The Kevin Grolig Home Team, a fall tradition

Kevin’s Favorite Apple Butter Recipes

Twelve ways through a jar of McCutcheon’s Apple Butter, slow-cooked in Frederick, Maryland since 1938. Three recipes are brand-new this year.

Get the book as a PDF

Breakfast · Dinner · Dessert · Beverage · And then some

Kevin Grolig in his kitchen
Where the delivery route ends and the cooking starts. Montgomery County, Maryland
Twelve recipes, one jar

What do I do with my apple butter?

The question Kevin gets every fall, answered. Pick a recipe below, or start at the ribs and work your way to the old fashioned.

Baby Back Ribs
Baby Back Ribs

RECIPE 01

Baby Back Ribs

by HOST THE TOAST

Ready In 3 hours 35 minutesPrep Time 20 minutesCook Time 3 hours 15 minutesServes 6-8 servings

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 racks baby back ribs
  • ¼ cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon garlic salt
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon celery salt
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon white pepper
  • ½ cup apple butter
  • ½ cup apple cider
  • ¼ cup maple syrup

FOR THE SAUCE

  • 1 cup prepared barbecue sauce (I used Sweet Baby Ray’s Honey Chipotle)
  • ½ cup apple butter
  1. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
  2. Mix together the brown sugar and all of the dry remaining spices. Set aside one tablespoon worth of the well-combined spices to add to your apple butter mixture later.
  3. Remove the membrane from the underside of each rack of ribs. (It may help to use a butter knife to get under the membrane and then use your hands to pull it off once you can fit a finger underneath.)
  4. Place the ribs on a rimmed baking sheet and rub with the spice mix. Bake, meaty side up, for 2 ½ hours.
  5. Mix together the apple cider, apple butter, maple syrup, and tablespoon of spice. Pour over the ribs and turn to coat. Cover well with foil and bake for an additional hour.
  6. To finish the ribs, heat up the grill and mix together the apple butter and barbecue sauce.
  7. Place the ribs on the grill and brush them with barbecue sauce, turning and brushing until they’ve glazed, about 15 minutes. Let them rest for 10 minutes and then serve. (If you don’t have access to a grill, feel free to finish them under the broiler.)
Smoked Old Fashioned
Smoked Old Fashioned

RECIPE 02

Smoked Old Fashioned

by NIKKI SIPS (@NIKKI.SIPS)

Prep Time 5-10 minutes

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 oz of apple butter + ¼ oz of water (combine for easier pouring)
  • 2 oz bourbon
  • 3 dashes angostura bitters
  • 3 dashes cinnamon bitters
  • ½ oz apple cider
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • Bar torch
  • 3 apple slices
  1. In your mixing tin, add apple butter/water, bourbon, apple cider, ice, and both bitters.
  2. Stir for 8 seconds.
  3. Smoke your glass with a cinnamon stick and fill with ice.
  4. Pour cocktail over ice and garnish with apple slices and a cinnamon stick.
Chutney
Chutney

RECIPE 03

Chutney

by SHILPI JOSHI

Ready In 5 minutesServes 12 servings

INGREDIENTS

  • 17 oz apple butter
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 5 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp cumin coriander powder
  • 1 ½ tsp red chilli powder
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • ¼ cup water
  1. Measure out and add all ingredients to a bowl.
  2. Mix well, adjust water to make it thinner if that is your preference!
Pull Apart Loaf
Pull Apart Loaf

RECIPE 04

Pull Apart Loaf

by DINNER IN 321

Ready In 50 minutesPrep Time 10 minutesCook Time 40 minutesServes 8 servings

INGREDIENTS

  • 16.3 oz can Pillsbury Grands Southern Biscuits halved horizontally
  • ¼ cup Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cinnadust, see note
  • 1 cup apple butter
  • 1 cup peeled and chopped apples
  • 1 large egg
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
  • 1 ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon

