Do you have a favorite grab when you go to the store or farmers market? I do – or should I say ‘did’? It didn’t matter if it was on my list or not, I always had to grab a jar of apple butter from a vendor at the farmers market! And I most certainly couldn’t wait til I got home to crack open the jar ….I was “that person” who dabbed my finger in it on the way home!
I never disliked applesauce as a kid but there was always something missing as far as I was concerned. There just wasn’t enough depth for me. I almost always have to have a crunch factor and applesauce was almost drinkable so though I loved the flavor, I wasn’t a big fan of the texture. But apple butter on the other hand was on an entirely different level! OMG! What is it about the ‘butter’ vs. the ‘sauce’ that made it that much better? Please tell me – I’m truly asking you! Though there isn’t any crunch factor, it just seems to have so much more depth in terms of flavor and texture.
I have dabbled a few times, at taking a stab at an apple butter recipe and I just wasn’t sold on any of my attempts. I love making my own foods when possible but my local farmers market had a favorite of mine so I wasn’t losing any sleep over not being able to nail down a recipe …..until now! I have met the match of my favorite grab and now my friends, I will be making this cost effective homemade Apple-Pumpkin Butter recipe because it’s soooo easy and soooo good!
I’m not quite sure if it was the pumpkin that made it exactly what I wanted out of my failed attempts but it was a success the first time I tried it and I’m running with it! I have already made it a few times because I honestly ate it too fast to grab a decent picture for this post. I kept telling myself to save some for photos and then, ‘oops’ – it was gone again. Thankfully it’s super easy to come together so I whipped more up on the spot. I LOVE it spread on my Biscuit recipe (just omit the garlic and you have a base for a sweet or savory spread) but I also love just spooning it out of the jar with some cashew or almond butter. I have also let butter come to room temperature and combined it with the apple-pumpkin butter and it’s equally as good on some biscuits or your bread of choice. 
This will definitely be on the Thanksgiving table but I also had the idea of gifting these to co-workers, neighbors or even your kids’ teachers. Instead of an apple for the teacher, give them some apple-pumpkin butter. Make sure to double that batch then ….because you will definitely want to keep some for yourself! Tell me, what will you be spreading this on or what will you be dipping into this? Inquiring minds 
- 3 medium apples, cored & peeled...cut into cubes
- 1 15oz can of pumpkin
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 3 large pitted dates/sliced into quarters (or 6 small dates)
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp allspice
- Mix all ingredients together in the instant pot liner.
- Set instant pot manually for 15 minutes.
- Release steam and stir.
- Mash apples with potato masher, if they have not broken down. This will result in a chunkier butter. I personally wait til it cools a bit & toss into a blender - pulse a handful of times and voilà, smooth apple-pumpkin butter!
