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.
In this Post: Everything you need for Slow Cooker Apple Butter
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 pancakes. If you haven’t had apple butter before, it’s essentially a richer, more flavorful applesauce. It’s cooked down and concentrated flavor makes it a great add-in to lots of dishes in the kitchen. While you can certainly make apple butter on the stovetop, I love the “set it and forget it” aspect of my Slow Cooker Apple Butter.
Ingredients
- Apples: Softer variety of apples will cook down faster, and gala is my favorite to use, but you could use Braeburn, Fuji, Cortland, or McIntosh apples as well!
- Apple cider: Adds needed moisture to cook the apples without taking away any of the warm, apple flavor.
- Warm spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger
- Lemon juice: Adds some needed citrus and freshness for balance of flavor.
How to Make Slow Cooker APple Butter
Start your slow cooker apple butter by washing your apples, coring them, and cutting them into slices. I like to leave the skin on for the best nutritional benefits, but you could also peel your apples.
Then toss all of your apples in your slow cooker, along with the warm spices, and a pinch of salt. Top it all with the apple cider and lemon juice, stir it all together, and cover with a lid. Cook on low for 8 hours.
Once finished cooking, transfer cooked apples to a food processor or blender and puree until smooth. You could also use an immersion blender, and leave it in the slow cooker! Serve warm or chilled, and enjoy your Slow Cooker Apple Butter!
What Pairs with Apple Butter?
If you’re looking for ideas of what to try with apple butter, here are some ideas to try!
- Stirred into plain Greek yogurt
- On top of pancakes or waffles
- Over toast or biscuits
- Used to sweeten oatmeal or smoothies
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does homemade jarred apple butter last?
If you follow the water-bath canning method, an unopened jar of apple butter will last a couple of years. Otherwise, it’ll last for a month in an airtight container in the fridge.
Why won’t my apple butter thicken?
Cooking and blending your apple butter will only get so thick. If you want a thicker apple butter, I recommend putting it back over heat after it’s been pureed. Once blended, put the apple butter back in the slow cooker and cook on low for a couple more hours, and that’ll help it thicken.
Can you freeze homemade apple butter?
Yes you can! Keep it in an airtight container like a jar or a freezer safe resealable bag, and it’ll be good for up 6 months in the freezer! Just thaw in the fridge overnight before you plan on using it.
More Fall Recipes
- Baked Apple Cider Donuts
- Healthy Pumpkin Applesauce Muffins
- Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
- Apple Cinnamon Buckwheat Pancakes
- Pumpkin Banana Oatmeal
Did you try this recipe and like it? The next time you make it, snap a picture and share it to your socials! Tag @thelemonbowl and #thelemonbowl so we can admire and share your dish.
What are your favorite ways to use slow cooker 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!
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.
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!