FROSTING

  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
  • ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter or spritz with non-stick spray a 9”x5” or 8”x4” loaf pan.
  2. In a small bowl, stir together apple butter, apples, egg, brown sugar, vanilla and pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon.
  3. Split the biscuits horizontally by gently peeling them apart at the middle layer.
  4. To build the loaf, tilt the pan at a slightly upward angle on one short end. Create the loaf layers by starting with a biscuit dough halve that’s been coated on both sides with Cinnadust. Lay the dough inside the pan on the short side laying on the counter. Add a tablespoon of the apple butter mixture on top of the dough in the center. Repeat these layers, coated biscuit then apple butter mixture, ending with the last coated biscuit at the top short of the loaf pan.
  5. Bake 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is cooked through. The apple butter apple area will still be tender, but cooked.
  6. For the frosting, place cream cheese, powdered sugar, maple syrup, vanilla and pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon in a medium bowl. Mix with a hand mixer until smooth and creamy.
  7. Spread the frosting on top of the golden brown loaf.
Meatballs
Meatballs

RECIPE 05

Meatballs

by TN STYLED (@TNSTYLED)

Prep Time 5-10 minutes

INGREDIENTS

  • ½ cup apple butter
  • ½ cup barbecue sauce
  • ⅓ cup apple Cider
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 40 ounce bag frozen pre-cooked meatballs
  1. Place all of the ingredients together in a slow cooker.
  2. Mix together so the meatballs are coated. (You can also combine the sauce ingredients in a separate bowl, but why make a mess if you don’t have to, haha.)
  3. Cook on low for 2-3 hours. Serve warm and enjoy!
Brie Bites
Brie Bites

RECIPE 06

Brie Bites

Ready In 28 minutesPrep Time 15 minutesCook Time 13 minutesServes 18 bites

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 tube crescent rolls, 8 ounces
  • 4 ounces brie cheese
  • ⅓ cup homemade apple butter
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a mini muffin pan.
  2. Unroll the crescent rolls and gently press the seams together. Cut the dough into 18 rectangles. Place each rectangle into a cup of the mini tin. Do not worry if the dough does not go up all sides of the cup.
  3. Cut the brie into 18 small pieces. Place a piece into each of the dough-filled muffin cups. Top each with about a teaspoon of apple butter.
  4. Bake for 11-13 minutes or until the dough is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
  5. Let rest for 1-2 minutes to allow the cheese to stop bubbling, then immediately remove the bites from the muffin tin. Serve warm, garnished with chives if desired.
Chai Spiced Bread
Chai Spiced Bread

RECIPE 07

Chai Spiced Bread

by HALF BAKED HARVEST

Ready In 1 hour 25 minutesPrep Time 25 minutesCook Time 1 hourServes 8 servings

INGREDIENTS

  • CHAI SPICE:
  • 4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp ground cardamom
  • ½ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
  • ½ tsp all-spice
  • ½ tsp ground cloves
  • ⅛ tsp ground black pepper
  • BATTER:
  • 1 stick (½ cup) salted butter, melted
  • ¾ cup + 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • ⅓ cup apple butter
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups whole wheat or all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 Honeycrisp apple, thinly sliced or chopped
  • 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature

CHAI SWIRL

  • ½ cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp salted butter, melted
  1. To make the chai spice: in a shallow bowl, combine all the spices.
  2. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9x5 inch bread pan with parchment paper.
  3. In a bowl, whisk together the melted butter, ¾ cup brown sugar, the yogurt, apple butter, eggs, and vanilla. Add the flour, 1 tablespoon chai spice, the baking powder, and salt. Mix until fully combined.
  4. Toss the apples with 1 tablespoon brown sugar and 2 teaspoons chai spice. Mix the apples into the batter. Dollop the cream cheese over the batter and give it a gentle stir, don’t over-mix it.
  5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
  6. To make the swirl: mix the butter, brown sugar, flour, and 1-2 teaspoons of chai spice. Arrange the clumps over the batter. Bake for 60-70 minutes or until the center is set. If the top is browning too quickly, cover with foil halfway through cooking.
  7. Remove, slice, and enjoy with butter and flaked sea salt.
Snickerdoodles
Snickerdoodles

