apple Juicer, Step By Step…

    1. Using a paring knife, remove any bad spots. Core the apples, either peeling them or leaving the peeling intact; you’ll throw the peeling in the pot too, even if you peel the apples.
    2. Cut the apples into chunks.
    3. Remove the stem and the blossom ends of the apple cores, and throw the cores into your Instant Pot, along with the apple chunks and peelings.
    4. Add enough water to cover about half of the apples. In our case, we used about 5 pounds of apples and 5 cups of water.
    steps for how to make apple juice without a juicer in the Instant Pot, including peeling and coring the apples and adding water
    1. Close your Instant Pot, and set it to Pressure Cook on Normal for 6 minutes. Let the valve naturally release after cooking.
    2. After cooking, you’ll just need to strain the juice from your apples. You can do this with a mesh strainer and/or a flour sack towel or cheesecloth.
    pouring apple juice and pulp into flour sack towel for straining
    1. Try not to squeeze the ingredients too much, so you don’t get a lot of pulp in your juice. Instead let the juice drip into a container for an hour or so.
    straining homemade apple juice with a flour sack towel and bucket

    If you want, you can strain the leftovers in a food mill to make homemade applesauce and cinnamon applesauce. And you can either drink the juice or make homemade apple jelly with a little bit of it.

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ’s

    What’s the difference between apple juice and apple cider?

    There are a few differences between apple juice vs apple cider. Apple juice is going to be a thinner, more transparent liquid without any pulp left behind. Apple cider is a thicker, more opaque juice, and it may have pulp and chunks of apple left behind; you can actually make a warm mulled cider with spices and citrus. Also, in terms of commercial apple cider vs apple juice, apple juice is pasteurized and has a longer shelf life than apple cider.

    Is it safe to juice apple seeds? What about Arsenic/Cyanide in the apple seeds?

    Studies have shown that you’d have to eat a whole lotta seeds to have any risk of poisoning. And in this case, we’re not eating the seeds, we’re simply cooking them in the mixture to get the added benefits of the natural pectin in the apple core. I’m just going to leave you with this article from Pick Your Own: Cyanide, Arsenic, and Other Toxins in Fruit: Facts, Myths, and Old Wive’s Tales. Blender Mom also has a really informative post about how Apple Seeds Are Safe. If you’re still not sure, Here’s How Many Apple Cores It Would Take to Poison You. Again, for this recipe, we’re simply cooking the seeds and cores, then straining them out.

    Can you freeze homemade apple juice?

    Yes, you can. In fact, you can freeze or can apple juice, whichever you prefer. We usually don’t keep it around long enough to do either/or; but if you make enough, yes, you can freeze it. If you choose to can it, Ball has wonderful Canning Guides to guide you through the process.

    How should you store apple juice?

    You’ll need to store it in an airtight container, jar, or pitcher in the fridge; it should keep for about 1 week.

    fresh homemade apple juice in Sunshine Coffee jar and jelly jar with paper straw

    If You Love This Instant Pot Apple Juice Recipe, Try Some of Our Other Apple Favorites:

    If you love this homemade apple juice as much as I do, you’ll love our other apple favorites too…

    And learn how to use your Instant Pot with our Instant Pot Quick Start Guide, filled with practical tips, Instant Pot recipes, accessory ideas, and more!

    If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

    How to Make Homemade Apple Juice without a Juicer

    How to make the most delicious homemade apple juice without a juicer and without any added sugar. Simple and easy Instant Pot recipe.

    • Johnny apple peeler
    • Paring Knife
    • 8-Qt. Instant Pot
    • Mesh Strainer
    • Flour Sack Towels
    • Cheesecloth
    • Food Mill
    • 5 pounds apples
    • 5 cups water
    1. Wash the apples.*
    2. Remove any bad spots from the apples.

    3. Core the apples and cut them up into chunks, either peeling them or leaving the peeling intact. Throw the chunks and peelings into your Instant Pot.

    4. Remove the stem and the blossom ends of the apple cores, and throw the cores into the pot.
    5. Add enough water to cover about half of the apples. In this case, we used about 5 pounds of apples and 5 cups of water.
    6. Close your Instant Pot, and set it to Pressure Cook on Normal for 6 minutes. 
    7. Allow the valve to naturally release after cooking.

    8. Once cooking is done, strain the juice from your apples.* You can do this using either a mesh strainer, flour sack towels, or cheesecloth.

    9. Let the juice drip into a container for an hour or so.*

    10. Once you have all the juice you can possibly get, pour the juice into a pitcher or cups for drinking. 

    11. For what to do with leftovers, see the Recipe Notes.*

    * We used Gala apples for our juice, but you can use any kind of apples. The best apples for juicing are Gala, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, Rome, and Pink Lady.

    *When straining the juice from your apples, try not to squeeze the ingredients too much, so you don’t get a lot of pulp in your juice. Instead let the juice drip into a container for an hour or so.

    *We hung our flour sack towel from a cabinet door handle (make sure it’s strong enough to support the weight) and let it drip into a small bucket.

    *Got leftovers? You can strain the leftovers in a food mill to make applesauce. And you can either drink the juice or make homemade apple jelly with it.

    Store leftover juice in an airtight container, jar, or pitcher in the fridge, where it should keep for about 1 week.

    Drinks
    American
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  • 50+ Mouthwatering Apple Recipes

    50+ Mouthwatering Apple Recipes

    Apple Recipes – What to do with apples! 50 of the most mouthwatering apple recipes, including desserts, Crockpot recipes, preserving and canning, and more delicious ideas!

    Mouthwatering apple recipes for what to do with apples

    We’ve spent the last couple of months making weekly trips to the orchard and making all sorts of delicious apple recipes. I’ll tell ya, I’m really going to miss the orchard when it closes for the season.

    There is nothing quite like apples fresh off the tree. And there’s nothing quite like fresh apple recipes like apple pie, applesauce, and apple butter.

    From preserving apples to baking apple desserts and even making dinner, there’s really no limit on what to do with apples. There are so many ways you can use these wonderful fruits.

    APPLES ARE GOOD FOR YOU TOO!

    Apples taste so good, it almost seems wrong that they’re so good for us.

    Did you know apples are a good source of the following…

    • Vitamin C
    • Potassium
    • Antioxidants
    • Fiber

    Not that desserts are necessarily good for us, but apples themselves and some of the things you can make with them, can pack quite the punch when it comes to nutrients our bodies need.

    Below you’ll find 50 ways to use apples, plus kitchen tools you may need when working with apples.

    mouthwatering delicious apple recipes

    KITCHEN TOOLS YOU MAY NEED FOR MAKING APPLE RECIPES

    Apple Corer/Peeler/Slicer – This actually makes the process of chopping up the apples a lot quicker.

    Paring Knife – for trimming off any bad spots or slicing the apples. My paring knife is kinda like my spatula… I can’t cook without it.

    Food Mill or Immersion Blender – You might want this if making applesauce or apple butter.

    Jars and Lids – I prefer jelly jars or pint jars. In fact, we usually try to keep our pantry stocked with jars. But don’t forget the lids and rings. They can be easy to forget, and before you know it, you have all the jars you need but no lids.

    8-Quart Instant Pot

    Slow Cooker

    Pastry Blender – I love my simple pastry blender. The mixture doesn’t get stuck in it like it does the bigger pastry blenders.

    Rolling Pin – Definitely need this if you’re making pies.

    Glass Pie Plates – This pie plate is my old faithful pie plate; I’ve had it forever, probably since we got married. Mine actually has the fluted edge sorta built in too, so you can press it in and get somewhat of a decorative edge without a lot of handiwork on your part.

    Adjustable Pie Shield – Protects your pie crust from burning.

    Muffin Tin or Bread Pan

    Baking Sheet, Baking Pan, or Bundt Pan

    50 APPLE RECIPES – WHAT TO DO WITH APPLES

    Here are a few yummy apple recipe ideas, including some really great ways to preserve apples so your family can enjoy them for weeks to come.

    You’ll find recipes for preserving apples, canning apples, dehydrating apples, apple desserts, apple muffins, apple cinnamon snacks, and even some savory apple recipes!

