Small Batch Stovetop Apple Butter (and, um, a milkshake.)
Because I cannot let anything in this world just BE.
The thing is that I made some darn healthy apple butter.
I’m obviously in a butter mood, but whatever. Alternate sentence: what else is new. Question mark.
Apple butter with a touch of honey. No sugar otherwise. Just some sea salt, a touch of cider and a HECK of a lot of spice. My preference… I wanted things to taste like fall in a jar. Even left the peels on the apples for extra fiber.
Okay, for extra laziness. You caught me.
So I have this awesome, good-for-you apple butter. And what do I do? PUT IT IN A MILKSHAKE.
SWIRL IT AROUND WITH ICE CREAM. DRIZZLE IT WITH MAPLE CREAM.
Hate myself. I mean, love myself.
This past week we finally finished up the last jar of apple butter that we have been hoarding since August since we were in Michigan. I use the term “we” loosly because my husband may as well have labeled the jar with his name and secured it with lock and key. Not very nice, now is he?
No big deal, considering the vast amount of snacks I have to hide from him just so I can get a bite. Shhhhh.
The other thing is that all along I planned on making apple butter in my crockpot. Then. Someone broke my crockpot. By someone I mean me. Thanks for your replacement suggestions on facebook. After I dried my eyes I went in search for a new one and it was complete sensory overload that ended in a very large pumpkin scone and much consumption of emotions. So, no crockpot yet. I’m going to get a replacement lid for my broken one, but in the meantime I figure for as often as I use it, why not buy another? It seems completely logical since I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NOT ONE SQUARE INCH for another kitchen appliance. La la la la la.
Apple butter on the stovetop it is. It only took an hour! Also, apple butter in a small batch. When I make a lot of something, it tends to go to waste, unless of course it’s chicken or steak and then the human garbage disposal takes care of it. I wanted just enough so we could enjoy it without getting sick of it.
Or you know, throw it in a milkshake so there was none left to spread on toast.
That seems perfectly normal.
Small Batch Stovetop Apple Butter
Ingredients
Small Batch Stovetop Apple Butter
Apple Butter and Maple Cream Vanilla Milkshakes
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream
- 1 1/4 cups milk
- 1/3 cup apple butter
- 1/4 cup maple cream or maple butter, plus more for drizzling
- 1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped
- whipped cream for serving
- cinnamon to sprinkle on top
Instructions
Small Batch Stovetop Apple Butter
- Combine all ingredients together in a small saucepan and stir. Heat over low heat and cover, cooking for 1 hour. Stir occasionally, making sure that no apples are sticking to the bottom. After an hour, the apples should be caramely in color and completely broken down. Add the mixture to a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. (You can leave it chunky if you’d like!) Store in the fridge for up to one week.
Apple Butter and Maple Cream Vanilla Milkshakes
- Combine all ingredients together in a blender and puree until smooth.
Did you make this recipe?
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It’s better like this anyway.
75 Comments on “Small Batch Stovetop Apple Butter (and, um, a milkshake.)”
lol, I made apple butter today, but not the milkshake! It looks so incredible!!! What a great idea!! I am so making the shake when I come home from work!!! Happy Friday to you!!
Sorry to hear about the fate of your crockpot lid! I have zero space for new kitchen appliances…. but I kind of want one. What model do you have?
I have not made any butters yet this fall. Both pumpkin and apple have been on my list, but they have just not happened yet. Pure laziness on my part, but I gotta make this milkshake with means I have to make the apple butter. Kind of awesome treat for a Friday! :)
Um yes please! Looks delicious!
Wow! This looks incredible. It’s my boyfriend’s birthday next week and he would LOVE this, I think I’m gonna have to make it!
I literally was just thinking about how much I wanted to make pumpkin butter, but kept finding recipes that made 4-5 jars, and thought “I need a smaller batch recipe!” and then boom here you are. Are you in my head? Thank you!
Um, this is BRILLIANT. Apple butter in a milkshake? yes please!
I love apple butter! The whole house smells so wonderful!! And a milkshake with apple butter is completely awesome!!
Holy… This looks mouthwatering good :-)
I am so dead. HAD to have some Maple Cream = Christmas shopping = Crockpot perusing = waah! Stop…it’s only 7 am in the morning. I’m supposed to be workinggggg. You win.
I love that this is a small batch! I feel like if I made a crockpot batch it would go to waste!
I JUST posted apple butter yesterday! Except mine was not so healthy. And it had caramel in it. I think I’m about to put it in a milkshake for breakfast.
Ok, even though it’s freezing and raining right now, all I want is this milkshake!
I loooove apple butter + this looks marvelous!! You know, apple butter is the key ingredient in making the apple cider doughnuts super appley tasting! As if you needed another to choose from… ;)
love it, all the more i don’t have a slow cooker))
LOVE apple butter! Just made some apple butter bars myself yesterday. Now I need to go get myself some ice cream…
Yum! What kind of apples would you suggest using?
It’s Friday. You are totally allowed a milkshake.