RECIPE 08

Snickerdoodles

by MADEBYMAL_

Prep Time ~1 hour

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 stick vegan butter, softened
  • ¼ cup apple butter
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ¾ tsp cream of tartar
  • 1 ¼ cup all purpose flour
  • 1 ¼ tsp cinnamon
  • ⅛ tsp nutmeg
  • pinch of salt

CINNAMON SUGAR

  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 2 ½ tsp cinnamon
  • pinch of nutmeg
  1. In a bowl combine the softened vegan butter and brown sugar.
  2. Once creamy, add the apple butter, vanilla extract, and salt.
  3. Next add the baking soda, cream of tartar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and flour.
  4. Mix until just combined and chill dough in fridge for 30-60 minutes.
  5. Make the cinnamon sugar by combining both ingredients together in a small bowl.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a pan with parchment paper or a reusable baking mat.
  7. Roll dough into small balls and coat in cinnamon sugar.
  8. Place on baking sheet (no need to press down dough, it will spread).
  9. Bake for 9-11 minutes or until edges are just set. They will continue to bake out of the oven on the sheet!
  10. Once cool, store in a tupperware container.
Cinnamon French Toast Sticks
Cinnamon French Toast Sticks

RECIPE 09

Cinnamon French Toast Sticks

by HALF BAKED HARVEST

Ready In 40 minutesPrep Time 20 minutesCook Time 20 minutesServes 8 servings

INGREDIENTS

  • 16 slices thick cut, whole grain bread/brioche bread
  • 6 tablespoons salted butter
  • 1 cup milk
  • 4 eggs
  • ⅓ cup apple butter (or try pumpkin butter)
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ cup granulated sugar (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon (optional)
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Cut each slice of bread into 1-inch wide “sticks”.
  3. Add the butter to a skillet set over medium heat. Cook until the butter begins to brown, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from the heat and transfer to a heatproof bowl. Whisk in the milk, eggs, apple butter, and vanilla. Dunk each breadstick into the batter. Remove, allowing any excess to drip off back into the bowl. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining bread, try to use most of the batter.
  4. Mix the sugar and cinnamon together. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar over the sticks. Bake for 10 minutes, flip, and sprinkle with the remaining sugar. Bake 10-15 minutes more, or until lightly golden. This step is optional if you’d prefer a less sweet option.
  5. Serve warm with maple syrup for dipping and dunking.
Old Bay Chicken Wings
Old Bay Chicken Wings

RECIPE 10 NEW FOR 2026

Old Bay Chicken Wings

by A KEVIN GROLIG HOME TEAM ORIGINAL

Ready In 1 hourPrep Time 10 minutesCook Time 45 minutesServes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 lbs chicken wings, split and patted dry
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp Old Bay seasoning, plus more for dusting
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)
  • celery sticks, to serve

THE GLAZE

  • ½ cup apple butter
  • 2 tbsp hot sauce
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F and set a rack over a foil-lined baking sheet.
  2. Toss the wings with the baking powder, salt, and Old Bay until evenly coated. Arrange in a single layer.
  3. Bake 40-45 minutes, flipping once halfway, until deep golden and crisp.
  4. Meanwhile, simmer the glaze ingredients in a small saucepan for 3-4 minutes, until glossy and just thickened.
  5. Toss the hot wings in the glaze, pile onto a platter, and finish with sesame seeds and one more dusting of Old Bay. Maryland, meet apple butter.
Grilled Cheese
Grilled Cheese

RECIPE 11 NEW FOR 2026

Grilled Cheese

by A KEVIN GROLIG HOME TEAM ORIGINAL

Ready In 15 minutesPrep Time 5 minutesCook Time 8 minutesServes 2 sandwiches

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 slices sourdough or whole grain bread
  • 2 tbsp apple butter
  • 4 oz sharp cheddar, sliced
  • 2 oz brie (optional, but do it)
  • ½ crisp apple, sliced paper thin
  • 2 tbsp salted butter, softened
  1. Spread the apple butter on the inside of every slice of bread.
  2. Layer the cheddar, brie, and apple slices on two of the slices. Close the sandwiches and butter the outsides.
  3. Cook in a skillet over medium heat, 3-4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until deep golden and the cheese is fully melted.
  4. Rest one minute, slice on the diagonal, and serve hot. Tomato soup on the side is not required, but it is correct.
Overnight Oats
Overnight Oats

