Last Updated 10-01-2024
SLOW COOKER APPLE BUTTER — Apples are simmered all day in the slow cooker with cinnamon, nutmeg and other spices to create this sweet, delicious spread.
If you’ve never made Slow Cooker Apple Butter, you’re definitely missing out. Not only does it taste amazing, it’s really easy to make in your slow cooker.
A slice of cinnamon swirl bread topped with some homemade apple butter is a favorite breakfast around here.
If you don’t have an apple peeler/corer/slicer, it’s worth getting one for this recipe alone. Otherwise, you’ll spend quite a while peeling and chopping five pound of apples.
But once your apples are diced, you just cook them all day in the slow cooker with sugar and spices. I find that a mixture of sweet and tart apples works well in this recipe.
I like a smooth apple butter, so I puree mine with an immersion blender when it’s done cooking. But you could certainly leave it chunky if you like.
If you ask me, the best part of making apple butter is that it makes your house smell amazing while it cooks!
This will keep for several weeks in the refrigerator, and it freezes beautifully. I haven’t tried canning it in a water bath, but I imagine that would work as well.
This Slow Cooker Apple Butter makes a great holiday gift for neighbors, and it freezes well, so you can make it ahead of time to give away later. If you don’t eat it all yourself, that is!
Be sure to save this Slow Cooker Apple Butter recipe to your favorite Pinterest board for later.
What type of apple should I choose? Granny Smith, Cortland and Rome Beauty apples are great for baking and pies. For applesauce, try Braeburn, Jonathon or McIntosh. Gala apples are great from drying.
For more help choosing the perfect apple for your recipes, check out this handy chart.
Appearance: Look for apples that are free of blemishes and bruises and feel firm when you grip them. Dull skin may indicate that an apple is past its prime.
Storing: Put your apples in the refrigerator right away. Store them away from any strong smelling foods so they don’t absorb unpleasant odors. Properly refrigerated apples will keep from 4−6 weeks.
Here’s what you’ll need to make Slow Cooker Apple Butter
- Apples
- Sugar
- Spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt
- Vanilla
Slow Cooker Apple Butter
Ingredients
- 5-6 pounds apples peeled, cored and diced
- 2 cups white sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
Instructions
- Place the diced apples in a lightly greased slow cooker. In a medium bowl, mix the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt and vanilla.
- Pour the mixture over the apples in the slow cooker and mix well. Cover and cook on high for 1 hour. Reduce heat to low and cook 8-10 hours, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is thickened and dark brown.
- Uncover and continue cooking on low 1 hour. Puree with an immersion blender, if desired, to increase smoothness.
- Spoon the mixture into sterile containers. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for up to 6 months.
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Notes
Nutrition
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Who Dished It Up First: Adapted from All Recipes
Emmy
Delicious apple butter, but mine took WAY less time then you call for. Your recipe is telling me this should take 10 to 12 hours to cook and mine was done in 4. It was a good thing I was home while making this!
Suzanne
Yum. Have a feeling we would eat this by the spoonful. Might not make it to the bread!