Transform a bushel of apples into a luscious, spiced spread with this simple slow cooker apple butter recipe. It’s an effortless way to capture the taste of autumn, perfect for spreading on toast, stirring into oatmeal, or gifting to friends. You’ll love how easy it is to make this comforting treat.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
- Apples: A mix of sweet and tart apples like Fuji, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Gala works best for complex flavor.
- Sweetener: Brown sugar and maple syrup create a rich, deep sweetness. You can adjust the amounts to your taste.
- Spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice are classic apple butter flavors. Feel free to adjust based on your preference.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: A small amount brightens the flavor and balances the sweetness.
Ingredients
Main:
- 4 pounds apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup apple cider
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Spices:
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- Pinch of salt
How Much Time Will You Need?
- Total Time: 10-12 hours
- Prep Time: 20-30 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 hours (slow cooker)
- Servings: Approximately 4 cups
- Tools Needed: Slow cooker (6-quart or larger), immersion blender or regular blender
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare Your Apples
Peel, core, and chop your apples. Don’t worry about perfect pieces; they will break down as they cook. Place all the chopped apples into your slow cooker.
2. Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker
Add the brown sugar, maple syrup, apple cider, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and salt to the slow cooker with the apples. Stir everything together until the apples are well coated with the spices and sweeteners.
3. Cook Low and Slow
Cover the slow cooker and cook on the LOW setting for 8-10 hours. You want the apples to be very tender and soft, almost falling apart. Stir occasionally if you’re able to, but it’s not essential.
4. Achieve a Smooth Texture
Once the apples are completely soft, use an immersion blender directly in the slow cooker to blend the mixture until smooth. If you don’t have an immersion blender, carefully transfer the mixture to a regular blender (in batches if needed) and blend until creamy. Be careful when blending hot liquids.
5. Thicken and Darken
After blending, leave the lid off your slow cooker. Continue to cook the apple butter on LOW for another 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally. This allows excess moisture to evaporate, thickening the apple butter and deepening its color and flavor. It should be thick enough to hold its shape on a spoon.
Storage Instructions
Once cooled, transfer your slow cooker apple butter to airtight jars or containers. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks or frozen for up to 6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before using.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Do I have to peel the apples?
A: Yes, peeling the apples helps achieve that super smooth, creamy apple butter texture.
Q: Can I use different spices?
A: Absolutely! Feel free to adjust the spice blend to your liking. Ginger, cardamom, or a touch of star anise can be lovely additions.
Q: Why is my apple butter thin?
A: It likely needs more time cooking with the lid off to allow the extra moisture to evaporate and thicken.
Q: How do I know when it’s done?
A: The apple butter should be thick enough to mound on a spoon and hold its shape. Its color will also deepen significantly.
Q: Can I make this on the stovetop?
A: While possible, a slow cooker is ideal for the long, slow cooking process that develops the best flavor and texture with minimal effort.