Slow Cooker Apple Butter
Published on September 27, 2022
Quick Summary
Slow Cooker Apple Butter- this easy homemade apple butter recipe is made in the crockpot with just a few simple ingredients. It is a great way to use up all of the fall apples and your house will smell amazing while it cooks!
Apple butter reminds me of my childhood. My dad would make it every fall to go with his homemade bread. I decided to continue the tradition and make Homemade Apple Butter for our family.
This Slow Cooker Apple Butter is SO easy to make. It does take awhile, but don’t let the time scare you, the slow cooker does the work. It is a very hands-off recipe. And the best part? Your house will smell amazing while the apple butter is cooking. I promise it is better than any fall candle you can buy.
Is Apple Butter Actually Butter?
No, apple butter isn’t real butter. It doesn’t have any dairy in it, it’s concentrated fruit. It is spreadable like butter, but more similar to jam or preserves. The butter name comes from it’s smooth and buttery texture. Apple butter tastes like sweet apples with a hint of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients
- Apples– you will need 6 pounds of apples for this recipe. Honey crisp, Golden delicious, Gala, Fuji, Pink Lady, McIntosh, and Cortland apples are all good options. Kroger always has a great selection of fresh apples. You can use one variety or mix and match! Peel, core, and slice the apples. To speed up the process, you can use an apple peeler that cores the apple at the same time.
- Brown sugar– always pack your brown sugar when measuring.
- Granulated sugar– you need regular white sugar too.
- Spices– cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves! The best fall spices!
- Pinch of salt– just a little!
- Vanilla extract- a must!
How to Make Apple Butter
I love using the slow cooker to make apple butter so it can cook for several hours. Slow cooking the apples allows the apples to release their sugars and caramelize as the mixture cooks. The apple butter will turn dark in color. It is sweet, perfectly spiced, and tastes like fall!
- Place the apple slices in a large bowl. Add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Stir until well combined.
- Place the apple slices in a large slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on high 5 hours, or low 10 hours, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender and dark brown.
- Remove the lid and stir in the vanilla extract. Puree with an immersion blender until smooth.
- Cook on high for an additional 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, so the mixture can thicken.
- Spoon into jars or containers. Let cool and then cover and refrigerate.
How to Store
You can keep homemade apple butter in a sealed jar or container for up to 1 month. To make sure it is fresh, you can smell it, if it has an odd odor or if mold appears, throw it out.
You can also freeze apple butter for up to 3 months. Thaw and enjoy!
You can can apple butter with the water bath method, but I am not a canning expert, and haven’t tried it.
What Do You Use Apple Butter For?
- Spread it on fresh bread, toast, biscuits, bagels, rolls, or muffins.
- Stir it into oatmeal or overnight oats. You can also add a dollop on top of baked oatmeal.
- Use it as a topping for pancakes, waffles, or French toast.
- Spread it on a grilled cheese sandwich.
- Serve with a cheese and crackers or add a small bowl to a cheese board.
- Go savory and brush it on chicken or pork chops.
More Apple Recipes
- Apple Cobbler
- Apple Crumble
- Homemade Applesauce
- Skillet Cinnamon Apples
- Baked Apples
- Apple Cinnamon Muffins
- Apple Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Slow Cooker Apple Butter
Ingredients
- 6 lbs apples, peeled, cored, and sliced*
- 3/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Place the apple slices in a large bowl. Add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Stir until well combined.
- Place the apple slices in a large slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on high 5 hours, or low 10 hours, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender and dark brown.
- Remove the lid and stir in the vanilla extract. Puree with an immersion blender until smooth.
- Cook on high for an additional 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, so the mixture can thicken.
- Spoon into jars or containers. Let cool and then cover and refrigerate for up to 1 month.
- Spread on bread, biscuits, or muffins, stir into yogurt or oatmeal, or top your pancakes, waffles, and French toast with it! It also makes a great gift!
Notes
Nutrition
Have you tried this recipe?
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This sounds delicious! What size slow cooker do you use? Thanks for all of your yummy recipes and inspiration!
I have a 6 quart slow cooker. You are welcome:)
My hubs made apple butter in the pressure cooker last night. I had it in yogurt this morning.
Just finished making apple butter. So easy and tastes wonderful. Putting in canning jars for Christmas thank you
Such a sweet gift.
How many canning jars did you get out of the recipe? Iโm giving as gifts, as well. ๐
When you cook the apple butter mixture for an additional 1.5 to 2 hours so the mixture can thicken โ do you have the crock pot covered or uncovered during that time?
Covered, but stir it occasionally so it doesn’t stick.
Thank you
This is deee-licious! So easy and so yummy! My only suggestion is be sure to start early in the day! I was up until midnight! But oh so worth it! Absolutely love, love, love! Any advice on canning? I have a bumper crop…thanks ever so much
I sometimes do it in the evening and let it cook all night.
After adding the vanilla and blending, do you leave the lid on the crockpot for the final 2 hours ofcook time?
You can put the lid back on.
I have an unexpected appointment and it will mean letting the butter cook for 16 hrs. What should I do? It has been on low for 6 hrs already
I want to make apple butter in my Instant pot set for slow cooking. Your recipe does not add water. Won’t the apples scorch without liquid? Also, the old fashioned recipe I’ve seen called for apples, vinegar, sugar and cinnamon only. I’m confused. What would you suggest?
The slow cooker is gentle enough that the apples donโt scorch. Add a bit of water if you feel you need to. I have done this recipe as written and recommend following it.