Invest your apple harvest in something you can enjoy all year long! Only all natural ingredients go in this set-it-and-forget-it Slow Cooker Apple Butter, and it’s so good, you’re going to be spreading it on everything!
I didn’t know what to expect the first time I tried apple butter. I mean – “apple butter.”
I had no idea what it was really made of, or if it was going to be sweet or tart or greasy like the actual butter sticks my Nana hoarded in the fall in preparation for her Christmas baking.
Oh, who am I kidding, she had butter in the house all. the. time. She used to put it on and/or in everything. And now, so do I. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, as it were.
Badum-tish.
JUST TAKE ME TO THE SLOW COOKER APPLE BUTTER ALREADY!
If you’d rather skip my (pretty darn helpful) tips and tricks, essential cooking info, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to this deliciously easy apple butter recipe, just scroll right on down to the bottom of the page where you can find the printable recipe card!
Anyway, as far as apple butter was concerned, all I knew for sure was that it looked like burnt applesauce. Of course, my apprehension disappeared as soon as I opened the jar and caught that heavenly whiff of spiced apples.
I remember smearing it on a piece of toast, then licking the butter knife clean. That was all it took to hook me.
Nowadays, I try to avoid high fructose corn syrup as much as possible, so my days of buying those big delicious jars of apple butter at the store whenever I get a craving are over.
Luckily, I’m a lover of that beautiful wave of satisfaction you get when you do something yourself, so devoting my slow cooker to a half day of cooking down a few pounds of apples is completely worth it.
What’s The Difference Between Applesauce and Apple Butter?
Both applesauce and apple butter are extremely similar in ingredients as well as cooking method. Applesauce is usually cooked with fewer spices than apple butter, creating a more pure apple flavor.
Apple butter is cooked much longer than applesauce, creating a darker, more intensely spiced apple-flavored spread.
Which Apples Are Best For Crockpot Apple Butter?
I personally used half Honeycrisp and half Gala, but any soft, sweeter apple will be equally delish. Try
- Golden Delicious
- Fuji
- MacIntosh
What To Serve Apple Butter On
- Toast, biscuits or English muffins
- Crackers
- Muffins or scones
- Ice cream
- Yogurt
- Waffles & Pancakes
- As a filling for cake or cupcakes
How To Make Homemade Crockpot Apple Butter
First, core and chop
your apples. Don’t bother peeling them – after half a day in your slow cooker
, they disintegrate into nothing. Plop them into your slow cooker with some sugars, spices, and a bit of salt. Stir everything up a bit, then cook on low for 2 hours.
When the timer goes off, stir the contents of the cooker. Set that timer for another 8 hours and go about your day.
This time when the timer goes off, add some lemon juice and vanilla extract. Take a wooden spoon, potato masher, or immersion blender
to the apples. Depending on how chunky you want your apple butter, puree it up to your liking. Taste it, and add more sugar if you’d like.
Finally, leave the lid off and cook the apple butter another 1-2 hours so it thickens up.
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Slow Cooker Apple Butter
Ingredients
- 3 ½ pounds apples about 10 medium-sized; cored, and chopped
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Place prepared apples in a large slow cooker.
- Combine sugars, spices, and salt in a small bowl and pour over apples, stirring to distribute. Cook on low for 2 hours, then stir again to coat the apples with the juice that will be present.
- Cook 8-9 more hours on low. Stir, mashing the softened apples with your spoon, then mix in lemon juice and vanilla. Carefully taste and add more sugar if desired (I find it to be perfect with this ratio.)
- Leave the lid off the slow cooker and continue to cook 1-2 more hours to thicken the apple butter.
- While apple butter is still warm, use an immersion blender to smooth out chunks to desired consistency, or place in a blender and pulse.
- Serve on crackers, toast, English muffins, pancakes, on a peanut butter sandwich, over ice cream, or just enjoy it with your spoon!