RECIPE 12 NEW FOR 2026

Overnight Oats

by A KEVIN GROLIG HOME TEAM ORIGINAL

Ready In 5 min + overnightPrep Time 5 minutesServes 1 jar

INGREDIENTS

  • ½ cup rolled oats
  • ½ cup milk of choice
  • ¼ cup Greek yogurt
  • 1 tbsp chia seeds
  • 2 tbsp apple butter, plus more to top
  • pinch of cinnamon and salt
  • diced apple and toasted pecans, to top
  1. Stir the oats, milk, yogurt, chia, cinnamon, and salt together in a jar.
  2. Swirl in the apple butter. Do not overmix; the ribbons are the point.
  3. Cover and refrigerate overnight, or at least 4 hours.
  4. In the morning, top with another spoonful of apple butter, diced apple, and toasted pecans. Breakfast, handled.

Cooked something good? Text Kevin a photo. Favorite recipes earn a page in next year’s book.

Text 240.793.7495
From the same kitchen table

The jar is a thank-you. This is the rest.

Every fall Kevin hand-delivers McCutcheon’s Apple Butter to clients, friends, and neighbors across Montgomery County. The rest of the year he sells their homes. If you are curious what that looks like, start here.

THE RECIPE BOOK Download the PDF Keep the whole book on your phone for the kitchen counter, every recipe in one file. YOUR HOME What is my home worth? A real number from real Montgomery County sales, not an online estimate. FACE TO FACE Talk with Kevin Grab 30 minutes on his calendar. Bring the apple butter questions too.

Kevin Grolig · REALTOR® · Compass · Call or text 240.793.7495

Kevin@KevinGrolig.com

The Kevin Grolig Home Team, a fall tradition

Kevin’s Favorite Apple Butter Recipes

Twelve ways through a jar of McCutcheon’s Apple Butter, slow-cooked in Frederick, Maryland since 1938. Three recipes are brand-new this year.

Get the book as a PDF

Breakfast · Dinner · Dessert · Beverage · And then some

Kevin Grolig in his kitchen
Where the delivery route ends and the cooking starts. Montgomery County, Maryland
Twelve recipes, one jar

What do I do with my apple butter?

The question Kevin gets every fall, answered. Pick a recipe below, or start at the ribs and work your way to the old fashioned.

Baby Back Ribs
Baby Back Ribs

RECIPE 01

Baby Back Ribs

by HOST THE TOAST

Ready In 3 hours 35 minutesPrep Time 20 minutesCook Time 3 hours 15 minutesServes 6-8 servings

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 racks baby back ribs
  • ¼ cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon garlic salt
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon celery salt
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon white pepper
  • ½ cup apple butter
  • ½ cup apple cider
  • ¼ cup maple syrup

FOR THE SAUCE

  • 1 cup prepared barbecue sauce (I used Sweet Baby Ray’s Honey Chipotle)
  • ½ cup apple butter
  1. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
  2. Mix together the brown sugar and all of the dry remaining spices. Set aside one tablespoon worth of the well-combined spices to add to your apple butter mixture later.
  3. Remove the membrane from the underside of each rack of ribs. (It may help to use a butter knife to get under the membrane and then use your hands to pull it off once you can fit a finger underneath.)
  4. Place the ribs on a rimmed baking sheet and rub with the spice mix. Bake, meaty side up, for 2 ½ hours.
  5. Mix together the apple cider, apple butter, maple syrup, and tablespoon of spice. Pour over the ribs and turn to coat. Cover well with foil and bake for an additional hour.
  6. To finish the ribs, heat up the grill and mix together the apple butter and barbecue sauce.
  7. Place the ribs on the grill and brush them with barbecue sauce, turning and brushing until they’ve glazed, about 15 minutes. Let them rest for 10 minutes and then serve. (If you don’t have access to a grill, feel free to finish them under the broiler.)
Smoked Old Fashioned
Smoked Old Fashioned

