Easy Crock Pot Apple Butter Recipe

Every Fall, when the weather begins to cool down and the apples are ready for picking, I always make this Easy Crock Pot Apple Butter recipe. The thick apple spread is perfect for spreading on toast, bagels, and biscuits.

But it is also great to mix into yogurt or oatmeal, or to top your pancakes and waffles. It’s also a fantastic gift idea during the holidays—just jar it up, add a ribbon, and you’ve got a homemade gift that anyone would love.

It is the perfect recipe to make when you have a lot of apples on hand. And although at first glance it may seem like a difficult process, it is actually very simple and easy to make.

Apple Butter vs Applesauce

Apple butter and applesauce both involve cooking down apples. But there’s a key difference. Applesauce is made by cooking apples just long enough for them to soften so they can be mashed or blended into a sauce. (See my Homemade Applesauce Recipe)

Apple butter, on the other hand, requires a longer cooking process, which makes the apples break down even more, turning into a thick, spreadable texture. The longer cooking time also deepens the flavor.

Despite the name, apple butter doesn’t contain any butter. The name comes from the buttery consistency it develops after it cooks down for a long time. So, while applesauce is more of a chunky or smooth sauce, apple butter is rich, thick, and can easily be spread on bread or crackers.

Using A Crock Pot To Make Apple Butter

One of the reasons this apple butter recipe is so simple to make is because it is made entirely in a slow cooker. While it can be made on the stovetop, using a slow cooker makes the process easy and hands-off.

You won’t have to worry about stirring it constantly or keeping an eye on it to prevent burning. The slow cooker does the work for you, letting the apples cook down gradually over several hours.

To make apple butter in the slow cooker, all you need to do is peel, core, and slice the apples, toss them in with the spices and sweetener, and let them cook for hours. By the end, you’ll have a thick apple spread that’s ready to enjoy and your house will smell amazing!

Choosing the Right Apples

The type of apple you use makes a difference in the final flavor and texture of the apple butter. While some apples are great for eating fresh, others work better for cooking.

For apple butter, it’s best to use apples that break down easily when cooked. This will give you that smooth, spreadable texture without needing to blend them too much.

Avoid using tart apples like Granny Smiths for apple butter. These apples are better suited for pies or crisps because they hold their shape when cooked.

Instead, opt for sweeter apple varieties like Jonathan, Winesap, Gala, McIntosh, or Cortland. Using a mix of apples is ideal because it gives the apple butter a more complex flavor.

Prepping the Apples

One of the most time-consuming parts of making apple butter is peeling, coring, and slicing the apples. While you could leave the peels on, it’s best to peel them for a smoother final texture.

You can do this by hand, but using an apple peeler and corer tool can save you a lot of time. These tools peel, core, and slice the apple in one go, cutting your prep time down to just a few minutes. (Product Affiliate Link: Apple/Peeler/Corer/Slicer)

Whether you peel your apples or not, you’ll need to blend the apple butter after cooking. An immersion blender works best for this since you can blend directly in the slow cooker.

If you don’t have an immersion blender, a regular blender will work too, but you may need to blend in batches.

Adding Spices

The spices are what give apple butter its warm, comforting flavor. The most common spice used is cinnamon, but ground cloves are also essential for that classic apple butter taste.

Some people also like to add nutmeg or allspice, but that’s optional depending on your preference.

When you add the spices to the apples in the slow cooker, you don’t have to worry about stirring them in right away. The apples will break down as they cook, and once they do, the spices will naturally mix in.

However, if you prefer, you can stir the apples to get the seasonings spread over the apples.

Sweetening the Crock Pot Apple Butter

Because apple butter is a sweet spread, some type of sweetener will be required. I typically use granulated sugar, but you can adjust the amount based on how sweet your apples are.

Fresh picked apples tend to be sweeter than store-bought ones, so if you’re using fresh apples from an orchard, you can use less sugar. On average, you’ll use 2-3 cups of sugar for fresh apples and about 4 cups for store-bought per 6 pounds of apples.

If you prefer to use a sugar substitute, that works too. Just be aware that liquid sweeteners like honey or maple syrup might make the apple butter take longer to thicken because of the added moisture.

Cooking and Blending

Once your apples, spices, and sugar are in the slow cooker, it’s just a matter of letting them cook down. Set the slow cooker to low heat and let the apples cook for 10-12 hours.

Although not absolutely necessary, you can stir it occasionally to help the apples break down. By the end, the apples should be soft and the mixture will be thick.

Once the apples are completely soft use an immersion blender to puree the apple butter until it’s completely smooth. If it’s still not as thick as you’d like, you can cook it uncovered for another hour or two to evaporate more of the liquid.

Storing Crock Pot Apple Butter

Once your apple butter is ready, there are a few ways you can store it. If you plan to use it within a few weeks, store it in the refrigerator. Just transfer the apple butter to an airtight container and refrigerate. It will last for 3-4 weeks.

For longer storage, you can freeze the apple butter. Place it in freezer-safe containers, leaving a little space at the top for expansion, cover and freeze for up to a year. When you’re ready to use it, just thaw it in the refrigerator.

If you want to preserve it for even longer, can the apple butter using the hot water bath method. Ladle the hot apple butter into sterilized jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace at the top. Wipe the rims clean add the lid and finger tighten the band.

Then process the jars and place in the water bath canner, making sure the top of the lids are covered with 1-2 inches of water. Process for 10 minutes once the water is at a rapid boil. Once the jars seal and cool, the canned apple butter can be stored in a cool, dark place for up to a year.

Crock Pot Apple Butter Recipe

*Specific measurements and complete recipe instructions are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to continue to read the tips and tricks to making this recipe below.

INGREDIENTS

• 6 lbs of apples, peeled, cored, sliced
• 4 cups of sugar
• 3 teaspoons of cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place all ingredients into a large crock pot.

2. Turn on high for 1 hour, then turn to low for an additional 10-11 hours. Or if you are setting it to cook overnight, turn it on low and cook for 12 hours.

3. Use an immersion blender or food mill to puree the mixture.

4. Uncover and cook for 1 hour longer on low to thicken.

5. Place in an air-tight container and refrigerate or freeze.

Enjoy! Mary

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