    Instant Pot Apple Butter – Adventures of Mel

    Instant Pot Apple Butter

    Easy CrockPot Apple Butter – Adventures of Mel

    Crock Pot apple butter in a jar with small wooden spoon

    Stovetop Traditional Apple Butter Recipe

    stovetop apple butter in jelly jar with small wooden spoon

    Gluten-Free Apple Crisp – My Gluten-Free Kitchen

    Gluten-Free Apple Crisp

    Easy Baked Apples – Create Kids Club

    Easy Baked Apples

    Caramel Apple Dump Cake

    caramel apple dump cake on white plate with fork

    Sliced Caramel Apple Pops – Busy Mommy Media

    Sliced Caramel Apple Pops

    How to Make Apple Juice without a Juicer – Adventures of Mel

    How to Make Apple Juice without an Apple Juicer

    Baked Apple Cinnamon Donuts {Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free} – Mama Knows Gluten Free

    Baked Apple Cinnamon Donuts

    Puff Pastry Apple Tart with Goat Cheese and Honey – Umami Girl

    Puff Pastry Apple Tart with Goat Cheese and Honey

    Apple Pie Turnovers – Butter Your Biscuit

    Apple Pie Turnovers

    Easy No-Peel Instant Pot Applesauce – Adventures of Mel

    Easy No-Peel Instant Pot Applesauce

    Paleo Apple Blondies with Maple Coconut Glaze – What Great Grandma Ate

    Paleo Apple Blondies with Maple Coconut Glaze

    Apple Protein Muffins – One Clever Chef

    Apple Protein Muffins

    How to Make Apple Chutney – Cadry’s Kitchen

    How to Make Apple Chutney

    No-Peel Instant Pot Cinnamon Applesauce – Adventures of Mel

    No-Peel Instant Pot Cinnamon Applesauce

    Chicken and Apple Cheddar Dumplings – Sugar Dish Me

    Chicken and Apple Cheddar Dumplings

    Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake with Pecan Crisp Topping – The Unlikely Baker

    Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake with Pecan Crisp Topping

    Apple Pie Filling – Beyond the Chicken Coop

    Apple Pie Filling

    Homemade Apple Jelly without Pectin – Adventures of Mel

    Homemade Apple Jelly without Pectin

    Mouthwatering Gluten Free French Apple Cake – Fearless Dining

    Mouthwatering Gluten Free French Apple Cake

    Homemade Oven Baked Apple Chips – She Loves Biscotti

    Homemade Oven Baked Apple Chips

    Dutch Apple Crumb Pie – Adventures of Mel

    slice of Dutch apple crumb pie with fork on white plate

    Bourbon Apple Pecan Bread Pudding – Soulfully Made

    Bourbon Apple Pecan Bread Pudding

    Sugar Free Apple Butter Recipe – Eating Richly

    Sugar Free Apple Butter Recipe

    Apple Walnut Bread Stuffing – Adventures of Mel

    Apple Walnut Bread Stuffing

    Sugar-Free Stuffed Baked Apples – Veganosity

    Sugar-Free Stuffed Baked Apples

    Greek Yogurt Apple-Cinnamon Bread – Kristine’s Kitchen

    Greek Yogurt Apple-Cinnamon Bread

    HALFWAY THERE…

    Easy Slow Cooker Mulled Cider – Adventures of Mel

    Easy Slow Cooker Mulled Cider

    Delicious Toffee Apples – Supergolden Bakes

    Delicious Toffee Apples

    Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats – Natalie’s Happy Health

    Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats

    Homemade Apple Galette – Marsha’s Baking Addiction

    Homemade Apple Galette

    Apple Bundt Cake with a Caramel Cream Cheese Glaze – Adventures of Mel

    Apple Bundt Cake with a Caramel Cream Cheese Glaze

    Caramel Apple Mini Cheesecake – Sweet Spicy Kitchen

    Caramel Apple Mini Cheesecake

    Apple Cinnamon Pumpkin Seed Trail Mix – Adventures of Mel

    Apple Cinnamon Pumpkin Seed Trail Mix

    Caramel Apple Pops – DIY Candy

    Caramel Apple Pops

    Apple Dumplings – Celebrating Sweets

    Apple Dumplings

    Apple Cinnamon Buttermilk Pancakes – Adventures of Mel

    Apple Cinnamon Buttermilk Pancakes

    Easy Blackberry & Apple Jam – Fab Food 4 All

    Easy Blackberry and Apple Jam

    Pumpkin Pie Applesauce {in the Instant Pot} – We Are Not Martha

    Pumpkin Pie Applesauce

    Classic Apple Pie Recipe – Saving Room for Dessert

    Classic Apple Pie Recipe

    Maple Pork Chops with Apples and Onions – Adventures of Mel

    Maple Pork Chops with Apples and Onions

    Easy French Apple Jam Recipe – The View from Great Island

    Easy French Apple Jam Recipe

    Pull Apart Apple Cinnamon Bread – Baking with Mom

    Pull Apart Apple Cinnamon Bread

    Make Your Own Apple Sugar – Learning and Yearning

    Make Your Own Apple Sugar

    Caramel Apple Donut Holes – Adventures of Mel

    Caramel Apple Donut Holes

    3 Minute Sugar Free Instant Pot Pear Applesauce – Recipes to Nourish

    3 Minute Sugar Free Instant Pot Pear Applesauce

    Apple Quickie Recipe – Adventures of Mel

    Apple Quickie Recipe

    One-Minute Apple Cinnamon Muffins – Mighty Mrs.

    One-Minute Apple Cinnamon Muffins

    Apple Stuffing Crusted Pork Chops – Caroline’s Cooking

    Apple Stuffing Crusted Pork Chops

    Apple Crumble without Oats – Adventures of Mel

    apple crumble without oats, with scoop of vanilla ice cream, on white plate with fork

    Spiced Pomegranate Apple Cider Mulled Wine – Good Life Eats

    Spiced Pomegranate Apple Cider Mulled Wine

    Looking for more fall favorites?

    Deliciously Moist Pumpkin Bread Recipe

    Creamy No Bake Pumpkin Dessert

    Pumpkin Sugar Cookies

    Classic Pecan Pie

    Pumpkin Spice Gooey Butter Cake

  • Easy Slow Cooker Mulled Cider

    Easy Slow Cooker Mulled Cider

    How to make mulled cider in your slow cooker. Warm apple cider filled with cinnamon, spices, and a smidge of brown sugar, perfect for the holidays!

    ‘Tis the season for warm drinks, soft blankets, good books, and apple pie spice with all of its fall spicy goodness. Even though I love summer, I love this time of year when the temperatures drop and mulled cider becomes the beverage of choice.

    easy mulled cider with cinnamon sticks, oranges, and cloves in a slow cooker

    While I’m more of a hot chocolate girl myself, I do love a warm mug of cider, especially when my house smells as good as it does after an afternoon of slow cooking a batch of spiced cider.

    This hot apple cider is so easy to make, anyone can make it. It doesn’t require a lot of ingredients or time in the kitchen.

    Are you ready for an apple cider drink that will get you in the mood for fall? This is most definitely it.

    I JUST WANT THE RECIPE! TAKE ME TO THE RECIPE FOR MULLED CIDER!

    If you’d rather skip all of my cooking tips, important cooking info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the delicious mulled cider recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.

    glass mug of warm mulled cider with fresh apples and cinnamon sticks

    WHAT IS APPLE CIDER? WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN APPLE JUICE AND APPLE CIDER?

    You can use either apple juice or apple cider for this recipe.

    There are a few differences, though, between apple juice vs apple cider.

    Apple cider is a thicker, more opaque apple juice, and it may have pulp and chunks of apple left behind. Apple juice is a thinner, more transparent liquid without any pulp left behind.

    In terms of commercial apple cider vs apple juice, apple juice is pasteurized and has a longer shelf life than apple cider.

    If you have fresh apples and want to make the juice yourself, here is a fairly simple recipe for how to make apple juice in your Instant Pot. You can also use the same recipe to make a thicker apple cider drink.

    mug of hot cider, mulled cider recipe, with apples and cinnamon sticks

    WHERE TO BUY APPLE CIDER

    If you decide to actually go with cider and buy it instead of making it, you can usually find it at any grocery store, orchard, or maybe even a farmer’s market.

    If apple cider isn’t available where you live and you decide to buy juice instead, you could go with a thicker juice, maybe Simply Apple or something similar.

