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    Home » Recipes » Recipes

    Salted Caramel Honeycrisp Apple Butter

    Author: Lindsey Janeiro, RDN Published: Dec 11, 2017 · Updated: Dec 3, 2021 · 21 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    Salted Caramel Honeycrisp Apple Butter tastes like caramel sauce drizzled over apple pie. It's totally plant-based, dairy-free, and entirely fruit-sweetened with zero added sugar!

    A glass jar of silky smooth salted caramel honeycrisp apple butter.

    This post contains affiliate links.

    Hiiii and get ready for some yummmm!

    Let me introduce you to Salted Caramel Honeycrisp Apple Butter: aka the apple butter my family is obsessed with. Why so obsessed?

    • It's made in a slow cooker - easy peasy!
    • There is no added sugar! The apple butter is sweetened entirely by apples and nature's candy: medjool dates!
    • It's lightly spiced with a touch of cinnamon for a classic apple butter flavor.
    • It's got a natural caramel flavor from the caramel notes of the dates, the complexity of flavor that develops from cooking low and slow in the slow cooker, and being blended with coconut milk and salt at the end to really capitalize on the caramel notes.

    Basically, it's yum. In fact, my husband dubbed this the "apple butter that tastes like caramel drizzled over apple pie". Well, then. SOLD! 😉

    A spoonful of salted caramel honeycrisp apple butter drizzled over apple chips on a blue plate.

    How to Make Healthy Caramel Apple Butter

    This healthy apple butter just needs a few ingredients:

    • honeycrisp apples (although you can use other varieties)
    • medjool dates
    • water
    • vanilla
    • cinnamon
    • salt
    • coconut milk

    To make, just remove the cores and pits from the apples and dates, roughly chop, and add them to your slow cooker with the water, vanilla, and cinnamon. Let it do its thing while you do yours. When it's done, blend the slow cooker contents into a smooth, thick puree, then stir in the salt and coconut milk. And that's it!

    A blue plate with toast with apple butter, apple slices, and cinnamon next to a glass jar of salted caramel honeycrisp apple butter.

    Healthy Apple Butter FAQs:

    • Can I use other apples besides honeycrisp?
      • Yes, but taste may vary (i.e. all green apples will be more tart).
    • Should I blend it with an immersion blender or use a real blender?
      • An immersion blender will work, but even though it's a little extra work I really prefer using a blender. I have a Vitamix and find the blender just gets a much smoother, creamier consistency.
    • What type of coconut milk should I use?
      • You can use lite or full fat canned coconut milk, but make sure it's the canned, thicker coconut milk (not the refrigerated thin coconut milk beverage in the cartons, like by the refrigerated almond and soy milk).
    • I'm allergic or don't like coconut milk, what can I use instead?
      • One reader messaged me that they used heavy cream and it tasted great, so you could try that (although that makes it no longer dairy free). But as a general head's up, you can't taste the coconut in this apple butter.
    • Can I make this on the stove?
      • Sure thing - I would just simmer the apple, dates, water, vanilla, and cinnamon in a large covered pot for at least an hour, or until really tender.
    • Can I make this in the Instant Pot?
      • Yes - check out the recipe notes for one reader's adaptation in the Instant Pot!
    • Can this apple butter be canned?
      • I wouldn't can this healthy apple butter. Canning requires precise recipes with specific pH of final canned recipes to maintain food safety and I don't know if this recipe will work. Try freezing!
    • Can I freeze leftover apple butter?
      • Yes! I like to freeze either in small jars or in small 1-2 tablespoons portions in an ice cube tray. Leave an inch of headspace at the top of the jar, because the contents will expand as they freeze. Once apple butter ice cubes are frozen, you can transfer the to a freezer-safe, airtight bag or container. They can be frozen 3-6 months, or longer in a deep freezer.

