Homemade Slow Cooker Apple Butter

_{A simple recipe for Homemade Apple Butter that you can make in the slow cooker. Use as a spread, a syrup, or in your fall recipes! This is a large-batch apple butter recipe.}

Homemade Slow Cooker Apple Butter

Prep Time: 45 Minutes Cook Time: 12 Hours Total Time: 12 Hours, 45 Minutes Servings: 6 Pint Jars

Is it officially fall yet? It must be if we are looking to make Apple Butter. Who needs an official date or is it to be considered fall? Fall is my favorite season. Filled with apples, pumpkins, cinnamon, hot apple cider and so much more.

Apple butter is one of my favorite things to add to my morning toast or bagel. It is also autumn’s sweetest sensation, stealing the show as a condiment that can be used alone or in addition to your meal.

Making slow-cooked apple butter is great for preserving apples, the using the canning method to store them for later use. And if you are a bug fan of apples you will also want to check out this Apple Cinnamon Crumb Cake Recipe.

What do you do with Apple Butter?

The quick answer. Use it on everything! Spread it on toast, pour it over vanilla ice cream as a treat, or use it as a condiment and serve with your favorite pork chop recipe. My kids love it on their pancakes in the morning. The list of uses is endless.

Apple butter consistency is like a thick gravy. However, the longer you cook down, the thicker it will get. But be careful you can burn apple butter.

Ingredients Needed

• 7 lbs of Apples (your favorite variety – I used a mixture of Granny Smith & Fuji)
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 tbsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• 1 cup apple cider
• ¼ tsp cloves
• 1 ½ tbsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp Salt

How to Make Apple Butter  

STEP ONE: Peel, core, and dice all the apples into cubes then combine with the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, apple cider, cloves, and salt in a bowl until well combined.

Thanks to this apple peeler and my slow cooker it went a lot smoother.   

STEP TWO: Place all combined ingredients into your crock pot on the low setting for 10 hours, stirring it every couple of hours or so, and break up large chunks as it cooks. You will want to take sneak peeks throughout the day.

STEP THREE: Once you have reached ten hours add in your vanilla and continue to cook for an additional 2 hours. If your apple butter is not at your desired thickness use your immersion blender to puree it until it’s completely smooth and lump-free.

STEP FOUR: After cooking, let cool. Then place it into containers that can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer.

Just a note: If you are not preserving your apple butter by canning method (Please follow your pressure cooker instructions or Ball Canning book) then refrigeration is the next best thing.

Your apple butter will keep for a month or longer in your refrigerator. If you love making pantry staples at home, you will want to try making your own homemade bisquick mix too.

What Apples Are Best For Apple Butter

I like to use a blend of sweet & tart apples such as Honeycrisp, Empire, or any in-season apple, for that matter. If you are not from the Northeast, you may have a hard time getting each. 

Macintosh, Red Delicious, or Gala are easily accessible and just as delicious. If you choose to use a sweeter apple, you may want to consider decreasing the amount of sugar used.

Other Fall Favorite Recipes

Pumpkin Spice Mini Cake Doughnuts with Pumpkin Spice Glaze

Mini Pumpkin Pies – Made with Cheese & Crackers

Pumpkin Pie Bread Pudding Made in The Crock-Pot

Homemade Gingerbread Coffee Syrup Recipe

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