    APPLE CIDER BENEFITS

    Remember the old saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away?” Apples have a ton of nutritional value and are a great addition to our diet.

    mulled cider with orange slices, whole cloves, and cinnamon sticks in black slow cooker

    While you’d probably get a LOT more benefit out of the whole apple, apple juice is a good source of vitamin C and potassium. It’s also a great source of antioxidants.

    Now with the added sugar (I use 1/4 cup of brown sugar), this hot cider won’t be quite as good for you, but it is delicious, so I guess you could say that’s a benefit too.

    APPLE CIDER INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED:

    You’ll need a few ingredients to make this delicious mulled cider.

    ingredients for making mulled cider, including apple cider, oranges, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, allspice, and whole cloves

    TIPS FOR HOW TO MAKE APPLE CIDER

    Making apple cider is really easy. Just a few steps and you can walk away and let your slow cooker do all the heavy lifting.

    You’re essentially going to combine all of the ingredients in your slow cooker. But the orange and cloves require a bit of attention first.

    You can wash and slice the orange, add the cloves to the orange slices, and then add the slices to the slow cooker. Or you can wash and peel the orange and stick the cloves all over in the orange, then add the orange to the slow cooker.

    slow cooker mulled cider with orange slices, whole cloves, and cinnamon sticks

    Note: You can leave the peeling on the orange, but it may add a little bitterness to your hot cider.

    Once you’ve decided what to do with the orange, just combine all the ingredients and give it a good stir. Then cook everything on low for about 4 hours.

    Homemade apple cider makes your house smell so good.

    Once it’s cooked, strain out any loose cloves, the oranges, and the cinnamon sticks. You can serve it up in your favorite mugs, and maybe add a cinnamon stick for garnish.

    hot apple cider, mulled cider, in a glass mug with apples and cinnamon sticks

    IF YOU LOVE THIS MULLED CIDER RECIPE, TRY SOME OF OUR OTHER APPLE RECIPE FAVORITES:

    Instant Pot Apple Butter

    Apple Crumb Pie

    Homemade Apple Jelly without Pectin

    Easy No-Peel Instant Pot Applesauce

    No-Peel Instant Pot Cinnamon Applesauce

    50 Mouthwatering Apple Recipes

    slow cooked mulled cider in a glass mug with apples

    KITCHEN TOOLS YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE HOT APPLE CIDER:

    Slow Cooker

    Orange Peeler

    Wooden Spoon

    Festive Mugs – I love Peanuts mugs, this Mr. Tea mug, and I also love enamel mugs. So fun! Because why shouldn’t you have something fun to drink from? Right?! Right!

    MULLED CIDER RECIPE

    If you love this mulled cider recipe as much as I do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest!

    easy slow cooker mulled cider apple cider recipe

    CONNECT WITH ADVENTURES OF MEL!

    Be sure to follow me on social, so you never miss a post!

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    Slow Cooker Mulled Cider

    How to make slow cooker mulled cider. Warm apple cider filled with cinnamon, spices, and a smidge of brown sugar, perfect for the holidays!

    • 2 quarts apple cider (or apple juice)
    • 1 whole orange
    • 2 teaspoons whole cloves
    • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
    • 3 whole cinnamon sticks
    1. Pour the apple cider or apple juice into the slow cooker.
    2. You can wash and slice the orange, add the cloves to the orange slices, and then add the slices to the slow cooker. Or you can wash and peel the orange and stick the cloves all over in the orange, then add the slices to the slow cooker.
    3. Add the brown sugar, allspice, and cinnamon sticks to the cider in the slow cooker, and give it all a good stir.
    4. Put the lid on the slow cooker, and cook everything on low for about 4 hours.
    5. Strain out the oranges, cloves, and cinnamon sticks.
    6. Serve it in your favorite mugs, and maybe add a cinnamon stick for garnish.

    *You can use apple cider or homemade apple juice for this recipe.

    *Leaving the peeling on the orange may add some bitterness to your apple cider.

    Drinks
    American
    apple cider, apple cider recipe, crockpot apple cider, hot apple cider, hot cider, how to make apple cider, mulled cider, slow cooker apple cider, slow cooker mulled cider
    Easy Slow Cooker Mulled Cider Recipe
    easy mulled cider recipe made in the slow cooker
  • No-Peel Instant Pot Cinnamon Applesauce

    No-Peel Instant Pot Cinnamon Applesauce

    How to make easy, homemade, no-peel, Instant Pot cinnamon applesauce, a delicious recipe for canning or freezing. Make it smooth or chunky, no sugar added!

    Instant Pot cinnamon applesauce is really easy to make and made pretty much the same way as regular Instant Pot applesauce. You really just need to add cinnamon to the mixture.

    white bowl filled with homemade cinnamon applesauce with apples

    This applesauce recipe only calls for 4 ingredients, and none of them includ added sugar. If you use the right apples, which we’ll talk about below, you won’t need additional sugar because it’ll be sweet enough on its own.

    Think about it… Natural ingredients, no need to actually peel apples, all the nutritional benefits of those peelings, and it’s all made in the Instant Pot.

    The fact that it’s pressure cooked takes the work out of making applesauce because you don’t have to stand in front of a hot stove stirring the day away. Instead, just add the ingredients to your Instant Pot pressure cooker, push a couple buttons, and let it do the majority of the work for you.

    Now you can peel your apples if you want to; it’s totally up to you. If you use an immersion blender and not a regular blender, you may have some tiny pieces of peeling still left in your sauce.

    There’s really no reason, though, that you can’t fill your pantry with jars of homemade applesauce. And can I just say it tastes so much better and has a much better texture than store canned applesauce. So much better!

    Let’s get cooking, shall we?

    Looking for apple recipes? Here are 50 mouthwatering apple recipes you may enjoy!

    I JUST WANT THE RECIPE! TAKE ME TO THE RECIPE FOR CINNAMON APPLESAUCE!

    If you’d rather skip all of my cooking tips, important cooking info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the delicious recipe for cinnamon applesauce – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.

    Instant Pot cinnamon applesauce in canning jar with small wooden spoon

    WHERE CAN I FIND THE BEST APPLES FOR APPLESAUCE?

    Fall is probably the best time to find the best apples for applesauce, although you can use pretty much any apples you can find, whether you’re shopping at the store, an orchard, or the farmer’s market.

    In the fall, though, I recommend buying seconds at a local orchard if you have one, and sometimes you can find them at the farmer’s market.

    Buying seconds usually ensures that you can buy a HUGE box of apples for a lot less than normal cost, which is going to save you a ton of money.

    One thing you need to know, though… It does take a LOT of apples to get a little bit of applesauce, fresh homemade apple juice, apple jelly, or apple butter. But in my opinion, that homemade flavor and texture of home canned applesauce is totally worth it.

    washing apples in sink for cinnamon applesauce recipe

    WHAT KIND OF APPLES SHOULD I USE TO MAKE APPLESAUCE?

    Some apples are sweet and some have a more tart, sour taste. Also, some apples are crisp, while others are softer.

    When making a batch of homemade applesauce, I like to use a sweeter apple that has a little bit of tartness to it.  I prefer not to add any sugar, so I want the unsweetened applesauce to taste really good all on its own.

    Most people recommend using a softer apple for applesauce; it doesn’t even matter if your apples are mushy since they’re going to be made into mush anyway.

    We’ve found that Jonagold apples make the BEST applesauce. They’re sweet with just a little bit of tartness. And they mash up really well.

    easy Instant Pot cinnamon applesauce in Ball canning jar with wooden spoon

    Other best apples for applesauce may include:

    • Jonathan
    • Braeburn
    • Honeycrisp
    • McIntosh
    • Winesap
    • Rome
    • Golden Delicious
    • Cortland
    • Fuji
    • Gala
    • Ambrosia

    You can also try mixing and matching different kinds of apples to get the flavor you want for your applesauce.

    WHY ADD LEMON JUICE TO AN APPLESAUCE RECIPE?

    You’ll find different opinions about this topic when you research, but there are two main reasons home canners give for adding lemon juice to home canned applesauce.

    1. It helps preserve or protect the color of your apples over time.
    2. It can help make the applesauce more acidic for home canning. Wind fallen apples (including seconds) can have a lower acidity and a higher mold/bacteria count than unblemished apples.

