It’s fall, and that means all things pumpkin and apples. And one of my favorite things to make this time of year is homemade slow cooker apple butter.
My family took a trip recently to the North Carolina mountains where we visited The Biltmore Estate, hiked, and picked apples! Those fresh off the tree fall apples are so incredibly crunchy and sweet that we had to bring a peck back with us.
With all of those apples in the fridge, I knew homemade apple butter in the slow cooker would be just the ticket.
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What is apple butter?
Apple butter is a type of fruit spread made from apples that have been cooked down into a thick, smooth paste. It’s sweet and flavorful, with a deep amber color.
Apple butter is delicious on toast or biscuits, but also works well on waffles or pancakes for delicious fall flavor. I even use apple butter in some of my muffin recipes as a way to keep them moist and to give an extra punch of spice.
Ingredients in Apple Butter
Apple butter is typically a combination of several ingredients including : apples, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Some recipes also call for lemon juice or cider vinegar to add a bit of acidity and depth of flavor.
There are certainly variations out there, as I have listed at the bottom of this recipe in case you need to substitute an ingredient. Sugar can be replaced with a sweetener of choice, and the combination of spices could be subbed out for pumpkin pie spice (see my recipe for how to make your own) or even apple pie spice if you’re trying to speed up the process.
Here are the ingredients for slow cooker apple butter:
- 8-10 apples
- 1/4 water
- 1/2 brown sugar or coconut sugar (I use the coconut sugar)
- 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp cloves
- 1/2 tsp ginger
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1 lemon, juiced
How to Make Apple Butter in the Slow Cooker
Making slow cooker apple butter is incredibly easy! I have an instant pot recipe you can check out, but if you don’t have a pressure cooker, then using your slow cooker or crock pot is just as easy. Here’s what you’ll do:
- Peel, core, and slice apples and place in the slow cooker. I used this peeler/slicer/corer and it saved me tons of time.
- Add water, sugar, and spices to the slow cooker and stir to combine with apples.
- Set slow cooker to high and cook for 4 hours, stirring occasionally. (Or set to low for 6 hours.)
- Add lemon juice once apples are finished cooking.
- Use an immersion blender and blend to desired consistency.
How to Can Apple Butter
To can your apple butter for use all year round, spoon warm apple butter into clean, sterilized jars, leaving an inch of head space. Place lids and rings on jars, making sure the top of the jars are clean and wiped off. Place jars in a boiling water bath and process for 10 minutes.
Remove jars from boiling water and let jars sit overnight. (Listen for the pop to make sure they have sealed.) Use a sharpie to label each jar, so you remember what it is.
How to Freeze Apple Butter
If you would rather freeze your apple butter, use freezer safe containers and spoon apple butter into each, leaving room at the top for expansion. Let the apple butter cool in the container before putting on an airtight lid and placing in the freezer.
Keep frozen until ready to use!
Easy Slow Cooker Apple Butter
Love apple butter in the fall? Get my easy slow cooker apple butter recipe to have delicious fresh apple butter at home using less than 6 ingredients.
Ingredients
- 8-10 apples
- 1/4 water
- 1/2 brown sugar or coconut sugar (I use the coconut sugar)
- 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp cloves
- 1/2 tsp ginger
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1 lemon, juiced
Instructions
- Peel, core, and slice apples and place in the slow cooker. I used this peeler/slicer/corer and it saved me tons of time.
- Add water, sugar, and spices to the slow cooker and stir to combine with apples.
- Set slow cooker to high and cook for 4 hours, stirring occasionally. (Or set to low for 6 hours.)
- Add lemon juice once apples are finished cooking.
- Use an immersion blender and blend to desired consistency.
Notes
To can your apple butter for use all year round, spoon warm apple butter into clean, sterilized jars, leaving an inch of head space. Place lids and rings on jars, making sure the top of the jars are clean and wiped off. Place jars in a boiling water bath and process for 10 minutes.
Remove jars from boiling water and let jars sit overnight. (Listen for the pop to make sure they have sealed.) Use a sharpie to label each jar, so you remember what it is.
Recommended Products
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Apple Peeler Corer, Long lasting Chrome Cast Magnesium Alloy Apple Peeler Slicer Corer with Stainless Steel Blades and Powerful Suction Base for Apples and Potato(Red) -
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker, Warmer & Sterilizer, Includes App With Over 800 Recipes, Stainless Steel, 6 Quart -
Big Tree Farms Organic Brown Coconut Sugar, Vegan, Gluten Free, Paleo, Certified Kosher, Cane Sugar Alternative, Substitute for Baking, Non GMO, Low Glycemic, Unrefined, Fair Trade,1 Pound
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
40Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 25Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 1gSugar: 5gProtein: 0g