    Ways to Enjoy

    It's delicious no matter how you take it. We've tried this Salted Caramel Honeycrisp Apple Butter a few different ways:

    • mixed in oatmeal
    • drizzled over Greek yogurt (or ice cream!)
    • drizzled over dried apple slices for "apple nachos"
    • with fresh honeycrisp apple slices dipped into it
    • on toast

    You can freeze it to enjoy year round, or gift it to friends and family during this most wonderful time of the year. 🙂

    Apple nachos with salted caramel apple butter drizzled over apple chips.

    Looking for More Healthy Fall Recipes?

    Try these!

    • Slow Cooker Applesauce
    • Healthy, Gluten-Free Pumpkin Muffins
    • Cranberry Apple Harvest Salad
    • Maple Dijon Roasted Brussels Sprouts
    • Pumpkin Pasta Sauce
    • Hearty Vegetable Chili

    When you make this healthy apple butter or any other recipe, let us know what you think. Leave a comment and take a pic and share your thoughts with us on the Nutrition to Fit Facebook page, or over on Instagram (be sure to tag me - @nutritiontofit - and use the hashtag #nutritiontofit). Let me know what creative uses you find for this delicious Salted Caramel Honeycrisp Apple Butter. Live well!

    Salted Caramel Honeycrisp Apple Butter tastes like caramel sauce drizzled over apple pie, but it's totally plant-based and has zero added sugar!
    Print Recipe
    5 from 9 votes

    Salted Caramel Honeycrisp Apple Butter

    Salted Caramel Honeycrisp Apple Butter tastes like caramel sauce drizzled over apple pie, but it's totally plant-based and has zero added sugar, sweetened entirely from fresh fruit!
    free from: gluten, dairy, soy, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts
    Prep Time30 mins
    Cook Time4 hrs
    Total Time4 hrs 30 mins
    Course: Sauce
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 24
    Calories: 57kcal
    Author: Lindsey Janeiro, RDN, CLT

    Ingredients

    • 3 lbs honeycrisp apples stem & core removed and roughly chopped
    • 1 cup medjool dates pitted and roughly chopped
    • 1 cup water
    • 3 tablespoon vanilla extract
    • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
    • ½-1 teaspoon salt
    • ¼ cup canned coconut milk lite or full fat
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Combine apples, dates, water, vanilla, and cinnamon in a slow cooker. Cook 3-4 hours on high heat or 6-8 hours on low heat.
    • Carefully transfer slow cooker contents to a blender or use an immersion blender to puree apple mixture until completely smooth.
    • Stir in salt and coconut milk.

    Notes

    You can peel the apples if you'd like, but I did not. I have a high-powered Vitamix blender, so the peels blend easily. If you have a weaker blender and struggle to achieve a smooth puree, you may want to peel your apples.
    I prefer the sweet-tart flavor of honeycrisp, but you can use any type of apple.
    You can use full fat or lite canned coconut milk for best results. I have not tested it with any other alternatives, but something like almond milk that's a little thinner may not make the apple butter as creamy. The nutrition information has been calculated using full fat canned coconut milk.
    Jaime from moderndayfox.com adapted this for the Instant Pot: soak the dates in hot water for a few minutes, then combine ingredients in the Instant Pot or 20 minutes on High Pressure with a Quick Release.
    Leftovers can be frozen in airtight freezer-safe storage containers up to 3-4 months.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 57kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Sodium: 50mg | Potassium: 112mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 40IU | Vitamin C: 2.6mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.2mg

    Text graphic that says, "Make this recipe? Tag @nutritiontofit on Instagram and use the hashtag #nutritiontofit."

    Pinterest Graphic with a glass jar of silk smooth apple butter and text that reads "salted caramel honeycrisp apple butter" with descriptors like no added sugar, gluten-free, dairy-free, slow cooker, instant pot

    Pinterest graphic of a jar of salted caramel honeycrisp apple butter, apple butter on toast, and apple butter drizzled on apple chips.