    Even though their explanation is focused more around homemade jam, The Kitchn provides a great explanation for why it’s important to add lemon juice.

    slicing apples while making cinnamon applesauce

    TIPS FOR HOW TO MAKE CINNAMON APPLESAUCE IN THE INSTANT POT

    For this Instant Pot applesauce, you’ll need about 6 pounds of apples, just a little bit of lemon juice, water, and cinnamon.

    You can make this recipe on the stovetop, or you can even make it as Crock Pot applesauce; keep in mind that cooking times will vary.

    You can also make applesauce from the leftover apple mush you have when you make apple juice.

    sliced apples for making applesauce, cinnamon applesauce recipe, in instant pot pressure cooker

    Here’s how to make a stand alone cinnamon applesauce recipe:

    • Wash, core, and slice the apples. Be sure to cut out any bad spots, as well.
    • Put the sliced apples in your Instant Pot.
    • Add the lemon juice, water, and cinnamon to the Instant Pot, as well. If you want to mix everything together, you can; but there’s really no need to until after it all cooks.
    • Put the lid in place on the Instant Pot, and press Manual or Pressure Cook for 10 minutes.
    add cinnamon to cinnamon applesauce mixture in Instant Pot
    • When it’s finished cooking, allow the pressure cooker to do a natural release.
    • Purée the mixture with an immersion blender, or mash the apples with a potato masher.

    Note: If you want to eliminate any tiny pieces of peeling in the sauce, you may want to blend with a regular blender. It’s up to you how you prefer the texture and consistency.

    immersion blender mixing cinnamon applesauce in Instant Pot

    CAN YOU FREEZE HOMEMADE APPLESAUCE?

    Yes, you can freeze applesauce. In fact, you can freeze or can applesauce, whichever you prefer.

    My mom used to freeze a LOT of the applesauce she made when we were kids growing up. She’d keep freezer safe plastic containers just for storing things like homemade applesauce.

    pouring cinnamon applesauce through funnel into canning jars

    HOW DO I CAN APPLESAUCE?

    Applesauce canning is actually pretty simple. We use a water bath canning method.

    Should you choose to can your cinnamon applesauce, Ball has wonderful Canning Guides to guide you through the process. You can also consult the Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving.

    cinnamon applesauce water bath for canning applesauce

    This applesauce recipe for canning makes probably around 4-6 pints total. It’s so delicious served on homemade biscuits, toast, and cornbread. Yum!

    MORE APPLE RECIPES YOU MAY ENJOY:

    Learn how to use your Instant Pot with our Instant Pot Quick Start Guide, filled with practical tips, Instant Pot recipes, accessory ideas, and more!

    cinnamon applesauce in Ball canning jar with small wooden spoon and fresh apples

    KITCHEN TOOLS YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE INSTANT POT CINNAMON APPLESAUCE

    Jars and Lids – I prefer jelly jars or pint jars. In fact, we usually try to keep our pantry stocked with jars. But don’t forget the lids and rings. They can be easy to forget, and before you know it, you have all the jars you need but no lids.

    Canning Funnel – for pouring the applesauce into the jars without making a mess.

    Jar Lifter

    Apple Corer/Peeler/Slicer – I’m telling you, this tool is so worth every penny we spent at the thrift store, but I’d order one brand new too. It saves so much time.

    coring apples for cinnamon applesauce with johnny apple peeler

    Paring Knife – for trimming off any bad spots or slicing the apples.

    Immersion Blender or Potato Masher – This will allow you to get the texture or consistency that you want.

    Instant Pot – We used our 6-quart Instant Pot.

    CINNAMON APPLESAUCE RECIPE

    If you love this cinnamon applesauce recipe as much as I do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest! If you make the recipe, be sure to share that you tried it on Pinterest. I love when readers share feedback!

    easy no-peel Instant Pot cinnamon applesauce recipe

    CONNECT WITH ADVENTURES OF MEL!

    Be sure to follow me on social, so you never miss a post!

    Facebook | Pinterest | YouTube | Instagram | Twitter

    Sign up to receive my newsletter, filled with delicious recipes and outdoor travel adventures, in your inbox:

    FREE EMAIL SUBSCRIPTION

    No-Peel Instant Pot Cinnamon Applesauce

    How to make easy, homemade, no-peel, Instant Pot cinnamon applesauce, a delicious recipe for canning or freezing. Make it smooth or chunky, no sugar added!

    • 6 pounds apples (unpeeled)
    • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
    • 1 cup water
    • 2 tablespoons cinnamon
    1. Wash, core, and slice the apples. Cut out any bad spots, as well.
    2. Put the sliced apples in your Instant Pot.
    3. Add the lemon juice, water, and cinnamon to the Instant Pot, as well. If you want to mix everything together, you can; but there’s no need to until after it all cooks.
    4. Put the lid in place on the Instant Pot. Press Manual or Pressure Cook for 10 minutes.
    5. When it’s finished cooking, allow the pressure cooker to do a natural release.
    6. If it seems like the applesauce will be a bit watery, drain a bit of the water before mashing the apples.*
    7. Purée the mixture with an immersion blender, or mash the apples with a potato masher.** It’s up to you how you prefer the texture or consistency.
    8. Preserve using your preferred method, whether you choose to freeze or can the applesauce.***

    *You can drink the apple juice if you choose to drain the apples before mashing.

    **If you want to eliminate any tiny pieces of peeling in the sauce, you may want to blend with a regular blender. It’s up to you how you prefer the texture and consistency.

    ***If you choose to can it, Ball has wonderful Canning Guides to guide you through the process. You can also consult the Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving.

    Sauces & Dressings
    American
    applesauce, applesauce recipe, cinnamon applesauce, Instant Pot applesauce
    easy no-peel instant pot or pressure cooker cinnamon applesauce recipe
  • Maple Pork Chops with Apples and Onions

    Maple Pork Chops with Apples and Onions

    Maple Pork Chops – Grilled to perfection and topped with apples and onions for a delicious, satisfying, home cooked dinner the whole family will love.

    Grill up Maple Pork Chops and top them off with apples and onions for a weeknight meal your family will love. Delicious recipe!

    Maple pork chops on the grill… Does it get any better than this for a weeknight meal? Top them off with an old-fashioned mixture of fried apples and onions, and you’ve got the makings of a meal the whole family will enjoy.

    Sometimes it does the soul good to go back to our roots with a good old-fashioned meal of meat and potatoes. And when that meat has flavors that are out of this world delicious, even better.

    Dan loves to grill all sorts of things, including Maple Bourbon Grilled Shrimp Kabobs, and I’m all for it when he’s in the mood to do so.

    He also loves collecting special seasonings and spices different places that we go. When he does, it’s a treat, because we end up getting to try different flavors right in our very own kitchen.

    I love it when my husband grills dinner. Maple Pork Chops with Apples and Onions do not disappoint. Delicious family dinner idea!

    If you love pork recipes, you may also enjoy our roasted pork tenderloin and oven roasted pork roast recipe. Don’t forget to try this easy slow cooker pork roast!

    Tips for Making Maple Pork Chops with Apples and Onions

    • You’ll need however many pork chops will feed your family. For our family of 5, we cook 4 to 6 chops and usually have plenty of leftovers.
    • Rub the pork chops down with a special seasoning called Twisted Q Crooked Pig Seasoning BBQ with Maple and Cane Sugar Twist. It doesn’t take a lot, but it adds a whole lotta flavor. Place the chops in a bowl, and put them in the fridge so they can marinate.
    • Grill the pork chops slowly, letting all the flavors infuse as they cook. We also prefer to grill on a charcoal grill, adding even more grilling flavors in.
    • Meanwhile, while the maple pork chops are grilling, melt the butter in a skillet. Add sliced apples and onions to the skillet on low-medium heat.
    • Fry the apples and onions at a lower temp, adding salt and pepper for added flavor.
    • Once the chops are cooked through to an internal temperature of 165° F. and done grilling, add a helping of apples and onions on top before serving. Sometimes I even top them off with fresh mango peach salsa or regular fruit salsa!

    Pair these juicy pork chops with delicious sides like mashed potatoes, vegetables, buttermilk cornbread, pork fried rice, etc. It all combines to make a delicious home cooked meal.

    Looking for more recipes that involve apples? Here are 50 mouthwatering apple recipes!

    Sometimes it does the soul good to go back to our roots with a good old-fashioned meal of meat and potatoes, like Maple Pork Chops with Apples and Onions.

