Apples are one of the most popular seasonal fruits each fall in the United States, but here’s a fun little twist: The apples we know and love today didn’t actually originate here. European settlers brought cultivated apples to North America way back in the 1600s. In fact, apple pie isn’t technically American either!
But after centuries of popularity, it’s safe to say that most apple recipes feel quintessentially American. Take applesauce, for instance. There are versions of it all over the world, but the snack you put in your kid’s lunchbox come back-to-school time? That’s very American. And homemade applesauce is so easy to make. You can even use your slow cooker or Instant Pot.
And then there’s apple butter. If you buy it at the store, it’s often located quite close to the applesauce in the aisle. But are they the same? If not, what is the difference between apple butter vs. applesauce? And how do you use apple butter? Read on, so you can savor every sweet bite of fall.
What is the difference between apple butter and applesauce?
Merriam-Webster defines apple butter as “a thick brown spread made by cooking apples with sugar and spices.” If that sounds a lot like the description of applesauce, you’d be right. They start the same way: Apple chunks are cooked down with sugar, liquid, and often warm spices like cinnamon until they break down. If you stop there, that is applesauce.
Keep cooking that apple puree down until it becomes thick, concentrated, and spreadable, and you have apple butter. So, no—they’re not the same thing, but they have the same origins! While applesauce has a looser and sauce-like consistency, apple butter is more of a spread, similar to peanut butter.
What is apple butter used for?
If you’ve never had apple butter, you’re in for quite a treat. Use it as a spread on biscuits, scones, toast or English muffins. You can make sandwiches, stir it into oatmeal, or layer it with yogurt. You can also bake with it. Apple butter cheese twists make an elegant fall appetizer, for example.
Can I make apple butter from applesauce?
Yes, since the first few steps of making apple butter from scratch are similar to making applesauce, it stands to reason that you can make apple butter from pretty much any applesauce. It helps to know what went into the applesauce first before you start to make the apple butter, so you know what you have to adjust in terms of sugar and spices. Bonus: Any type of apple that you use to make applesauce can be used for apple butter.
