Slow Cooker Apple Butter (2024)

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Make a big batch of Slow Cooker Apple Butter for a fraction of what it costs at the store. Makes plenty to give as gifts and enough to stock your freezer. All you need is apples, brown sugar, and spices!

We love making this apple butter and putting on toast in the morning or using it in Apple Butter Pork Chops!

I rarely buy apple butter at the store; the price is always through the roof. With my easy recipe for apple butter in the slow cooker, you will never have to buy it again! This recipe freezes great and makes a great gift. This is not a canning recipe, so be sure to refrigerate or freeze. You may also like my slow cooker caramel apple butter.

What is the difference between applesauce and apple butter?

• Slow Cooker Applesauce is runnier and not blended up to a smooth consistency like apple butter.
• Apple butter has a richer dark color and is spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Apple butter is similar to a jam and great on toast or recipes.

Recipe Ingredients

• Apples – You can use any variety; my favorite is variety is gala or Fuji. I like to use fresh juicy apples; it makes for better apple butter.
• Brown sugar – I add the brown sugar at the beginning of the cooking time. This will deepen the color of the apple butter as it cooks.
• Spices – This is the key to flavorful apple butter. We use cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg in this recipe.

Step-by-step directions

Step 1 – Start with 5 pounds of apples. You can use any variety; I use gala.

Step 2 – Peel, core, slice five pounds of apples and add to a 6-quart or larger slow cooker.

Step 3 – Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.

Step 4 – Stir to coat the apples with the seasonings and brown sugar.

Step 5 – Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 5 hours or LOW for 8-10 hours.

Step 6 – When the cooking time is up, place the apple butter into a blender and place on the lid. Also, place a towel over the top of the cover in case the blender lid leaks. Hold the lid and pulse until smooth. Or, if you have an immersion blender, place it right into the slow cooker and blend until smooth. OR use an immersion blender right in the slow cooker to blend the apple butter.

My apple butter is too thin; how can I thicken it?

• Some apples are juicier than others, and I sometimes have to thicken my apple butter.
• After blending, leave the apple butter in the slow cooker.
• Turn the slow cooker to HIGH and leave the lid off.
• Cook for 45-60 more minutes, stirring often.

How do I serve apple butter?

• Toast or croissants
• Biscuits
• Ice-cream
• Use in milkshakes

Recipes to use up your apple butter:

• Apple Butter Little Smokies
• Slow Cooker Apple Butter Pork Chops
• Slow Cooker Cider Braised Pork Roast
• Apple Butter Snickerdoodles Recipe by Crazy for Crust
• Slow Cooker Apple Butter Meatballs
• Apple Butter Bread recipe by Don’t Sweat the recipe

How to store Apple Butter:

• This is not a canning recipe; canning requires a special recipe and precautions.
• You can store it in small plastic or glass containers and refrigerate it for up to a week.
• Freeze what you know you won’t use right away, leave about an inch of room at the top of your containers or jars. Freeze for up to a year. Straight sided mason jars are freezer safe (not ones with rounded shoulders).

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Try another one of my fruit recipes:

• Slow Cooker Cinnamon Applesauce
• Slow Cooker Applesauce
• Slow Cooker Pumpkin Applesauce
• Slow Cooker Strawberry Applesauce
• Slow Cooker Raspberry Applesauce
• Slow Cooker Banana Jam
• Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Butter