    More grilling recipes you may enjoy:

    Mexican Corn on the Cob with Bacon

    Maple Bourbon Grilled Shrimp Kabobs

    Simple and Delicious Grilled Fish Fillets

    Grilled Corn in the Husk with Honey Butter

    Classic Grilled Chicago Hot Dog

    Grilled Cheeseburger Pizza

    Tools You May Need to Make Maple Pork Chops with Apples and Onions

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    Print the Recipe for Maple Pork Chops with Apples and Onions

    Maple Pork Chops with Apples and Onions

    Maple Pork Chops grilled to perfection and topped with apples and onions for a delicious, satisfying, home cooked dinner the whole family will love.

    • 4 to 6 pork chops
    • 2 to 3 tablespoons Twisted Q Crooked Pig Seasoning BBQ with Maple and Cane Sugar Twist
    • 2 tablespoons salted butter
    • 4 apples
    • 1/2 large onion
    • Salt and pepper
    1. Rub the pork chops down with the Crooked Pig Seasoning.
    2. Place the chops in a bowl, and put in the fridge for 20 minutes to marinate.
    3. Grill the pork chops slowly, letting all the flavors infuse as they cook. We also prefer to grill on a charcoal grill, adding even more grilling flavor.
    4. Meanwhile, wash the apples.
    5. Slice the apples and onions.
    6. Melt the butter in a skillet.
    7. Add the sliced apples and onions to the skillet. 
    8. Fry the apples and onions at a lower temp, adding salt and pepper for added flavor. 
    9. Once the chops are cooked through to an internal temperature of 165° F. and done grilling, add a helping of apples and onions on top before serving. 
    10. Serve with mashed potatoes, vegetables, etc. It all combines to make a delicious home cooked meal.

     

    Pork Recipes
    American
    maple pork chops, pork chops, pork chops with apples and onions

    Wanna save this recipe for a future dinner idea? Pin it for later!

    Maple Pork Chops grilled to perfection and topped with apples and onions for a delicious, satisfying, home cooked dinner the whole family will love.
    Looking for delicious dinner ideas? How to make Maple Pork Chops with Apples and Onions.
  • Quick Instant Pot Apple Butter Recipe

    Quick Instant Pot Apple Butter Recipe

    Save time with this quick Instant Pot apple butter recipe you can make fast. There’s no peeling or stirring necessary, and it’s easy to make in less than an hour. This homemade fall favorite is perfect with biscuits, pancakes, and toast!

    This apple butter Instant Pot recipe is so easy to make, that I’ll never buy store bought again. It’s one of my favorite fall recipes.

    3 jelly jars full of quick Instant Pot apple butter recipe

    I remember years ago making apple butter, and it was quite the chore, standing over the sink working up all the apples for the recipe. Not anymore, though, thanks to my Johnny apple peeler, which cores, peels, and slices all at once.

    This kitchen tool is our best thrift store find ever because it does it all the work for me. I’m able to throw this Instant Pot apple butter recipe together in minutes.

    What is Apple Butter?

    According to Wikipedia, “Apple butter is a highly concentrated form of apple sauce produced by long, slow cooking of apples with cider or water to a point where the sugar in the apples caramelizes, turning the apple butter a deep brown.”

    Well, yes, but you can make apple butter in your electric pressure cooker, and it’s not a long, slow, painful process. It’s actually pretty painless.

    My apple butter is a mixture of apples and spices, with a texture that’s very similar to Instant Pot applesauce and Instant Pot cinnamon applesauce; but the taste is a little sweeter, a little darker, and filled with cinnamon spice flavors.

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    You’ll love making pressure cooker apple butter, possibly even more than my stovetop apple butter recipe, because it…

    • It’s even easier to make, if you can imagine that, no stirring necessary. Simply put your ingredients into your electric pressure cooker, put the lid on, set it, and forget it while it cooks. And if you’re thinking the apples will be a chore… Coring, peeling (if you choose to peel the apples), and slicing the apples is a job made much easier and quicker with a Johnny apple peeler.
    • It smells and tastes heavenly; it really does. I mean, would it really be fall without the scent of homemade apple butter wafting through the house? Better than any candle out there! It makes our home smell heavenly, and it tastes dreamy too.
    • It’s budget-friendly. Depending where you buy your apples and your spices, you can make a batch of 5-6 half-pints or 3-4 pints for less than $10. A bit of advice… I’m very partial to canning apple butter in the fall because it’s usually pretty easy to find apple seconds at a local orchard or farmer’s market. Buying seconds just means you can buy a bushel or half-bushel of less-than-perfect apples for a lot less than normal cost, which is going to save you a ton of money. I also like to buy spices in bulk at our local grocery discount store and sometimes thru Amazon; I especially love Badia spices and seasonings. When you compare the cost of making homemade to store bought apple butter, you save a little bit of money. But even more importantly, homemade is just better all ’round. You can even use your own homemade apple pie spice! Plus, if you’re like me, you love the satisfaction of having your own jars of home canned food lining your pantry shelves.
    • You can can it or freeze it for storage purposes.
    ingredients for quick apple butter recipe on white marble countertop

    Ingredients and Substitutions Notes:

    When I developed this Instapot apple butter, I knew I wanted it to taste similar to Cracker Barrel apple butter. Not a copycat recipe really, but similar.

    • Fresh apples – When it comes to picking the kind of apples to use, I recommend apples that are both sweet and tart to really give it a flavor kick. Some of the best apples for making apple butter include Jonathan, Jonagold, Braeburn, McIntosh Red, Winesap, Cortland, Fuji, and Gala. Jonathan and Jonagold are two of my favorites; I’ve also combined Fuji with Gala to make a really delicious apple butter.
    • Molasses – I prefer to use just regular molasses over blackstrap molasses.
    • Spices – I use nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and cinnamon to really give this apple butter a kick of flavor.
    • Lemon juice – I prefer to use a fresh lemon juice, either straight from a lemon or my favorite shortcut, Minute Maid lemon juice you can find in the freezer section of some grocery stores; I’ve been able to find it at my local Walmart. There are multiple reasons for adding lemon juice to apple butter, but it’s usually to help preserve or protect the color of your apples over time (making your apple butter stay pretty), and/or to make the apple butter more acidic for home canning. Wind fallen apples (including seconds) can have a lower acidity and a higher mold/bacteria count than umblemished apples.
    • Vanilla extract – This is my secret ingredient, and you’ll understand why I add it when you take your first bite. It’s so good!

    How to Make Quick Instant Pot Apple Butter Fast

    Before starting anything, it’s important to wash your apples. I always soak mine in a vinegar/water bath for at least 10 minutes, then rinse. You’ll need about 4 pounds of apples.

    fresh apples soaking in water in white sink

    It’s also important to prep your jars for canning or freezing. That means washing, sterilizing, etc.

    Keep in mind, you can make this recipe in any brand of electric pressure cooker you have, including the Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi, or Power Pressure Cooker XL.

    Just Follow These Steps…

    1. Core, peel, and slice the apples; again, an apple peeler for apple butter makes this step so easy. Cut out any worm holes or bad spots, as well. Note: While I do leave the peeling on when making applesauce, and you can do that for apple butter too, I usually choose not to for this recipe.
    peeling and coring apples for apple butter with a clamping Johnny apple peeler
    1. Put the sliced apples in your Instant Pot.
    sliced apples in the Instant Pot for making pressure cooker apple butter
    1. Add water, molasses, sugar, brown sugar, spices, lemon juice, and vanilla extract to the Instant Pot. If you want to mix everything together, you can; but there’s no need to until after it all cooks.
    spices, sugar, apples, and ingredients for apple butter Instant Pot recipe
    1. Put the lid in place on the Instant Pot. Press Manual or Pressure Cook for 15 minutes; when it’s finished cooking, allow the pressure cooker to do a natural release.
    2. Then using an immersion blender, blend the apples into smooth apple butter, or ’til you reach the consistency/texture you want.
    blending apple butter in Instant Pot with immersion blender after pressure cooking

    How to Freeze Apple Butter:

    I stored apple butter in the freezer quite a bit before I learned how to can it, so it works just fine without any worries. And frozen apple butter should keep for at least a year.

