Made with no added sugar, this easy slow cooker apple butter recipe can be prepped in as little as 10 minutes and is scented with cinnamon and other warm fall spices.
Apple butter is one of those secret weapons in the kitchen of a health-conscious home cook. Naturally sweet yet low in calorie, it’s one of my favorite ways to lightly sweeten everything from oatmeal to smoothies to a bowl of Greek yogurt.
While you can certainly make apple butter on the stovetop, I love the “Set it and Forget It” aspect of my slow cooker.
What are your favorite ways to use apple butter? Perhaps a dollop on top of vanilla ice cream? Stirred into pancake batter? Let me know – I’d love to hear from you!
Frequently asked questions:
What Types of Apples Work Best for Apple Butter?
In general, you’ll want to use a softer variety of apples because they will cook down faster. Gala is my favorite variety so I always have them on hand but if you’re making a special trip to the orchard or grocery store to make apple butter, I recommend one of these apple varieties:
Braeburn
Cortland
Fuji
Gravenstein
Grimes Golden
Jonamac
Ida Red
Liberty
McIntosh
How Much Added Sugar Do You Need for Apple Butter?
The amount of added sugar you need to add is completely up to your personal discretion. I prefer to keep my apple butter low sugar so I don’t add any added white or brown sugar. Instead, I use just one cup of apple cider which not only adds a bit of acidity to balance the naturally sweet apples but it keeps the apples from burning while cooking. If you prefer a sweeter end result, feel free to add in 1/2 cup each white and brown sugar.
How Long Does Apple Butter Last?
If you can the apple butter in sterile glass jars, it will last up to one year in the refrigerator. Once it’s opened I recommend using within 10 days.
Your spoon is waiting.
Slow Cooker Apple Butter
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 pounds apples (such as Gala, Fuji or Golden Delicious) (cored and roughy chopped)
- 1 cup apple cider
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- pinch salt
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a slow cooker and mix well. Cook on Low for 8 Hours.
- Transfer cooked apples to a food processor and puree until smooth. If you prefer a thicker consistency, return to the slow cooker and cook for an additional 3 hours on low with the lid off. Serve warm, room temperature or chilled.
Notes
Nutrition
Want more delicious slow cooker recipes? Check out my Pinterest board!
What can I use in place of the cider?
Hmm… water?
Apples are my favorite fall ingredients. I can’t wait to head to the orchard and make some of this!
I can’t wait to try this is the slow cooker! Apple butter is the best!