The air feels crisp, the leaves crunch underfoot, and the kitchen smells like cinnamon and warmth. That’s when I pull out my slow cooker for a batch of Slow Cooker Apple Butter. It’s rich, cozy, and makes the whole house feel like autumn just moved in.
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Slow Cooker Apple Butter – The Easiest Way to Make It
Apple butter is like apple sauce’s grown-up cousin thicker, smoother, and packed with deep, spiced flavor. The slow cooker method makes it easy. You just set it, forget it, and let the apples turn into something magical. Spread it on toast, swirl it into oatmeal, or use it in baking for a sweet, spiced twist.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll love this because the prep takes only 10 minutes. Then the slow cooker does all the work while you go about your day. The flavor is naturally sweet with warm spices, and it keeps beautifully in the freezer. It’s also perfect for gifting in cute jars.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Apples – Use Fuji, Honeycrisp, Gala, or McIntosh for the best balance of sweet and tart.
- Coconut sugar or brown sugar – Coconut sugar adds a light caramel note, while brown sugar gives a deeper sweetness.
- Spices – Cinnamon for warmth, nutmeg for earthiness, cloves and allspice for depth.
- Lemon juice – Brightens the flavor.
- Water – Just enough to help the apples start cooking.
- Pinch of salt – Balances the sweetness.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 – Load the Slow Cooker
Place the apples, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, salt, lemon juice, and water in the slow cooker. Stir gently to mix.
Step 2 – Slow Cook Until Soft
Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours until the apples collapse into softness.
Step 3 – Blend Until Silky Smooth
Use an immersion blender to puree until velvety smooth. If you don’t have one, blend in batches.
Step 4 – Thicken Without the Lid
Cook uncovered on low for 1–2 more hours, stirring occasionally, until it’s as thick as you like.
Step 5 – Cool and Store
Let it cool completely before spooning into airtight containers. Refrigerate up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 6 months.
Storage & Shelf Life
Keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Freeze in freezer-safe jars or bags for up to 6 months. For long-term storage, you can also can it using safe canning methods.
Tips for Perfect Apple Butter Every Time
Taste your apples first—sweeter apples need less sugar. To test thickness, place a spoonful on a plate and let it cool. If no liquid pools around it, it’s ready. Try it on warm biscuits, swirled into yogurt, or as a filling for cinnamon apple oatmeal muffins for a cozy breakfast.
FAQ
Can I make apple butter without peeling the apples?
Yes. The skins will blend in when pureed, but the texture will be slightly more rustic.
Can I make this on high instead of low?
You can, but watch closely. Cooking on low gives the best depth of flavor.
How can I make this recipe sugar-free?
Skip the sugar and use extra-sweet apples like Fuji or Gala. The result will be lighter in sweetness but still delicious.
Slow Cooker Apple Butter Recipe Card
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Slow Cooker Apple Butter – Easy & Delicious Recipe
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 cups
Description
Rich, spiced, and silky smooth Slow Cooker Apple Butter made with fresh apples, warm spices, and a hint of lemon. Perfect for spreading, stirring, or gifting.
Ingredients
5 lbs apples (peeled, cored, chopped; Fuji, Honeycrisp, Gala, or McIntosh)
1 cup coconut sugar or brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp allspice
Pinch of salt
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 cup water
Instructions
1. Place apples, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, salt, lemon juice, and water in a slow cooker and stir to combine.
2. Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours until apples are very soft.
3. Blend mixture with an immersion blender or in batches until completely smooth.
4. Cook uncovered on low for 1–2 additional hours until thickened to desired consistency.
5. Let cool, then store in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freeze for longer storage.
Notes
Use sweet or tart apple varieties or a mix for best flavor.
Adjust sugar based on apple sweetness.
Apple butter thickens as it cools.
Can be canned using safe canning methods.
Delicious on toast, oatmeal, pancakes, waffles, muffins, or as a baking sweetener.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours
- Category: Slow Cooker Recipes
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tbsp
- Calories: 27
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
More Such Recipes
If you love this, you might also like air fryer apples with cinnamon and maple glaze, easy apple dumplings with flaky pastry, or warm oatmeal apple breakfast bake.
Final Thoughts
This Slow Cooker Apple Butter is the kind of recipe that makes a kitchen feel like home. Make a double batch, keep some for yourself, and gift the rest to friends. You’ll be amazed how something so simple can taste so special. Find more cozy recipe ideas on Pinterest or join the conversation on Facebook.