    1. When your apple butter has cooked, allow it to cool to room temperature.
    2. Then just ladle or pour it into freezer safe containers that seal; leave 1/2 inch headroom at the top, to allow for expansion as it freezes.
    3. Label the containers, and place them in the freezer.

    How to Can Apple Butter:

    I prefer water bath canning apple butter. Canned apple butter should keep for 1-2 years in the pantry.

    1. While your apple butter is cooking, wash half-pint jars (jelly jars) or pint jars in hot soapy water, rinse, and keep warm. We like to place ours on a baking sheet in a lower temp oven to stay hot.
    2. Once you’ve mashed up the apples, promptly ladle or pour the resulting apple butter mixture into the hot jars you prepared ahead of time. This is where a funnel pitcher comes in super handy. Be sure to leave about a 1/2-inch gap at the top of each jar.
    pouring apple butter in canning jars using a yellow jar funnel
    1. Wipe the rim of each jar with a wet towel or rag, place the lid on, and tighten the band.
    2. Then place the hot jars down in a boiling hot water bath canner with 1-2 inches of water over the jars, and process those jars in the hot water bath for about 20 minutes.
    water bath canning apple butter in water bath canner
    1. Allow your jars to rest for at least 24 hours, but be sure to check every lid to make sure it’s sealed shortly after canning.
    2. Before moving to the pantry, write what it is and the year on the lid, so you know when you made it. There are plenty of options for pretty jar labels for apple butter, and you can even turn your home canned apple butter into holiday gifts or hostess gifts.

    If you choose to can it, Ball has wonderful Canning Guides to guide you through the process. You can also consult the Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving.

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ’s

    How do you thicken apple butter?

    After blending the apples into apple butter, you can place the apple butter back on low heat on the stove, and cook uncovered for 30 minutes to 1 hour if you want it to thicken up more. While I have never had to do this, it’s a good way to make homemade apple butter thicker. Keep in mind, your apple butter will also thicken as it cools.

    What’s the best way to store it?

    If you’re not freezing or canning your apple butter, you should keep it in the refrigerator. It should keep in the fridge for about 2-3 months.

    How can I best use apple butter?

    I really enjoy apple butter on my toast in the mornings with breakfast. It’s also really delicious on Grandma’s biscuits, on drop biscuits, and on homemade dinner rolls. I especially love making my soda scones recipe and adding a dollop of apple butter on my buttered scone. So good! My friend Kelly makes a Dutch Baby apple puffed pancake that would pair so well with apple butter. And my friend Heather actually adds apple butter to the meatloaf in her meatloaf sandwich recipe; I want to try making this too because it sounds so delicious.

    spoonful of pressure cooker apple butter from canning jar

    More Apple Recipes:

    If you love this apple butter recipe, you’ll love these too…

    You can also learn how to use your Instant Pot with our Instant Pot Quick Start Guide, filled with practical tips, Instant Pot recipes, accessory ideas, and more!

    You’ll find a short video tutorial in the recipe card below. Wanna see a longer recipe video with a little bit of farm life too? Be sure to watch the full video over on YouTube.

    If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

    Instant Pot Apple Butter

    Save time with this quick Instant Pot apple butter recipe. No peeling or stirring, easy to make in less than an hour. Homemade fall favorite!

    • Instant Pot
    • Ninja Foodi
    • Johnny apple peeler
    • Immersion blender
    • Funnel pitcher
    • Canning Funnel
    • Pint jars
    • Hot Water Bath Canner
    • Jar Lifter
    • 4 pounds apples
    • 1/4 cup water
    • 1/4 cup molasses
    • 1/2 cup cane sugar
    • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    1. Before starting anything, it's important to wash your apples. I always soak mine in a vinegar/water bath for at least 10 minutes, then rinse.

    2. Core, peel, and slice the apples; again, an apple peeler for apple butter makes this step so easy. Cut out any worm holes or bad spots, as well.

    3. Put the sliced apples in your Instant Pot.

    4. Add water, molasses, pure cane sugar, brown sugar, spices, lemon juice, and vanilla extract to the Instant Pot. If you want to mix everything together, you can; but there’s no need to until after it all cooks.

    5. Put the lid in place on the Instant Pot. Press Manual or Pressure Cook for 15 minutes; when it's finished cooking, allow the pressure cooker to do a natural release. 

    6. Purée the mixture with an immersion blender, standing blender, or food mill; or if you want a chunky applesauce, you can mash the apples with a potato masher. It’s up to you how you prefer the texture and consistency.

    How to Freeze Apple Butter:

    1. When your apple butter has cooked, allow it to cool to room temperature.

    2. Then just ladle or pour it into freezer safe containers that seal; leave 1/2 inch headroom at the top, to allow for expansion as it freezes.

    3. Label the containers, and place them in the freezer.

    How to Can Apple Butter:

    1. While your apple butter is cooking, wash half-pint jars (jelly jars) or pint jars in hot soapy water, rinse, and keep warm. We like to place ours on a baking sheet in a lower temp oven to stay hot.

    2. Once you've mashed up the apples, promptly ladle or pour the resulting apple butter mixture into the hot jars you prepared ahead of time. This is where a funnel pitcher comes in super handy. Be sure to leave about a 1/2-inch gap at the top of each jar.

    3. Wipe the rim of each jar with a wet towel or rag, place the lid on, and tighten the band.

    4. Then place the hot jars down in a boiling hot water bath canner with 1-2 inches of water over the jars, and process those jars in the hot water bath for about 20 minutes.

    5. Allow your jars to rest for at least 24 hours, but be sure to check every lid to make sure it's sealed shortly after canning.

    6. Before moving to the pantry, write what it is and the year on the lid, so you know when you made it.

    * While I do leave the peeling on when making applesauce, and you can do that for apple butter too, I usually choose not to for this recipe.

    How do you make homemade apple butter thicker?

    After blending the apples into apple butter, you can place the apple butter back on low heat on the stove, and cook uncovered for 30 minutes to 1 hour if you want it to thicken up more. While I have never had to do this, it’s a good way to make homemade apple butter thicker.

    How should I store it, and how long will it last?

    • Canned apple butter will last about 2 years on the shelf.
    • Frozen apple butter will last about 1 year in the freezer.
    • In the fridge, apple butter will last about 2-3 months.
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  • Apple Bundt Cake with Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting

    Apple Bundt Cake with Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting

    Apple Bundt Cake, made with apples, cinnamon, walnuts, and a caramel cream cheese frosting. Makes a scrumptious fall and holiday dessert!

    Apple bundt cake is the quintessential fall and holiday dessert. It’s perfect for apple picking season, one of my favorite apple recipes, makes an amazing Thanksgiving dessert, and can still be enjoyed at Christmas time!

    Apple Bundt Cake, made with sweet and tarty apples, cinnamon, walnuts, and a caramel cream cheese glaze. Makes a scrumptious fall and holiday dessert!

    This happens to be my mama’s recipe for apple cake. If I remember, Mom used to make it in a rectangular cake pan, and she wouldn’t usually frost it. It was perfectly delicious without icing; the outer crust has a slightly chewy texture to it.

    I decided to try making it in a bundt pan. I knew that the batter would be quite thick, so I figured it’d work just fine. And man, did it ever turn out.

    Apple Bundt Cake is an old fashioned cake recipe made with apples, cinnamon, walnuts, and a caramel cream cheese glaze. Makes a scrumptious fall and holiday dessert!

    In fact, as soon as I was done with all of my video/photo taking for this recipe, my boys pounced. I don’t think I need to tell you that it didn’t last long. Thankfully, I was able to quickly scramble to save back a nice portion for our neighbor.

    Apple Bundt Cake, a scrumptious cake recipe with apples, cinnamon, walnuts, and a caramel cream cheese glaze. Makes a delicious fall and holiday dessert!

    Here’s how to make Apple Bundt Cake.

    Apple Bundt Cake is a pretty simple recipe to make. Wash the apples first; then core, peel, and dice them. You’ll need about 3 cups of diced apples.

    This time ’round, I used Pink Lady apples.

    Dice about 3 cups of apples to add to Apple Bundt Cake.

    But, judging from my recipe card, it would seem Mom and Grandma preferred using yellow apples. It’s totally up to you; just pick a sweet tarty apple, and you’ll be fine.

    Mix together the sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Then sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.