I loveee apple butter, but I have never thought about making it! I might just have to since this looks so easy! The milkshake looks like an incredible vehicle for apple butter. Who needs toast when you have ice cream?!
Please please please never let anything in this world “just be.” – I don’t know what I would eat if you did ;)
This has absolutely nothing to do with your recipe today (which looks amazing), but I saw this online and thought you might like it! http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=acc_scarf-gloves&ProductID=1000140310&VariantID=
gahhhh need it!
I’m so making these this weekend!!
Thank you for sharing a small batch apple butter recipe!! I have only been able to find crockpot recipes that are HUGE. This looks divine!
are you serious? I could never hate you! And this looks insane – like you’re an insane person for putting these two together … and i bet it’s insanely incredible. You’re like a mad scientist in the kitchen!
It’s like an apple pie milkshake. And that’s enough reason for me to make this. Really need to get my act in gear and make some fun butters, but the lack of crockpot and pure laziness is sort of standing in my way ;)
Why not…. I can think of a million things to do with this butter…can’t wait!
An apple butter milkshake sounds perfectly fine to me :) Spreading it on toast is just average, but using it for a milkshake is exceptional!
I just woke up and saw this on my compooter screen. Is this an acceptable breakfast choice? Because it’s Friday, I am going with yes. This looks ahmayzing.
The perfect breakfast drink! Love the idea of putting the apple butter in the milkshake. Sounds like a perfect combination.
Confession, I have never made (or even eaten) apple butter. Ah! I know. Horrible. Now there is no excuse. Looks yummy!
Oh man this is such a good idea, I’m gonna take it.
Hey there is nothing wrong with an apple butter milkshake. You have to indulge sometimes!
This looks amazing! YOU are amazing! I am so making this this weekend. With Bourbon. This needs bourbon. (“Hi my name is Kimberly”……Hiiii Kimberly)
I love that it’s small batch and love that you did it on the stovetop. Girl I have like 5 crockpots, and 4 are still in boxes. I wish I could just give you one. But they’re so heavy that it would cost me 50 bucks to ship it or I would ship you one! I have no idea how/why I have so many, but I do. And they are in my underground storage unit b/c like you, I have NO MORE ROOM for any more appliances in my kitchen. Which is why just being able to whip this up on the stove in an hour is great! Pinned.
Skins on is always the way to go! Peeling apples is my worst nightmare. Unless we’re talking about peeling butternut squash. Anyway, this looks delicious, and I think putting it in a milkshake is brilliant!
This is awesome! I was totally going to make apple butter at the beginning of fall and I had all of these Crockpot recipes pinned and then when I actually looked at one with my boyfriend we both realized how much it would make and how many apples we’d have to buy and we looked at each other and were like no. So I will definitely be trying your recipe!
-Jen
yourstrulyjen.com
Also, on an unrelated note, Panera now has Fontina grilled cheese sandwiches. Not that you couldn’t make your own, but it is wonderful.
What size mason jars do you use? I only have the quart size at home which would probably just mean extra large milkshakes which doesn’t sound like a bad thing at all… But still, just curious!
So obsessed with your recipes! I have printed out a weeks worth for dinner!
I just saw your site posted on FB for the slow cooker hot chocolate. There are stars in my eyes! lol.
Ooh, this looks so delicious! But where does one get maple cream or maple butter? Must. Make. Milkshake.
God bless you, my child.
love this. youre amazing.
I don’t think I’ve ever add apple butter, but I HAVE had pumpkin butter!
I just made some lovely pumpkin butter in my crock pot…and noticed a crack starting to form on the bottom of the crock! UGH! Guess the apple butter will need to be stove top. This may be an odd question, but what is maple cream? Is it as simple as it sounds, cream + maple syrup? Gotta make sure I’ve got all the ingredients ready before I indulge! Thanks for yet another yummy goody!
Oh my god, stop. I can’t take it. The first picture…heavenly. I want!
Oh wow. Totally not lazy at all, making apple butter AND a smoothie! I think I would need to hide this from myself :)
Ok ladies here is the deal. Take you pumpkins and cook them down seal in jars or freeze. Then when you want to make butter just open or unfreeze. I make it for gifts myself. Pumpkins are cheap right now. I cook mine in my crock-pot and go from there.Just peel and cook for awhile till tender .
Not for the lid heck you can use anything that fits your crock pot even a piece of sran-wrap,foil or plate will work. Just need something to hole in the temp and moisture.Yep I’ve broken one a time or two. I have 4 crock-pots all different sizes. To heck with coffee pot give me my crock-pot.I use one of mine almost each day someway.
Happy cooking,
wanda ll
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I love apple butter but even more I love cranberry apple butter; in a butter mood you say? Then you must try it; cried when it was all gone last year. Making a whole warehouse full this year.
Damn…a breakfast milkshake…only you!
Thanks for sharing a small batch apple butter recipe. I’ve ben wanting to make it forever, but have only found recipes that make ginormous portions. But now I’m going to want to put it in a milkshake, and it’s all your fault!