Nutrition
Monday: Appetizers and Drinks
Apple Brie Roll Up by Family Around the Table
Apple Cider Margaritas by A Palatable Pastime
Apple Cheddar Pinwheels by Cooking With Carlee
Apple Pie Martini by Amy’s Cooking Adventures
Apple Pie Smoothie by Feeding Big
Caramel Apple Float by Jolene’s Recipe Journal
Caramel Apple Martini by A Day in the Life on the Farm
Caramel Appletini by The Speckled Palate
Hot and Boozy Caramel Apple Cider by Love My Messy Messy Mess
Hot Fireball Apple Cider by Grumpy’s Honeybunch
Mulled Apple Shrub Mule by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
Pumpkin Spice Crockpot Apple Sauce by I Say Nomato
Red Hot Apple Cider by New South Charm
Roasted Apple and Acorn Squash Soup by Caroline’s Cooking
Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Cider by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Tuesday: Main Dishes and Sides
Apple Cheddar Grilled Cheese by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
Apple Cider Bread by I Say Nomato
Apple-Glazed Pork Chops with Raisins by Love My Messy Messy Mess
Apple Streusel Muffins by Family Around The Table
Chicken Salad with Apples and Cranberries by Feeding Big
Chopped Apple Salad by A Day in the Life on the Farm
Fall Apples Become Yummy Applesauce for the Year by Crafty Mama in ME
Harvest Brats with Apple Slaw by Corn, Beans, Pigs and Kids
Sausage Stuffed Apples by A Palatable Pastime
Sage Pork Chops with Apple Pan Gravy by Amy’s Cooking Adventures
Scalloped Apples Casserole by Red Cottage Chronicles
Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Pork by Cooking With Carlee
Southern Style Fried Apples by New South Charm
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Wednesday: Sweet Treats
Apple and Nut Drop Cookies by A Day in the Life on the Farm
Apple Brown Betty by Corn, Beans, Pigs and Kids
Apple Cider Caramel Sauce by Cooking With Carlee
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bread by Feeding Big
Apple Dumplings by A Palatable Pastime
Apple Oatmeal Cookies by Jolene’s Recipe Journal
Apple Pie & Cinnamon Things by Crafty Mama in ME
Apple Pie in a Jar by Grumpy’s Honeybunch
Apple Swirl Buns by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
Baked Apples with Chocolate and Caramel by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Brown Butter Apples by Cricket’s Confections
Mini Apple Pie with Cheddar Crust by Amy’s Cooking Adventures
Nana’s Apple Pie by The Crumby Cupcake
Sparkling Cider Pound Cake by Family Around The Table
Thursday: Apple Projects
Apple Bacon Jam by Caroline’s Cooking
Apple Cinnamon Pancake Mix in a Jar by A Palatable Pastime
Apple Cinnamon Stovetop Potpourri by Amy’s Cooking Adventures
Apple Suncatchers by Crafty Mama in ME
Caramel Apple in a Jar by Family Around The Table
Homemade Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Packets by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
Knit Apple Hat by Jolene’s Recipe Journal
Friday: Anything Apple Goes
1 Minute Caramel Apple Dip by Corn, Beans, Pigs and Kids
Apple Brown Betty by A Palatable Pastime
Apple Bundt Cake With Cider Caramel by Cooking With Carlee
Apple Cinnamon Shortcakes by Jolene’s Recipe Journal
Apple Crisp Shortbread Bars by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Apple Fritters by Grumpy’s Honeybunch
Apple Pie Skillet by A Day in the Life on the Farm
Caramelized Apple and Bacon Jam Crostini by Caroline’s Cooking
Creamy Peanut Butter Apple Dip by New South Charm
Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Apple and Peppered Bacon by Feeding Big
Individual Apple Crisp by Family Around The Table
Smoky Apple Pulled Pork by Amy’s Cooking Adventures
Slow Cooker Apple Butter by The Crumby Cupcake
Carlee says
The apple butter couldn’t hurt, that is for sure! I haven’t tried apple butter in quite some time, I really do need to make a batch. You sold me!
Megan @ MegUnprocessed says
Those apples looks so fresh! And this recipe is awesome!