    Mix the dry ingredients together with the wet ingredients, adding in the diced apples, as well. It will all combine to make a very stiff batter, perfect for a bundt cake. At this point, you can even add in walnuts, which I highly recommend; they just add an overall oomph to the cake. You might even toss in a pinch of homemade apple pie spice!

    Pour the batter into a well greased pan. Bake at 350° for about 45 minutes to an hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the cake comes out clean.

    Apple Bundt Cake is a scrumptious cake recipe with apples, cinnamon, walnuts, and a caramel cream cheese glaze. Even without the glaze, it has a deliciously chewy texture.

    Now I will tell you, this cake is really good without the glaze; it has a chewy texture and such a sweet flavor all by itself.

    Apple Bundt Cake is a delicious cake recipe with apples, cinnamon, walnuts, and a caramel cream cheese glaze. It’s perfectly scrumptious, even without the glaze.

    However, if you prefer the glaze, you can mix together the ingredients for a Caramel Cream Cheese Glaze. And once the cake has cooled completely, you can pour the glaze evenly over the top, letting it run down the sides. Then sprinkle walnuts on top.

    Apple Bundt Cake is a scrumptious fall dessert, made with apples, cinnamon, walnuts, and a caramel cream cheese glaze.

    The combination of flavors makes this cake such a delectable fall dessert. I’m definitely adding this recipe to my lists of The Best Thanksgiving Recipes for Your Holiday Menu and The Best Christmas Recipes for Your Holiday Celebrations.

    Apple Bundt Cake is a scrumptious fall dessert recipe that’s irresistible, made with apples, cinnamon, walnuts, and a caramel cream cheese glaze that runs down over the sides.

    Looking for more scrumptious apple recipes?

    Apple Cinnamon Buttermilk Pancakes

    Apple Crumb Pie in a Jar

    Easy Apple Crumble

    Deep Dish Apple Crumb Pie

    Caramel Apple Donut Holes

    50 Mouthwatering Apple Recipes

    Want to see how to make the recipe? Watch our video!

     

    Apple Bundt Cake with Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting

    Apple Bundt Cake, made with apples, cinnamon, walnuts, and a caramel cream cheese frosting. Makes a scrumptious fall and holiday dessert!

    Cake:

    • 2 cups cane sugar
    • 1 1/2 cups canola oil
    • 2 large eggs
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • 3 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 3 cups apples (diced)
    • 1 cup chopped walnuts ((optional))

    Frosting:

    • 8 ounces cream cheese
    • 2 tablespoons salted butter
    • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1/2 teaspoon caramel extract
    • 1 cup powdered sugar
    • 1/2 cup whole milk
    1. Pre-heat the oven to 350°.

    2. Mix together the sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla.

    3. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.

    4. Mix the dry ingredients together with the wet ingredients, adding in the apples as well; it will make a very stiff batter.

    5. Nuts are an optional add-in at this point. I highly recommend chopped walnuts, but save back 1/4 cup for the top of the cake.

    6. Pour the batter into a well greased bundt cake pan.
    7. Bake at 350° for about 45 minutes to an hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the cake comes out clean.
    8. Once you remove the cake from the oven, let it sit in the bundt pan for about 10 minutes.
    9. Remove the cake from the bundt pan, and allow to cool completely.

    10. Meanwhile, mix up the ingredients for the frosting, including the cream cheese, salted butter, vanilla extract, caramel extract, powdered sugar, and milk.

    11. Mix well, making sure there are no lumps; the frosting should easily pour from a measuring cup.

    12. Once the cake has cooled, pour the frosting evenly over the top of the cake. It will run down the sides of the cake.

    13. Sprinkle walnuts over the frosting. Then slice and serve!

    Cakes & Cupcakes
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    Apple Bundt Cake is a scrumptious fall and holiday dessert recipe. Make it with apples, cinnamon, walnuts, and a caramel cream cheese glaze.
    Apple Bundt Cake with Caramel Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe
    Apple Bundt Cake Recipe
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  • Apple Cinnamon Pumpkin Seed Trail Mix for On-the-Go

    Apple Cinnamon Pumpkin Seed Trail Mix for On-the-Go

    Lately, I feel like we’re run ragged; we’re constantly on-the-go between doctor’s appointments, activities, homeschool co-op, and other everyday adventures. With our eating habits in even more of a changing state, I’ve really been trying to up our snack game, so we have healthier things to snack on, like trail mix, readily available.

    Apple Cinnamon Pumpkin Seed Trail Mix is full of yummy, energy-boosting bites with a slight taste of fall, in case you’re craving autumn flavors. It’s an easy snack recipe you can prep ahead of time and grab on-the-go.

    I’ve found that through the week, if it’s not easy(ish), we just won’t take the time. So, it’s important to set the stage over the weekend for healthier eating habits by prepping certain foods and snacks. With all the outdoor activities our family enjoys, trail mix is a definite win in the snack cabinet.

    This trail mix pairs perfectly with so many of the outdoor activities we love to do, like camping, hiking, fishing, and kayaking.

    I’ve found myself craving certain autumn flavors, things like pumpkin and all the apple recipes with the flavors of apple cinnamon. It was only natural to create a trail mix with a slight hint of fall.

    Apple Cinnamon Pumpkin Seed Trail Mix is full of yummy, energy-boosting bites with a slight taste of fall, in case you’re craving autumn flavors. It’s an easy snack recipe you can prep ahead of time and grab on-the-go.

    This trail mix is full of yummy, energy boosting bites and it’s great because we can all enjoy it, including Dan who’s gone completely low carb, no sugar with his food choices. He may wanna leave the apple cinnamon bites alone (and maybe even the pistachios… Who knew they had a tad bit of sugar?), but the almonds, flaxseed, and pumpkin seeds are fair game.

    Apple Cinnamon Pumpkin Seed Trail Mix is full of yummy, energy-boosting bites with a slight taste of fall, in case you’re craving autumn flavors. It’s an easy snack recipe you can prep ahead of time and grab on-the-go.

    Below is the printable recipe. Enjoy and let me know if you decide to make it!

    Apple Cinnamon Pumpkin Seed Trail Mix for On-the-Go

    Apple Cinnamon Pumpkin Seed Trail Mix is full of yummy, energy-boosting bites with a slight taste of fall, in case you’re craving autumn flavors. It’s an easy snack recipe you can prep ahead of time and grab on-the-go.

    • 1 1/2 cups roasted pumpkin seeds
    • 1 cup shelled pistachios
    • 1 1/2 cups whole almonds
    • 1/2 cup Golden Flaxseed
    • 1 1/2 cups Apple Cinnamon Bites (these are dried fruit bites I found in our local produce section)
    1. Mix all ingredients together, and store in a re-sealable bag or tightly closed container.
    2. Eat on-the-go and enjoy!
    Sweet Snacks
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    apple cinnamon trail mix, homemade trail mix, pumpkin seed trail mix, trail mix

    Not ready to make it just yet? It’s ok. Pin it for later!

    Apple Cinnamon Pumpkin Seed Trail Mix is full of yummy, energy-boosting bites with a slight taste of fall, in case you’re craving autumn flavors. It’s an easy snack recipe you can prep ahead of time and grab on-the-go.
  • Caramel Apple Donut Holes

    Caramel Apple Donut Holes

    Originally, I meant to get this recipe up in September, but when you’re utterly and completely sick to your stomach for weeks (er, months) on end, food is the absolute last thing you EVER want to look at, let alone write about unless you absolutely have to.

    While I’m still dealing with the yucks somewhat (oh, but I know the end reward will be worth it), I’m calling it and posting this recipe anyway. And you know why? You deserve to make this recipe while you’re still craving caramel apple everything and all the apple recipes.

    Caramel Apple Donut Holes are the perfect fall treat, coated with a Krispy Kreme copycat like icing that’s flaky and oh so scrumptious.

    Back when my taste buds were still in good working order, these donut holes were AH-MAZING.

    These are a quick rise yeast donut, fried in a deep fryer. I know, not the healthiest, but every once in awhile, it’s ok to enjoy a simple treat. Simple ingredients led to a delicious fall treat that I honestly can’t wait to make again.

    Caramel Apple Donut Holes are the perfect fall treat, coated with a Krispy Kreme copycat like icing that’s flaky and oh so scrumptious.

    In fact, I may take this recipe, switch it up, and make a fantastic baked sweet bread. Who can tell? Just let me get my tummy back in order, and a recipe will be coming your way.

