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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’ve made 2 batches following your recipe and love it! I can these and am making for Christmas gifts. Thank you for an easy way to make a favorite! Hot mustard next!
Just put it in the crock pot. Smells wonderful. Can’t wait to try it
Excellent! I wish that I had come across this recipe a month ago. I was giving away apples. I made your recipe in my crock pot yesterday afternoon. They are now cooling down and it looks and tastes so yummy! Thank you.
This turned out amazing!! Thank you!
I have only been watching your videos for about a month. I am so happy I found you. I am 65 years old and have just gotten to gardening , baking and cooking from recipes for the first time in my life. What have been doing all this time? Working, taking care of my daughter, mom and dad. I have learned so much watching you. Thank you! I made your apple butter recipe. OMG!!! It’s to die for. I guess I have been in my little world because I have never heard of Apple butter. I will be making often. 🧡
Omg! This recipe is so delicious and video makes it easy to make. I used 5-6 varieties of local ripe cooking and eating apples. Peeling and cutting up the apples took the most time so I had my family help. Turned out so so good. I was reluctant but shared couple of jars with my neighbors. They love it too!
Made it… great time saver. I’m from the old school stove top prep..BUT…..no more!!!!😊. Thank you and Happy Fall, Happy Life.
If I am allergic to cinnamon can I use nutmeg instead?
I’ve never made apple butter before, as a matter of fact I’ve never tasted it; but your recipe sounded so simple that I thought I would give it a try. I don’t have a large slow cooker, good excuse to buy one (lol) and also, where did you get the jars you used in your video. Can’t wait to try this; my son and his wife went to an apple festival this past weekend and brought be back a whole lot of apples of different kinds, granny smith, gala, and one more kind (can’t think of it). I’m going to start mine tomorrow evening (Monday). Wish me luck and I’ll let you know how it turns out. Have a great fall season!!! Mary Dickens, from Virginia
Hi! This looks fantastic! I dont know much in regards to canning, so I know I am probably over thinking this, but lol after the butter cools and you put it in the freezer, do you leave it there until you plan to use it and then refrigerate it? Do you freeze it for just a certain amount of time? How does that part work?