RECIPE 02

Smoked Old Fashioned

by NIKKI SIPS (@NIKKI.SIPS)

Prep Time 5-10 minutes

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 oz of apple butter + ¼ oz of water (combine for easier pouring)
  • 2 oz bourbon
  • 3 dashes angostura bitters
  • 3 dashes cinnamon bitters
  • ½ oz apple cider
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • Bar torch
  • 3 apple slices
  1. In your mixing tin, add apple butter/water, bourbon, apple cider, ice, and both bitters.
  2. Stir for 8 seconds.
  3. Smoke your glass with a cinnamon stick and fill with ice.
  4. Pour cocktail over ice and garnish with apple slices and a cinnamon stick.
Chutney
Chutney

RECIPE 03

Chutney

by SHILPI JOSHI

Ready In 5 minutesServes 12 servings

INGREDIENTS

  • 17 oz apple butter
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 5 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp cumin coriander powder
  • 1 ½ tsp red chilli powder
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • ¼ cup water
  1. Measure out and add all ingredients to a bowl.
  2. Mix well, adjust water to make it thinner if that is your preference!
Pull Apart Loaf
Pull Apart Loaf

RECIPE 04

Pull Apart Loaf

by DINNER IN 321

Ready In 50 minutesPrep Time 10 minutesCook Time 40 minutesServes 8 servings

INGREDIENTS

  • 16.3 oz can Pillsbury Grands Southern Biscuits halved horizontally
  • ¼ cup Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cinnadust, see note
  • 1 cup apple butter
  • 1 cup peeled and chopped apples
  • 1 large egg
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
  • 1 ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon

FROSTING

  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
  • ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter or spritz with non-stick spray a 9”x5” or 8”x4” loaf pan.
  2. In a small bowl, stir together apple butter, apples, egg, brown sugar, vanilla and pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon.
  3. Split the biscuits horizontally by gently peeling them apart at the middle layer.
  4. To build the loaf, tilt the pan at a slightly upward angle on one short end. Create the loaf layers by starting with a biscuit dough halve that’s been coated on both sides with Cinnadust. Lay the dough inside the pan on the short side laying on the counter. Add a tablespoon of the apple butter mixture on top of the dough in the center. Repeat these layers, coated biscuit then apple butter mixture, ending with the last coated biscuit at the top short of the loaf pan.
  5. Bake 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is cooked through. The apple butter apple area will still be tender, but cooked.
  6. For the frosting, place cream cheese, powdered sugar, maple syrup, vanilla and pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon in a medium bowl. Mix with a hand mixer until smooth and creamy.
  7. Spread the frosting on top of the golden brown loaf.
Meatballs
Meatballs

RECIPE 05

Meatballs

by TN STYLED (@TNSTYLED)

Prep Time 5-10 minutes

INGREDIENTS

  • ½ cup apple butter
  • ½ cup barbecue sauce
  • ⅓ cup apple Cider
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 40 ounce bag frozen pre-cooked meatballs
  1. Place all of the ingredients together in a slow cooker.
  2. Mix together so the meatballs are coated. (You can also combine the sauce ingredients in a separate bowl, but why make a mess if you don’t have to, haha.)
  3. Cook on low for 2-3 hours. Serve warm and enjoy!
Brie Bites
Brie Bites

RECIPE 06

Brie Bites

Ready In 28 minutesPrep Time 15 minutesCook Time 13 minutesServes 18 bites

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 tube crescent rolls, 8 ounces
  • 4 ounces brie cheese
  • ⅓ cup homemade apple butter
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a mini muffin pan.
  2. Unroll the crescent rolls and gently press the seams together. Cut the dough into 18 rectangles. Place each rectangle into a cup of the mini tin. Do not worry if the dough does not go up all sides of the cup.
  3. Cut the brie into 18 small pieces. Place a piece into each of the dough-filled muffin cups. Top each with about a teaspoon of apple butter.
  4. Bake for 11-13 minutes or until the dough is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
  5. Let rest for 1-2 minutes to allow the cheese to stop bubbling, then immediately remove the bites from the muffin tin. Serve warm, garnished with chives if desired.
Chai Spiced Bread
Chai Spiced Bread