    Let’s just talk about the icing, though. I happen to be a fan of Krispy Kreme and the wonderful, flaky, melt-in-your-mouth icing they use on their glazed donuts. In trying to emulate the texture and consistency of their icing, this icing turned out quite well. Quite the copycat if I do say so myself.

    Caramel Apple Donut Holes are the perfect fall treat, coated with a Krispy Kreme copycat like icing that’s flaky and oh so scrumptious.

    When you bite into the donut holes, the icing flakes and gives that deliciously crunchy effect. So yummy!

    Caramel Apple Donut Holes are the perfect fall treat, coated with a Krispy Kreme copycat like icing that’s flaky and oh so scrumptious.

    Grab the printable recipe below. And most of all, enjoy!

    Looking for more sweet breakfast treats?

    Caramel Apple Donut Holes are the perfect fall treat, coated with a Krispy Kreme copycat like icing that’s flaky and oh so scrumptious.

    Caramel Apple Donut Holes

    Caramel apple donut holes are a quick rise yeast donut, fried in a deep fryer and glazed with a thin, flaky, melt-in-your-mouth icing that's oh so delicious!

    Donut Holes:

    • 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 2 tablespoons quick rise yeast
    • 2/3 cup cane sugar
    • 3 teaspoons salt
    • 1 tablespoon apple pie spice
    • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
    • 1 cup whole milk
    • 3 large eggs
    • 1/2 teaspoon caramel extract

    Icing:

    • 4 tablespoons salted butter (softened)
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1/2 teaspoon caramel extract
    • 4 1/2 cups powdered sugar
    • 1/4 cup whole milk
    • 1/2 cup apple juice

    1. Whisk all the dry ingredients, including the flour, yeast, sugar, salt, and apple pie spice, together.

    2. In a separate bowl, mix together the softened unsalted butter, milk, eggs, and caramel extract.

    3. Blend the liquid ingredients with the dry ingredients.

    4. Let the dough rise for an hour or more, 'til doubled in size.

    5. Roll the dough out onto a floured surface, and cut with donut/donut hole cutter. (TIP: If you don't have a donut hole cutter, cut the top off a plastic soda bottle and wash. Use the opening of the soda bottle to cut out donut holes, works like a charm!)

    6. Place the donuts on a cookie sheet and let rise 'til doubled in size.

    7. Meanwhile, mix up the icing, blending all the ingredients together.

    8. Fry the donuts and donut holes in a deep fryer set to 350° F, 'til each donut hole is cooked thru and golden. You can also fry them in a skillet in a couple inches of canola oil.

    9. Let the donuts and donut holes drain on paper bags.

    10. While still warm, dip each one in the icing.

    11. Set on a rack over wax paper to drip and cool.

    12. Once they've cooled enough to eat, they're ready for you to enjoy!

    Breads & Muffins
    American
    caramel apple donut holes, fried donut holes, homemade donut holes

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  • Apple Cinnamon Buttermilk Pancakes

    Apple Cinnamon Buttermilk Pancakes

    Fall is here, and my taste buds are hoppin’ with all sorts of ideas for apple this, cinnamon that, pumpkin this, nutmeg that… All the apple recipes, including apple cinnamon buttermilk pancakes! Fall is all about the cozy side of food and home.

    What could be more cozy than a stack of pancakes with a pat of butter on top, drizzled with a hearty amount of warm maple syrup, besides maybe an apple cinnamon French toast bake? Can’t think of anything else, can you?

    Breakfast is served with fluffy Apple Cinnamon Buttermilk Pancakes, made with applesauce and a dash of cinnamon. Serve with butter and warm maple syrup. They’re so scrumptiously delicious!

    Besides maybe a thick pile of homemade French Toast. Of course, with a hint of cinnamon and a little bit of applesauce, this particular stack of pancakes screamed all things fall.

    Instead of adding an egg to my normal batch of pancakes, I decided to go with applesauce to add a nice fall flavor. A dash or two of cinnamon completed this fall breakfast creation. You could also toss in a pinch of homemade apple pie spice! My mouth is actually starting to water, just thinking about it.

    Breakfast is served with fluffy Apple Cinnamon Buttermilk Pancakes, made with applesauce and a dash of cinnamon. Serve with butter and warm maple syrup. They’re so scrumptiously delicious!

    Like butterbeer pancakes from scratch, this pancake recipe is super easy to make and perfect for a weekend breakfast. Grab the griddle and the mixing bowl, and get down to cookin’ up a hearty batch of apple cinnamon flapjacks.

    Breakfast is served with fluffy Apple Cinnamon Buttermilk Pancakes, made with applesauce and a dash of cinnamon. Serve with butter and warm maple syrup. They’re so scrumptiously delicious!

    The nice thing about using applesauce is that unless you’re making your own applesauce, you don’t even have to peel or chop a thing.

    Breakfast is served with fluffy Apple Cinnamon Buttermilk Pancakes, made with applesauce and a dash of cinnamon. Serve with butter and warm maple syrup. They’re so scrumptiously delicious!

    More pancake recipes you may enjoy:

    Grab the printable recipe below. Most of all, enjoy!

    Breakfast is served with fluffy Apple Cinnamon Buttermilk Pancakes, made with applesauce and a dash of cinnamon. Serve with butter and warm maple syrup. They’re so scrumptiously delicious!

      Apple Cinnamon Buttermilk Pancakes

    With a hint of cinnamon and a little bit of applesauce, a stack of apple cinnamon buttermilk pancakes screams all things fall.

    • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 3/4 teaspoon salt
    • 2 tablespoons cane sugar
    • 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
    • 3/4 cup buttermilk
    • 3 tablespoons canola oil

    1. Whisk together the dry ingredients, including the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and sugar in a large mixing bowl.

    2. Make a well in the center of the mixture.

    3. Add the applesauce, buttermilk, and canola oil to the well; then stir just until moistened.

    4. Lightly spray a griddle with cooking spray, and heat to a moderate temperature over low to medium heat.

    5. Spoon the pancake batter onto the hot griddle, and cook until the tops are covered with bubbles and the edges turn golden brown.

    6. Flip the pancakes and cook the other side. Cook until the pancakes are golden brown and cooked through.

    7. Serve with butter, warm syrup, or a dusting of powdered sugar.

    Pancakes, Waffles, & French Toast
    American
    apple cinnamon buttermilk pancakes, apple cinnamon pancakes, buttermilk pancakes

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    Apple Cinnamon Buttermilk Pancakes Recipe
  • Apple Quickie Recipe

    Apple Quickie Recipe

    Digging around in Grandma’s recipe box again, I’ve found so many new recipes to try, and what better way to piece things together and learn even more in the kitchen? Plus I never know what notes I may find, written by her hand.

    Apple Quickie Recipe {mamabzz.com}

    This Apple Quickie is one of the best apple crisp recipes I’ve ever tried. Grandma has written on the recipe, “Tastes like old fashioned apple crisp.”

    Recipe for Apple Quickie
    Bite of Apple Quickie

    Indeed it tastes delicious. It has such a sweet flavor, and one of the nice things about it is that it doesn’t require a ton of ingredients.

    The hardest part about this recipe is peeling and slicing the apples. It’s definitely a recipe I’ll be making again and again. Kinda like another family-favorite, cinnamon stuffed pears. You might even add a pinch of homemade apple pie spice for extra flavor.

    I hope you enjoy!

    Apple Quickie

    Apple Quickie (Apple Dump Cake)

    Apple Quickie, or apple dump cake, is one of the best apple desserts and tastes like old-fashioned apple crisp.

    • 8 apples (medium to large in size)
    • 3/4 cup sugar
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
    • 1 tablespoon salted butter
    • 7.5 ounces yellow cake mix
    1. Use canned or freshly cooked, sliced apples (I chose to use fresh apples, since they’re in season); in the case of fresh apples, core, peel, and slice. Arrange apple slices in buttered 8x8x2 pan. Combine sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over apples. Dot with butter. Sprinkle with cake mix, direct from box. Pierce with fork so juice can bubble up through.
    2. Bake in a moderate oven at 375° for about 30 minutes. Serve while warm with whipped topping, if desired. Enjoy!
    Desserts
    American
    apple dump cake, apple quickie

    In the mood for more apple recipes?