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Apple butter used to seem like a delicacy, reserved for special festivals and events. I grew up thinking apple butter must be extremely time-consuming to make or involve too much work since we never made it. I don’t know if you’ve ever seen it made (and let me know down below in the comments section if you have!), but at fall festivals they usually show a large cast-iron pot being stirred for hours as apples, sugar, and spices are cooked until they reach the perfect consistency. Honestly, this is how I thought you had to make this apple spread – I guess I was a little naive.
As I started researching how to make apple butter, the recipes that kept catching my eye all used slow cookers to steadily cook the butter for hours. This opened up a whole new world for me! Making a simple and quick apple butter with hardly any work that I can walk away from as it cooks – uhhh… what more could I ask for?!
This almost sounds too good to be true, but it really does come together to create the perfect recipe for slow cooker apple butter. As the apples simmer for hours, your house will be filled with the aroma of cinnamon and sugar. And when it’s all done cooking, you’re left with a thick and delicious apple butter.
For the perfect bread to complement this apple butter (shown in the above pictures), make sure to try my bread recipe!
Ideas for how to use this apple butter recipe:
This year, I froze all of the spread I made and am super excited to use it with:
- Pork chops
- Homemade breads – yeah, the combo of homemade butter and homemade bread will make you a self-sufficient guru!
- As a mix-in for a fall-themed latte
Watch how to make this apple butter recipe
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Slow Cooker Apple Butter
Ingredients
- 16 cups sliced apples (such as Macintosh and Golden Delicious)
- 2 ¾ cups light brown sugar
- 2 ¾ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- 1 star anise pod (optional)
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
Instructions
- Wash and remove the core from the apples. Slice thinly. Measure out 16 cups of apples. Pour all apples into the slow cooker.16 cups sliced apples (such as Macintosh and Golden Delicious)
- Add brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, anise pod, salt, and lemon juice. Stir to incorporate everything.2 ¾ cups light brown sugar, 2 ¾ tsp ground cinnamon, ¼ tsp ground cloves, 1 star anise pod (optional), ¼ tsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Turn slow cooker on high for 4-5 hours. After the first hour, remove the star anise pod, if added. Every hour, stir the apples.
- Once the mixture is bubbling and cooking well (after approximately 4-5 hours), turn the slow cooker to low and leave for 10-12 hours. I usually do this in the evening so it can sit on the low setting overnight.
- After ten hours, start checking the slow cooker. Stir mixture using a strong wire whisk or hand potato masher to break up the apples.
- Once the butter is the consistency desired, use a blender, food processor, or immersion blender to break down the rest of the apples to achieve an even consistency.
- Let cool. Freeze or can the mixture.
Video
Notes
- Remember that apples contain a large amount of water and will cook down considerably. They also vary a lot in how they cook. My apples had a lot of liquid in them so I needed to give them 2 extra hours on high (with the lid off) to make sure my apple butter turned out as thick as I wanted.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment below!
I have been experimenting with apple butter recipes for several weeks in anticipation of entering a jar at our local fair & to make as Christmas gifts for family & friends. I love your recipe and it is my favorite! I pressed it through a chinois and the texture was lovely. Question: do you think light brown sugar is best? I used dark brown sugar & it tasted a little scorched but was still delicious.
I started learning to make jams about a month ago. So far, I have made cherry, strawberry, cowboy candy(candied jalapeños) salsa, peach and pumpkin butter, tomato jam.I am amazed at what I am learning and love doing it AND I know exactly what goes into everything I do💜😊
I’ve made this recipe multiple times. Love it! Do you know if this recipe is safe for canning?
First year in canning it’s going exceptionally well because of your great advice. Watching your posts on fb really make me feel important living on this farm/acreage of ours. I can’t tell you how lucky you are to have such a great mom and gifts given from your grandmothers wisdom and I’m sure you’ll keep family traditions alive! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. We live in Cresco, IA
Home area of Norman Borlaug. The Noble Peace Prize Awarded for feeding the World.
Please when you post a recipe, as in your apple butter, state whether you use light or dark brown sugar. Thank you. Love your videos.
Cute pumpkin rollin’ with Gram. I’m inspired to make it this fall 🍂 thx for sharing
I LOVE when I see this recipe pinned to your home page for the month because that means it’s time! My favorite time of the year is around the corner. I used your recipe for the last two years and my only thought this year is I have to make at least two more batches. Of all the jams and jellies I make each year this is the only one where there isn’t at least one jar remaining. Thank you for sharing this awesome recipe and simple technique, Kaleb!
Awesome
So easy to make and so delicious however you eat it.
I made french onion soup, from scratch, it called apple butter; i used my one from this recipe.
The whole family went crazy.
All said “ best ever Mom”
Will be doing all this over again, once i make my apple butter.
Do not think a commercial one would have the richness of this recipe. Thank you
I’ve been making apple butter like this for years, freezing it. It’s soooo easy! Several years ago I started canning it in pints and quarts, as well as some in small decorative jars that are perfect Christmas treats for family and friends. I use just a small amount of Splenda’s brown sugar baking blend for flavor, and supplement with monk fruit, depending on the natural sweetness of the apples. People are always impressed and think it’s difficult to make. I won’t tell them how easy it is! LOL
Hi kaleb, I just wanted to tell how much I enjoy all your recipes and loved your house tour! You make watching so enjoyable. You seem like such a happy sincere person.