Effortless Homemade Slow Cooker Apple Butter: A Fall Favorite

There’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of apples and warm spices filling your home, especially when it leads to a luscious batch of homemade apple butter. This incredibly easy slow cooker apple butter recipe transforms a surplus of fresh apples into a velvety, flavorful spread with minimal effort. Using just a few simple ingredients and the magic of your slow cooker, you’ll create a rich, thick apple butter that’s perfect for spreading on your favorite muffins, pancakes, toast, or even enjoying by the spoon!

If you find yourself with an abundance of apples after a trip to the orchard or a generous harvest, this slow cooker apple butter recipe is the absolute perfect solution. It’s not only a fantastic way to preserve the bounty of the season but also yields a product far superior in flavor and texture to anything store-bought. Much like its cousin, pumpkin butter, this apple butter is thick enough to spread generously over a piece of artisan toast, yet versatile enough to be incorporated into a myriad of dishes, both sweet and savory. This set-it-and-forget-it approach means you can go about your day while your kitchen fills with the most delightful autumnal scent, culminating in jars of golden-brown goodness.

Why You Will Absolutely Love This Easy Apple Butter Recipe

This homemade apple butter isn’t just a recipe; it’s an experience. Here’s why it will quickly become a cherished staple in your kitchen:

• Only Made with a Few Simple Ingredients: You won’t need a pantry full of exotic items for this recipe. All that’s required are fresh apples, a touch of sugar, classic warming spices, and a pinch of salt. These readily available ingredients combine to create an incredibly complex and satisfying flavor profile. The simplicity of the ingredient list makes this recipe approachable for even novice cooks and keeps your grocery bill low.
• Set It and Forget It Convenience: The slow cooker is the unsung hero of this recipe. Once you’ve prepped your apples and mixed in the spices, simply toss everything into your slow cooker, turn it on, and let it work its magic. This hands-off cooking method means you can dedicate your time to other tasks, or simply relax, while the apples slowly cook down into a rich, flavorful butter. It’s truly a “set it and forget it” process, perfect for busy weekends or even overnight cooking. Plus, your home will be filled with the most incredible, comforting aroma!
• Yields a Generous Batch: This recipe produces approximately 5 cups of delicious apple butter. This large yield is ideal for several reasons. You can enjoy some immediately, freeze portions for later enjoyment, or lovingly gift jars to friends, family, and neighbors. Homemade apple butter makes a thoughtful and much-appreciated present during the fall and holiday seasons. Having a stash in your freezer means you’re always ready for a cozy breakfast or an impromptu dessert.
• Incredibly Versatile for Endless Culinary Creations: The uses for this apple butter extend far beyond toast. Its rich, concentrated apple flavor and smooth texture make it a fantastic addition to both sweet and savory dishes. Stir some apple butter into your morning yogurt or oatmeal for a burst of flavor. Swirl it into a rich cheesecake batter or spoon it over mini cheesecakes for a seasonal twist. Spread it generously over a slice of warm apple bread or use it as a filling for delectable cinnamon rolls. It can even be paired with savory dishes like pork chops or stirred into BBQ sauce for a unique, tangy-sweet kick. And yes, eating it straight from the spoon is a perfectly acceptable (and highly recommended) way to enjoy it!

Essential Recipe Ingredients for Perfect Apple Butter

Crafting the perfect slow cooker apple butter begins with selecting high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that rich, deep flavor and smooth consistency:

• Apples: The star of our show! While you can use a single variety, I highly recommend using a combination of different apples. This blend brings a beautiful complexity to the flavor profile, balancing sweetness with a hint of tartness.
  • Granny Smith: Provides a tartness that cuts through the sweetness and adds a vibrant, fresh apple flavor.
  • Gala: A sweet and crisp apple with a mild flavor, perfect for adding natural sweetness without overpowering.
  • Honeycrisp: Known for its exceptional sweetness and crisp texture, it contributes a lovely depth and juicy essence.
  • Braeburn: Offers a balanced sweet-tart flavor and holds up well during cooking.
  • Fuji: Another sweet and crisp apple that provides a robust apple flavor.

  Aim for about 5 pounds of apples before peeling and coring, as they cook down significantly.

