Low Sugar Applesauce Apple Butter

Easy 5-ingredient apple butter made with unsweetened applesauce. This fall spread is lightly sweet with maple syrup, apple cider, and a touch of kombucha. 

I miss my extended family, guys. 

Most of them are split between Indiana and North Carolina with a few scattered from coast to coast. 

Our annual family reunion was canceled this year in an abundance of COVID caution. 

We’re planning on connecting virtually over the holidays in a Zoom Room, but it’s not *quite* the same as exchanges hugs and laughs and food. 

I texted my Aunt Janet on Halloween and told her how much  I missed her apple butter. 

I always coveted the little mason jars she sent to my parents and me, eating greedy spoonfuls on anything and everything. 

It was brimming with fresh sweet apples, warm spices, and just the right amount of sweetness. 

Feeling nostalgic, I decided to create my own apple butter this season that’s made super simple with applesauce. 

You can make this Low Sugar Applesauce Apple Butter in under an hour with just 5 simple ingredients! 

The truth is that I consider myself a bit of a fruit butter connoisseur.  

Over the years I’ve made quite a few butter variations with my favorite fruits. 

I realized this fall, though, that I don’t have a classic apple butter on the blog yet! 

…what. 

I know, I agree, this has to be remedied immediately because apple butter was my first and forever fruit butter lover. 

In my recipe research, I found that most apple butter recipes use whole apples slow-cooked down to create a spreadable butter. 

I called my mom a few weeks back and confirmed that she always made our apple butter with applesauce. 

This Low Sugar Applesauce Apple Butter is the perfect puréed shortcut to apple butter fast and naturally sweet!

Here’s what you need to make Low Sugar Applesauce Apple Butter: 

• unsweetened applesauce
• all-natural apple-juice or apple cider
• Mad Magic Apple Cinnamon Kombucha
• date paste
• cinnamon

That’s it! 

This recipe is super simple and easy because it uses jarred applesauce as the base!

All you have to do is measure out three cups and add it to the saucepan with fresh apple cider or apple juice.

I recommend using unfiltered apple cider rather than apple juice for the best apple-y flavor. 

Then we add in the remaining three ingredients.

Cinnamon, for some spice.

Date syrup, for a slight warm sweetness.

Mad Magic Apple Cinnamon Kombucha for a bit of acidic brightness to offset the sweetness.

The flavor of dates and apples go *so* well together. 

You can sweeten your apple butter to taste using more or less date syrup. 

If you don’t have date syrup on hand, you can easily sub maple syrup in its place. 

Even unsweetened applesauce is pretty sweet on its own, so I recommend going light on the sweetener and adding more as needed. 

Start with scant single Tablespoon then add more date paste in small increments to reach your desired taste.

For a no-sugar-added variation, you can omit the date paste altogether and it’ll still be wonderfully sweet! 

The secret ingredient to this applesauce is the addition of Mad Magic Apple Cinnamon Kombucha.

Yes, you can cook with kombucha, too!

In many of my compotes, jams, and butters, I use a big squeeze of lemon to contrast with the sweetness of the fruit. 

I used that  same logic here but subbed in  Mad Magic Apple Cinnamon Kombucha, which tastes like bottled up apple pie.

This traditionally brewed and perfectly spiced kombucha  is bottled with no artificial ingredients, added sugar, juice, or extracts.

Adding a splash brightens up this butter and gives it just the perfect sweet finish! 

Let the Low Sugar Applesauce Apple Butter cook down for a good 45+ minutes on the stovetop. 

At first, the mixture will look (and taste) like a warm applesauce. 

Which is also delicious, by the way. 

My mom used to warm up applesauce for us as an after dinner treat with cinnamon and brown sugar– delicious! 

But for this recipe, you want to get past the warmed up applesauce phase to where the apple butter begins to thicken and stick to the sides of the pan. 

Stir the mixture frequently, drawing in the sides like you’re making scrambled eggs (er, tofu?).

The apple butter is done when it’s thick and robust in flavor. 

This Low Sugar Applesauce Apple Butter is the quickest way to create an apple butter that is all-natural, low-sugar, and FAST.

Your Applesauce Apple Butter will be done after 45 minutes on the stovetop, but you can add more time to simmer for even more depth of flavor!

Add a touch of natural sweetness or leave it plain and let the applesauce shine. 

This recipe can be canned, if you like, so you can enjoy fresh apple butter all year round.

Some other ideas for serving are:

• spread on toast
• swirled in oatmeal
• in yogurt
• on crackers
• in a peanut butter sandwich
• on ice cream

Enjoy!

If you make this Low Sugar Applesauce Apple Butter, let me know!

Be sure to leave me a comment, rating, and review so I can use your feedback to create more yums. 

Give me a shout on Instagram and use #floraandvino to show me your creations.

Check out my Pinterest page to pin more recipe like this one to make later.

For more fun fall dips and spread, check out my Low Sugar Pumpkin Apple Butter, Maple Pear Butter, and Low Sugar Fig Jam. 

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XO Lauren

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This post is brought to you by Mad Magic Kombucha, but all words and eats are my own. Thanks for supporting the sponsors that keep me hungry!