    More Recipes

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    • Pumpkin Crumble Bars
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jaime Fox says

      December 12, 2017 at 9:52 pm

      I converted this recipe to the Instant Pot! 20 Minutes High pressure with a quick release. It was PERFECT! I took some to a couple neighbors and they went nuts over it. I posted your recipe in the Instant Pot Community and hope it drives lots of people to your site!

      Reply
      • Lindsey Janeiro says

        December 13, 2017 at 12:16 pm

        Jaime, that is the best comment ever!! You totally made my day! Thank you SO MUCH - I'm going to update the recipe with a note sharing your Instant Pot method! THANK YOU!!!

        Reply
    2. Candice says

      December 12, 2017 at 10:11 pm

      Can't wait to try this. Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
      • Lindsey Janeiro says

        December 13, 2017 at 12:15 pm

        thank you so much, Candice, I hope you enjoy it!

        Reply
    3. Kristan says

      December 13, 2017 at 5:08 pm

      I can't wait to make this!

      Reply
      • Lindsey Janeiro says

        December 16, 2017 at 10:11 am

        let me know how you like it, Kristan! 🙂

        Reply
    4. Tawnie Kroll says

      October 09, 2018 at 5:00 pm

      I loved the flavor the Medjool dates added to this recipe! Yum, so good on my morning toast! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Lindsey Janeiro, RDN, CLT says

        October 16, 2018 at 10:43 pm

        So glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    5. Meme says

      October 10, 2018 at 10:12 am

      I basically was in apple heaven after making this! I dipped my apples into the apple butter and it was the most delicious moment of the day!

      Reply
      • Lindsey Janeiro, RDN, CLT says

        October 16, 2018 at 10:41 pm

        mmm apple heaven!! So glad you enjoyed!

        Reply
    6. Emily Kyle says

      October 13, 2018 at 9:23 am

      I followed the girls instant pot recipe instructions above and this turned out amazing!!!

      Reply
      • Lindsey Janeiro, RDN, CLT says

        October 16, 2018 at 10:38 pm

        So good to hear!

        Reply
    7. Lorie says

      October 14, 2018 at 10:59 am

      It's sad to say I am almost 37 and just had apple butter for the first time--now I need to make up for lost time!!!!

      Reply
      • Lindsey Janeiro, RDN, CLT says

        October 16, 2018 at 10:37 pm

        Yeah you do! There are many ways you can enjoy it!

        Reply
    8. Liz Shaw says

      October 14, 2018 at 2:15 pm

      Two words: Game. Changer. I can't believe how easy it is to eat healthy and not feel like you're missing out. Such good work on this one!

      Reply
      • Lindsey Janeiro, RDN, CLT says

        October 16, 2018 at 10:37 pm

        Thank you! Such a delicious recipe, hard to believe there's no added sugar, right?

        Reply
    9. Scott says

      September 22, 2019 at 11:17 pm

      Can you can this recipe? I would like to enjoy it as long as possible from the fruits of my honey crisp trees!

      Reply
      • Lindsey Janeiro, RDN, LDN says

        September 26, 2019 at 5:31 pm

        I'm envious of your honeycrisp trees! Honestly, I wouldn't can this recipe unless you know of some way to check the pH of the finished product to see if it's safe for canning. Canning recipes are really particular because the final product has to be a certain pH for food safety and to keep bacteria away! If you have space in your freezer, you can freeze it, though!

        Reply
        • Phil Bremer says

          April 24, 2021 at 2:49 pm

          If you use a pressure cooker, the pH doesn't matter . Acidic foods like fruit and pickles can be canned with a water bath. Low acid foods like vegetables and meats need a pressure cooker to be safe.

          Reply
    10. Carol says

      September 17, 2021 at 11:22 am

      Haven't tried it yet, but do you know how long this would last without freezing? A week or two, in the refrigerator? So if I gifted some in small glass jars I know what to tell them if they don't eat it right away. 🙂

      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Lindsey Janeiro, RDN, LDN says

        September 30, 2021 at 10:50 am

        It can be frozen up to one year!

        Reply

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