16 Uses For Apple Butter That Nobody Told You About

Uses for apple butter

Have some apple butter sitting around the house and don’t know what to do with it? Maybe you purchased it once for a recipe you were making and now you want to utilize it before it goes bad. Whatever the case, we have you covered! In this article we’ll be going over 16 different uses for apple butter that you probably haven’t heard of yet.

Apple butter, much like applesauce, is made by grinding washed apple to a pulp and then heating it further so that it reduces down to a caramelized paste.

Apple butter

Although it’s not quite the same as applesauce, it can be used in many of the same ways and then some. Let’s explore some of these uses.

Uses For Apple Butter

The following are 16 ways unique use cases for apple butter…

1. As a spread for toast, bagels and sandwiches

Apple butter toast

One of the many uses for apple butter is as a spread for various breakfast items, such as toast, bagels, and sandwiches.

Spreading apple butter on your morning toast adds natural sweetness and a creamy texture that can replace both regular butter and jelly. What’s more, you’ll be consuming much less saturated fat and cholesterol as apple butter is made simply of pureed apples.

2. As a topping for oatmeal, parfaits, pancakes, and other breakfast items

Another way in which you can use apple butter is to simply mix it in with your morning oatmeal or yogurt parfaits.

When added, apple butter adds a sweet, creamy texture that complements all of the other flavors.

3. As a dip for Charcuterie boards

One of the more common uses for apple butter is to use it as a dip for crackers and various other sliced fruits.

This is especially welcomed when used in Charcuterie boards as it also complements various types of meat (such as pork) quite nicely.

4. As a natural sweetener for cakes, cookies, breads, and various baked goods

Recipes for baked goods and pastries typically call for sugar, whether it be brown sugar or regular table sugar.

Sugar sweetens whatever you add it to, but refined sugars can also be detrimental to good health when consumed in excess.

Apple butter can work as a natural sweetener in your favorite dessert and pastry recipes, and it comes with far less refined sugar than other alternatives.

5. As a glaze for roast pork

Apple butter glaze on roast pork

Did you know that apple butter goes great with pork?

It’s true — apple butter and pork are a match made in heaven. Slather some of it (liberally) on some pork shoulder before throwing it in the oven or crock pot and enjoy the sweet, complementary flavor it adds.

6. As a substitute for applesauce in baking recipes

Many plant-based or health-centric recipes call for the use of applesauce when making various cakes, cookies and breads.

Applesauce is all well and good, but if you don’t have any left and want a close alternative, apple butter can fit the bill. Just makes sure to use less of it if you don’t want the recipe to be too sweet.

Unlike applesauce, apple butter is more concentrated, therefore its flavor and sweetness is more pronounced.

7. Apple Butter Chai Latte

Apple butter is not just for eating. It’s also for drinking!

Believe it or not, one of the many uses for apple butter includes making chai lattes — a warm drink to enjoy on a cool autumn day.

8. Apple Butter Ice Cream

We all scream for ice cream, but what about ice cream with apple butter?

That’s right, if you’re making your own homemade ice cream (or even sprucing up some generic store-bought ice cream,) mix in some apple butter to add a fruity sweetness.

If you need further instructions, the good folks over at Musselman’s have provided a recipe for sweet cream apple butter ice cream.

9. Breakfast Bars

By now we’re all aware of how well oatmeal and apples go together, but what if we made them into breakfast bars?

Apple butter makes this possible! Check out this recipe from Food.com if you’d like to know how you can make some oatmeal apple butter bars of your own.

10. As an additive to mash sweet potatoes

One of the lesser known uses for apple butter is to pair it with sweet potatoes. This is especially true for mashed sweet potatoes.

Adding in some apple butter will provide a fruity hint of sweetness, making your sweet potato mash a more sophisticated dish. Try out for your next Thanksgiving dinner. Your guests will love it!

11. Apple butter pies

Apple butter pies

Tying in with the previous point about combining apple butter with pumpkin, this can also work for pumpkin pies as well!

Same goes for pecan pies — throw in a dash of apple butter to add some complexity and uniqueness to your next pie recipe.

12. As a marinade for barbecue chicken

Apple butter doesn’t just pair well with pork, it also goes well with chicken! Slather it liberally on top of some chicken breasts before throwing them on the grill and it’ll pack a flavorful punch that the whole family is sure to enjoy.

13. Homemade Pop Tarts

Homemade Pop Tarts!

Wait, what?

You heard me. You can make your own Pop Tarts at home using apple butter! Check out this recipe from Baran Bakery to learn how.

14. As a replacement for regular butter

Another way in which you can use apple butter is as a replacement for regular butter or other oils some recipes may call for.

Granted, apple butter may not be a perfect substitute, but it’s certainly a healthier option when compared to the saturated fat and high concentrations of omega 6 fatty acids in butter and refined oils.

15. Making Crepes

Apple butter seems to shine brightest when used in a breakfast context, and crepes are just one of many such use cases.

Use this recipe from “Our Family World” to make some quick and healthy apple butter crepes that the whole family is sure to enjoy.

16. Fry it with bacon

Who doesn’t love applewood smoked bacon? Well, did you know that you can mimic that same flavor by simply throwing some apple butter in the pan with your bacon as you fry it?

The result is a delicious fusion of pork and apple.

The Bottom Line

As we’ve gone over in this article, there is no shortage when it comes to uses for apple butter — from breakfast to dessert and everything in between. So next time you find yourself with a jar of this delectable fruit spread, put it to good use and enjoy the unique flavor and natural sweetness it has to offer!

PlantBasedFAQs.com

This post was contributed by a member of the PBF writing staff. PlantBasedFAQs.com is an online publication for learning about plant-based food and nutrition.

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