• Sugar: This recipe calls for only 1 ½ cups of sugar in total, which might seem modest for 5 pounds of apples, but I assure you, it’s precisely enough to sweeten the apple butter without making it cloyingly sweet. The long cooking process concentrates the natural sugars in the apples, reducing the need for excessive added sugar. I prefer a combination of granulated sugar and light brown sugar. The granulated sugar provides clean sweetness, while the brown sugar adds a wonderful molasses-like depth and a hint of caramel, enhancing that rich, autumnal flavor. You can adjust the sugar to your taste, adding a little more at the end if you prefer a sweeter butter.
• Cinnamon and Nutmeg: These two spices are the quintessential flavors of fall and are indispensable for authentic apple butter. Ground cinnamon brings a warm, sweet, and slightly woody note, while ground nutmeg offers a subtly spicy, aromatic warmth. Together, they infuse the apple butter with that unmistakable cozy, autumnal taste. Feel free to be generous with these spices; you can always add a bit more to taste at the end of cooking. For an even more complex spice blend, consider adding a pinch of ground cloves, allspice, or ginger.
• Salt: Often overlooked in sweet recipes, just a pinch of salt (about ¼ teaspoon) is crucial here. It doesn’t make the apple butter taste salty; instead, it acts as a flavor enhancer, intensifying the natural apple notes and balancing out the sweetness from the sugars and apples. This small addition makes a remarkable difference in the overall depth and richness of the finished product.

How To Make Perfectly Smooth Slow Cooker Apple Butter

Making homemade apple butter in your slow cooker is a straightforward process, but following these steps ensures a delicious and perfectly textured result:

1. Prepare Your Slow Cooker: Before you begin, lightly spray the inside of your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. This crucial step helps prevent the apples from sticking to the bottom and sides during the long cooking process, making cleanup significantly easier. If you prefer to use a slow cooker liner, that works too, but remember the important caveat regarding immersion blenders (see ‘Cooking Tips’ below).
2. Prep the Apples: First, thoroughly wash your apples. Then, peel, core, and slice all 5 pounds of apples. Uniform slices (about ½-inch thick) will help them cook down more evenly. An apple slicer can indeed make this task much quicker and more efficient, but a good paring knife works just as well. Once prepped, add all the sliced apples directly into your slow cooker.
3. Combine Sugars and Spices: In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together the light brown sugar, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt until they are well combined. This ensures an even distribution of sweetness and spice throughout the apple butter.
4. Coat the Apples: Pour the prepared sugar and spice mixture evenly over the sliced apples in the slow cooker. Stir everything together thoroughly, making sure to coat the apple slices as best as you can. While it doesn’t have to be absolutely perfect, a good coating ensures that the flavors meld together beautifully from the start.

5. Initial Slow Cooking: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on the “low” setting for a generous 10 hours. During this long cooking period, the apples will soften considerably, break down, and release their juices, mingling with the sugars and spices to create a fragrant, chunky apple sauce. After the 10 hours have passed, carefully remove the lid. You’ll notice the apples are very soft. Use a potato masher (or a large fork) to mash any remaining larger chunks of apple until they reach a consistency that’s mostly smooth but still a bit rustic. Recover the slow cooker with the lid and continue to cook for an additional 2 hours on low. This extended cooking time helps to further reduce the liquid and deepen the flavors.
6. Blend to Perfection: After the total 12 hours of cooking, remove the lid. For the smoothest, most luxurious apple butter, use an immersion blender directly in the slow cooker to blend the mixture until it reaches your desired silky-smooth consistency. If you don’t have an immersion blender, carefully transfer the cooked apples in batches to a regular blender. Be sure to use a blender that is vented (most blenders have a removable center cap on the lid) to allow steam to escape, preventing pressure buildup. Blend until perfectly smooth.
7. Thicken (Optional): If you prefer an even thicker apple butter, simply crack the lid of your slow cooker slightly ajar after blending and continue to cook on low for another 30-60 minutes, or until it reaches your desired consistency. This allows more moisture to evaporate.
8. Cool and Store: Once your apple butter is perfectly smooth and has reached your preferred thickness, turn off the slow cooker. Carefully transfer the hot apple butter into clean, heat-proof glass jars or other airtight containers. Allow the apple butter to cool completely to room temperature before placing it in the refrigerator. Cooling it fully prevents condensation from forming and helps maintain its quality.

