Slow Cooker Apple Butter

5 from 20

Slow Cooker Apple Butter

A sweet, rich, caramelized spread, Slow Cooker Apple Butter is so easy to make with very little prep. Just a spoonful is perfect on your morning toast and pancakes, or savory dishes like pork and turkey. It stores well in the fridge, freezer, or can be canned for longer term storage, and makes a great edible gift!

See below the recipe card for step-by-step images.

Prep Time10

Cook Time12

Total Time12 10

Course: Condiment

Cuisine: American

Keyword: apple butter in slow cooker, crock pot apple butter, homemade apple butter

Servings: cups

Ingredients

6 & 1/2 pounds whole apples*
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla

Instructions

Coat a 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick spray.
Core and dice the apples into small 1" cubes—no need to peel them!
Combine the apples, both sugars, and all the spices in the slow cooker; stir to coat.
Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low for 10 hours, stirring once halfway through, until the apples are tender and dark brown.
When done, remove the lid and stir in the vanilla.
Using a handheld immersion blender, puree the apples until completely smooth and no chunks are left***
Now keep the lid off, switch to high heat, and continue to cook for another 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until thickened and desired consistency is reached (the longer it cooks, the thicker it will get.)
Spoon into clean glass jars, let cool completely, then fasten with the lids.
Use as desired or store for later (storage instructions and ways to use it are in the article.)

Video

Notes

*There is no need to peel the apples, which is great since there's so much nutrition in the peel. Once it's all blended, you can't feel or taste the peel at all. Not peeling the apples also saves a TON of time!

**You can replace the spices with 1½ to 2 tbsp of apple pie spice.

***If you don't have an immersion blender, you'll need to transfer the apples and all the liquid to a blender and blend until smooth, then transfer back to the crockpot.

Make gingerbread apple butter instead with 1 tablespoon of ginger, a teaspoon of allspice, and 1/2 cup of molasses for a spread that tastes just like a gingerbread cookie. Or make it boozy by adding dark or spiced rum to the mixture.

Nutrition