Looking for some new and creative apple butter uses? If you made a big batch of homemade apple butter but are wondering what to do with it, look no further: We've got you covered with appetizers, muffins, cakes, breakfast ideas, and more.
Fall is finally here, there's a delightful chill in the air, and you turned that u-picked haul into a big, beautiful batch of homemade apple butter. But even after a few days of slathering it on toast or crusty bread and adding a scoop to your oatmeal or ice cream, you still somehow have SO. MUCH. LEFT. So...now what?
These recipes are perfect for using up that surplus (or, y'know, the perfect excuse to whip up a brand new batch) when you're not quite sure what to do with apple butter leftovers.
Jump to:
- Choose Your Apple Butter
- Our Favorite Recipe
- Apple Butter Recipe Collection
- Brie and Apple Butter Crostini
- Apple Spice Cake
- Cheese and Charcuterie Board
- Thanksgiving Cheese Board
- Apple Butter Coffee Cake
- Apple Butter French Toast
- Easy Apple Butter Muffins
- A Few Apple Butter FAQs
- More Cozy Fall Recipe Ideas
- 💬 Comments & Reviews
Choose Your Apple Butter
All of recipes on this list were developed especially to work with both our homemade stovetop apple butter recipe and this slow cooker apple butter. You can use fresh, refrigerated, or previously frozen versions (if there's a jar from last fall hiding in the back of your freezer, you can definitely defrost it and use it in these recipes!)
We have also tested these recipes with store bought apple butter and plain ol' applesauce. And don't worry if you're missing something: Each recipe post has lots of tips to help you adapt and make substitutions to use whatever you have on hand!
Our Favorite Recipe
Asking us to pick a favorite from our collection of recipes with apple butter is...unfair. But if we had to choose JUST ONE, it would be these apple muffins.
The muffin batter mixes up quickly, the crumble topping is *chef's kiss*, and they're perfect for easy breakfasts-on-the-go all week long. (They're also a fan favorite among our readers!)
Apple Butter Recipe Collection
Scroll through this list for a quick overview of our best apple butter recipes, and click the big pink button to visit any full recipe post (where you'll find all of the ingredients, instructions, and notes).
Fun fact: Every one of these recipes has step-by-step photos to help you make it perfectly on the first try! Many also feature how-to videos so you can see exactly what a recipe should look like at every step.
Brie and Apple Butter Crostini
This easy fall appetizer is perfect for entertaining! Toast some baguette slices, then top each crostini with brie and a dollop of apple butter. Pop the assembled crostini into the oven until the brie just starts to melt for the perfect warm-and-cozy bite.
Apple Spice Cake
This easy cake gets a punch of flavor from extra cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg. Topped with our favorite maple fudge frosting! Makes two 6-inch cake rounds or 12-15 cupcakes. Includes a step-by-step video.
Cheese and Charcuterie Board
Apple butter is a perfect addition to a fall cheese plate (great for Thanksgiving or entertaining!) Spoon it into a small jar, then follow our step-by-step tutorial to fill your platter with cheeses, crackers, and other accoutrements. Includes a step-by-step video.
Thanksgiving Cheese Board
One of our favorite apple butter uses: Add it to a cheese plate! Take your homemade cheese board to the next level with this Thanksgiving-themed tutorial: perfect for friendsgiving or any autumn get-together!
Apple Butter Coffee Cake
This easy coffee cake is the perfect cozy addition to your fall breakfast or brunch menu! Fresh chopped apples are added to the batter for extra texture, and it's topped with a quick cinnamon and brown sugar crumble.
Apple Butter French Toast
We're adding this magic apple elixir to our French toast batter for an easy, seasonal spin on a classic! Ready in 20 minutes with a rich, custardy texture that's perfect with maple syrup or powdered sugar. This is one of our favorite uses for apple butter!
Easy Apple Butter Muffins
These muffins are perfectly moist, packed with our favorite fall spices, and ready in under an hour! Topped with a quick cinnamon and brown sugar crumble.
A Few Apple Butter FAQs
Yes - this cozy apple spread freezes SO well! We like to freeze it in small mason jars so we can defrost just what we need. Defrost frozen jars overnight in the fridge when you're ready to use it.
Not quite. Apple butter is typically a bit thicker than applesauce, and it may have additional seasonings added. That said, you can often substitute applesauce in recipes using apple butter!
Like most things, it can certainly go bad over time, especially if it isn't stored properly. It's shelf life can vary based on the recipe or store-bought brand you're using. Most store-bought jars or homemade recipes will include notes or best-by dates to indicate how long the apple butter lasts; we recommend following those recommendations for best results. To maximize shelf life, be sure to store it in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer. Always use your best judgment and follow sensory cues (for example: do a smell check and make sure nothing odd is growing across the surface!) to determine if it's still safe to eat.
We hope you love these easy ways to use apple butter! Still looking for ideas? Try adding this magical spread to the filling of your favorite cinnamon rolls (we love it in our small batch cinnamon rolls!), serving a dollop alongside your favorite pork chop recipe, or drizzling it over a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
More Cozy Fall Recipe Ideas
Apples aren't the only thing to celebrate each autumn: Check out some of our other favorite fall-themed recipes!
Christa
Apple butter is my favorite jelly/jam. I'm excited to try some of the recipes 🙂
Team Life As A Strawberry
WAHOO! It's our favorite too!