Just a few simple ingredients is all it takes to make this Slow Cooker Apple Butter, filled with cozy fall flavors!
**September 2017 update!** this recipe was originally posted in November 2014. i decided that the photos desperately needed updating, so i reshot the recipe (but still kept the ingredient list and directions the same). i also kept the original post/story below that i wrote three years ago!**
Slow cooker, crock pot, gigantic dish that sits on the counter and cooks delicious food for hours on end. Whatever you prefer to call it, it’s a kitchen essential for me. I love experimenting with my slow cooker. There are endless combination to make, countless recipes to mark of my to-do list, and so many wonderful meals that come out of it.
While I use my slow cooker year round, I tend to use it the most during the fall and winter months. I love the ease of throwing something together, letting it cook all day, and having a hot and tasty meal ready with hardly any prep work. It’s almost like a miracle-cooker in my mind!
So because it’s fall and I’m all about the apple (and pumpkin) goodies, I decided to try my hand at this Slow Cooker Apple Butter. Just a few simple ingredients is all it takes to make this delicious spread, perfectly acceptable to use on toast, oatmeal, ice cream, or my favorite, a spoon!
This Slow Cooker Apple Butter is so easy to make, guys! And you know I’m all about the simple recipes! The hardest part is peeling, coring, and slicing the apples. But if you have one of those handy dandy all-in-one apple corer/slicers, then you’re in luck!
I chose to use honey crisp apples, but whatever apple tickles your fancy will work. Make sure that you adjust the amount of sugar depending on the tartness of your apples, otherwise you will end up with apple butter that is either too sweet, or too bland!
This Slow Cooker Apple Butter cooks all day, if you have the time. But I chose to speed up the process a bit and cook it on high for five hours, and then on low for one hour, after I had pureed the apple mixture. But if you have the time to spare, cook this delicious spread for ten hours on low. Your house will smell incredible!
I also made my butter into more of a jam, rather than a smooth sauce. Simply use an immersion blender or potato masher to mash up the chunks to your desired consistency. I like my apple butter chunky and full of flavor, so I purposely left some delicious gobs of apple-y goodness in there.
Did I mention how amazing this will make your house smell? This scent is purely, insanely intoxicating…in a good way! And I guarantee that you will love the taste of this Slow Cooker Apple Butter! While it doesn’t take anything like regular butter (more like an apple jam), it’s full of apple flavor, cinnamon, and cozy fall spices.
So what are you waiting for? Grab those apples and get slow cookin’!
Looking for more easy apple recipes? I’ve got you covered!
Slow Cooker Apple Butter
Ingredients
- 5 pounds apples peeled, cored, and sliced (I used honey crisp apples)
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1½ tablespoons vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
Instructions
- Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray or use slow cooker liner. Place apples into bottom of slow cooker.
- In a separate bowl, combine the white sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Sprinkle over apples and lightly toss to coat.
- Cover and cook on low for 9 hours or on high for 4 hours.
- When 1 hour is left, add in vanilla and stir. Cover and cook on low for an additional hour.
- Using an immersion blender or potato masher, mash apples to reach your desired consistency.
- Cool completely and then refrigerate until ready to serve.
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