RECIPE 07

Chai Spiced Bread

by HALF BAKED HARVEST

Ready In 1 hour 25 minutesPrep Time 25 minutesCook Time 1 hourServes 8 servings

INGREDIENTS

  • CHAI SPICE:
  • 4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp ground cardamom
  • ½ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
  • ½ tsp all-spice
  • ½ tsp ground cloves
  • ⅛ tsp ground black pepper
  • BATTER:
  • 1 stick (½ cup) salted butter, melted
  • ¾ cup + 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • ⅓ cup apple butter
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups whole wheat or all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 Honeycrisp apple, thinly sliced or chopped
  • 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature

CHAI SWIRL

  • ½ cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp salted butter, melted
  1. To make the chai spice: in a shallow bowl, combine all the spices.
  2. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9x5 inch bread pan with parchment paper.
  3. In a bowl, whisk together the melted butter, ¾ cup brown sugar, the yogurt, apple butter, eggs, and vanilla. Add the flour, 1 tablespoon chai spice, the baking powder, and salt. Mix until fully combined.
  4. Toss the apples with 1 tablespoon brown sugar and 2 teaspoons chai spice. Mix the apples into the batter. Dollop the cream cheese over the batter and give it a gentle stir, don’t over-mix it.
  5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
  6. To make the swirl: mix the butter, brown sugar, flour, and 1-2 teaspoons of chai spice. Arrange the clumps over the batter. Bake for 60-70 minutes or until the center is set. If the top is browning too quickly, cover with foil halfway through cooking.
  7. Remove, slice, and enjoy with butter and flaked sea salt.
Snickerdoodles
Snickerdoodles

RECIPE 08

Snickerdoodles

by MADEBYMAL_

Prep Time ~1 hour

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 stick vegan butter, softened
  • ¼ cup apple butter
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ¾ tsp cream of tartar
  • 1 ¼ cup all purpose flour
  • 1 ¼ tsp cinnamon
  • ⅛ tsp nutmeg
  • pinch of salt

CINNAMON SUGAR

  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 2 ½ tsp cinnamon
  • pinch of nutmeg
  1. In a bowl combine the softened vegan butter and brown sugar.
  2. Once creamy, add the apple butter, vanilla extract, and salt.
  3. Next add the baking soda, cream of tartar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and flour.
  4. Mix until just combined and chill dough in fridge for 30-60 minutes.
  5. Make the cinnamon sugar by combining both ingredients together in a small bowl.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a pan with parchment paper or a reusable baking mat.
  7. Roll dough into small balls and coat in cinnamon sugar.
  8. Place on baking sheet (no need to press down dough, it will spread).
  9. Bake for 9-11 minutes or until edges are just set. They will continue to bake out of the oven on the sheet!
  10. Once cool, store in a tupperware container.
Cinnamon French Toast Sticks
Cinnamon French Toast Sticks

RECIPE 09

Cinnamon French Toast Sticks

by HALF BAKED HARVEST

Ready In 40 minutesPrep Time 20 minutesCook Time 20 minutesServes 8 servings

INGREDIENTS

  • 16 slices thick cut, whole grain bread/brioche bread
  • 6 tablespoons salted butter
  • 1 cup milk
  • 4 eggs
  • ⅓ cup apple butter (or try pumpkin butter)
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ cup granulated sugar (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon (optional)
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Cut each slice of bread into 1-inch wide “sticks”.
  3. Add the butter to a skillet set over medium heat. Cook until the butter begins to brown, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from the heat and transfer to a heatproof bowl. Whisk in the milk, eggs, apple butter, and vanilla. Dunk each breadstick into the batter. Remove, allowing any excess to drip off back into the bowl. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining bread, try to use most of the batter.
  4. Mix the sugar and cinnamon together. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar over the sticks. Bake for 10 minutes, flip, and sprinkle with the remaining sugar. Bake 10-15 minutes more, or until lightly golden. This step is optional if you’d prefer a less sweet option.
  5. Serve warm with maple syrup for dipping and dunking.
Old Bay Chicken Wings
Old Bay Chicken Wings