Creative Ways to Enjoy Your Homemade Apple Butter

The versatility of homemade apple butter is truly remarkable, allowing it to shine in a wide array of culinary applications. Its concentrated apple flavor and smooth texture make it a fantastic ingredient or accompaniment for both sweet and savory dishes. Don’t limit yourself to just toast – explore these delightful ways to incorporate your freshly made apple butter:

• Elegant Topping for Scones: Serve a generous dollop of apple butter on warm, freshly baked scones. It’s a sophisticated alternative to jam or clotted cream and adds a rich, fruity depth to your breakfast or afternoon tea.
• Divine in Cheesecakes: Swirl apple butter into the batter of a classic cheesecake before baking for a seasonal twist, or simply spoon it on top of individual mini cheesecakes as an exquisite garnish.
• A Flavorful Filling for Rolls: Use apple butter as a delicious and fragrant filling for sweet baked goods, like your grandma’s beloved cinnamon rolls. It adds moisture and a burst of apple spice.
• Sweetened Ice Cream Topping: Drizzle warm apple butter over scoops of creamy no-churn ice cream for an effortless and indulgent dessert. The contrast of warm apple butter and cold ice cream is heavenly.
• Breakfast Staples: Elevate your breakfast game by spreading apple butter generously onto fluffy buttermilk pancakes, golden French toast, or crispy waffles instead of maple syrup.
• Savory Pairing with Pork Chops: The sweet and tangy notes of apple butter make it an exceptional accompaniment to savory meats. Serve it alongside perfectly cooked pork chops for a classic and comforting meal.
• Unique BBQ Sauce Enhancement: Stir a few spoonfuls of apple butter into your favorite BBQ sauce. It adds a subtle sweetness, fruitiness, and depth that takes your grilled meats or pulled pork to the next level.
• Stir into Oatmeal or Yogurt: A spoonful mixed into your morning oatmeal or plain Greek yogurt instantly upgrades your breakfast with natural sweetness and a warm, spiced flavor.
• On a Cheese Board: Apple butter pairs wonderfully with various cheeses, especially sharp cheddar or creamy brie. Add it to your next charcuterie or cheese board for a delightful sweet component.

Apple Butter Recipe

Prep Time: 30 minutes mins

Cook Time: 12 hours hrs

Total Time: 12 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

This homemade apple butter recipe is easy to make in the slow cooker using just a few simple ingredients. Spread it over your favorite muffins, pancakes, and more!

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Ingredients

Servings: 5 cups

• ▢ 5 pounds apples
• ▢ 1 cup packed light brown sugar (200 grams)
• ▢ ½ cup granulated sugar (100 grams)
• ▢ 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ▢ ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon salt

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Instructions

 

• Prepare your slow cooker by spraying it well with non stick cooking spray.
• Peel, core, and slice all of the apples and place them in the slow cooker.
• In a separate bowl, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Pour the mixture over the apples and stir well, making sure to coat all of the apples.
• Set the slow cooker on low and cook for 10 hours. After the 10 hours, mash any chunks of apple that remain (I like to use a potato masher for this step). Allow to cook for an additional 2 hours.
• Remove the lid and use an immersion blender to blend the apple butter until it’s smooth. If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can also blend it in a blender that’s vented. If you prefer, you can let the apple butter cook a little longer with the lid slightly ajar to let it thicken up some more.
• Once the apple butter is finished, transfer to containers and allow to cool completely, then refrigerate.

Notes

Apples: The five pounds of apples is measured before peeling, coring, and slicing. I prefer to use a mix of apples in this recipe, some great options are Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, and Granny Smith apples.

Storage instructions: Apple butter will keep for about two weeks in the fridge.

Freezing Instructions: Apple butter will freeze well for up to 3 months, thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Cuisine: American

Course: Dessert

Author: Danielle Rye

Did you make this recipe?Mention @livewellbakeoften on Instagram or tag #livewellbakeoften.

This delightful slow cooker apple butter recipe is adapted from the wonderful Brown Eyed Baker. We hope you enjoy making and sharing this seasonal treat as much as we do!