RECIPE 10 NEW FOR 2026

Old Bay Chicken Wings

by A KEVIN GROLIG HOME TEAM ORIGINAL

Ready In 1 hourPrep Time 10 minutesCook Time 45 minutesServes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 lbs chicken wings, split and patted dry
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp Old Bay seasoning, plus more for dusting
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)
  • celery sticks, to serve

THE GLAZE

  • ½ cup apple butter
  • 2 tbsp hot sauce
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F and set a rack over a foil-lined baking sheet.
  2. Toss the wings with the baking powder, salt, and Old Bay until evenly coated. Arrange in a single layer.
  3. Bake 40-45 minutes, flipping once halfway, until deep golden and crisp.
  4. Meanwhile, simmer the glaze ingredients in a small saucepan for 3-4 minutes, until glossy and just thickened.
  5. Toss the hot wings in the glaze, pile onto a platter, and finish with sesame seeds and one more dusting of Old Bay. Maryland, meet apple butter.
Grilled Cheese
Grilled Cheese

RECIPE 11 NEW FOR 2026

Grilled Cheese

by A KEVIN GROLIG HOME TEAM ORIGINAL

Ready In 15 minutesPrep Time 5 minutesCook Time 8 minutesServes 2 sandwiches

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 slices sourdough or whole grain bread
  • 2 tbsp apple butter
  • 4 oz sharp cheddar, sliced
  • 2 oz brie (optional, but do it)
  • ½ crisp apple, sliced paper thin
  • 2 tbsp salted butter, softened
  1. Spread the apple butter on the inside of every slice of bread.
  2. Layer the cheddar, brie, and apple slices on two of the slices. Close the sandwiches and butter the outsides.
  3. Cook in a skillet over medium heat, 3-4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until deep golden and the cheese is fully melted.
  4. Rest one minute, slice on the diagonal, and serve hot. Tomato soup on the side is not required, but it is correct.
Overnight Oats
Overnight Oats

RECIPE 12 NEW FOR 2026

Overnight Oats

by A KEVIN GROLIG HOME TEAM ORIGINAL

Ready In 5 min + overnightPrep Time 5 minutesServes 1 jar

INGREDIENTS

  • ½ cup rolled oats
  • ½ cup milk of choice
  • ¼ cup Greek yogurt
  • 1 tbsp chia seeds
  • 2 tbsp apple butter, plus more to top
  • pinch of cinnamon and salt
  • diced apple and toasted pecans, to top
  1. Stir the oats, milk, yogurt, chia, cinnamon, and salt together in a jar.
  2. Swirl in the apple butter. Do not overmix; the ribbons are the point.
  3. Cover and refrigerate overnight, or at least 4 hours.
  4. In the morning, top with another spoonful of apple butter, diced apple, and toasted pecans. Breakfast, handled.

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Text 240.793.7495
From the same kitchen table

The jar is a thank-you. This is the rest.

Every fall Kevin hand-delivers McCutcheon’s Apple Butter to clients, friends, and neighbors across Montgomery County. The rest of the year he sells their homes. If you are curious what that looks like, start here.

THE RECIPE BOOK Download the PDF Keep the whole book on your phone for the kitchen counter, every recipe in one file. YOUR HOME What is my home worth? A real number from real Montgomery County sales, not an online estimate. FACE TO FACE Talk with Kevin Grab 30 minutes on his calendar. Bring the apple butter questions too.

Kevin Grolig · REALTOR® · Compass · Call or text 240.793.7495

Kevin@KevinGrolig.com