Crockpot Apple Butter offers an incredibly easy and deeply satisfying way to enjoy the bounty of apple season. Forget the tedious task of peeling; simply dice unpeeled apples, combine them with a harmonious blend of spices and sugars, and let your slow cooker work its magic. This hands-off approach transforms a humble pile of apples into a rich, velvety spread that tastes like autumn in every spoonful. Perfect for spreading on warm toast, swirling into oatmeal, or enjoying straight from the spoon, this homemade apple butter is a delightful addition to any kitchen.
author’s note
Homemade Apple Butter: A Childhood Nostalgia, Gone in 24 Hours!
There are certain flavors that instantly transport you back to childhood, and for me, homemade apple butter is at the top of that list. Growing up, autumn always brought with it the comforting tradition of a neighbor gifting us jars of their freshly made apple butter. My family and I would eagerly devour every last bit, often finishing a jar in less than a day! We’d slather it generously on warm, crusty toast, stir luscious spoonfuls into creamy oatmeal for a sweet breakfast treat, and yes, even enjoy it by the spoonful directly from the jar. It was an undeniable seasonal obsession.
Now, with my own children and annual apple orchard visits a cherished family tradition, I often find myself with an abundance of apples. Even my backyard apple trees have finally started to produce a generous harvest! Faced with more apples than I could possibly use in pies or crisps, I knew it was time to recreate that beloved apple butter from my youth, infusing it with my own personal touch. The challenge was to make it just as unforgettable, but with modern ease.
After several delightful rounds of testing, adjusting the spice blend to perfection, and experimenting with different apple varieties, this crockpot version quickly became a new family favorite. The gentle, long simmer in the slow cooker not only makes the process incredibly simple but also fills the entire house with the most intoxicating aroma of cinnamon and apples. This recipe is now a staple in our fall routine, and I’m thrilled to share it with you!
Gathering Your Simple Ingredients for Irresistible Apple Butter
Crafting delicious homemade apple butter doesn’t require an extensive list of ingredients. In fact, the magic lies in a few key components that, when slow-cooked together, create an explosion of flavor. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and some helpful tips for each:
| Ingredient | Tips & Swaps for Best Results |
|---|---|
| Sweet Apples (Fuji, Honeycrisp, Gala, Golden Delicious) | The star of our slow cooker apple butter! Opt for naturally sweet and softer apples to reduce the need for added sugar and ensure they break down beautifully. While Fuji and Honeycrisp offer a fantastic balance, Gala and Golden Delicious are also excellent choices. For a hint of pleasant tang and more complex flavor, consider mixing in a few Granny Smith apples, but avoid using too many as they can make the butter too tart. You’ll need approximately 5 to 5.5 pounds of whole apples, which yields about 16 cups once diced. |
| Brown Sugar (Light or Dark) | Brown sugar adds a rich, molasses-like depth and a lovely moisture to the apple butter. Ensure your brown sugar is fresh and free of hard clumps for even incorporation. Light brown sugar is typically used for a milder caramel note, but dark brown sugar can be used for a more intense, deeper flavor profile. |
| White Granulated Sugar | This balances the sweetness and provides a clean, crisp sweetness that complements the fruit. You can adjust the amount down slightly if your chosen apples are exceptionally sweet, or if you prefer a less sweet spread. Taste and adjust at the end of cooking. |
| Ground Cinnamon & Nutmeg | These are the quintessential fall spices that define classic apple butter! They create that warm, inviting aroma and taste we all love. To enhance the flavor further, consider adding a pinch of ground cloves, allspice, or even a touch of ginger for a more complex and aromatic profile. Always use fresh spices for the best potency. |
| Fresh Lemon Juice | A crucial ingredient! Lemon juice brightens the overall flavor, prevents the apple butter from becoming overly sweet, and helps maintain its vibrant, rich color by preventing oxidation. While bottled lemon juice works in a pinch, fresh-squeezed lemon juice always delivers the best and most vibrant taste. |
| Pure Vanilla Extract | Vanilla adds a subtle yet essential richness and depth, rounding out the spice profile beautifully. For the most authentic and robust flavor, always reach for pure vanilla extract rather than imitation. Add it at the end to preserve its delicate aroma. |
| Salt | Just a small amount of salt is needed to enhance all the other flavors, bringing out the natural sweetness of the apples and the warmth of the spices. It’s a flavor amplifier! |
Crafting Your Homemade Crockpot Apple Butter: Step-by-Step Guide
Making apple butter from scratch might sound intimidating, but with a slow cooker, it becomes an incredibly simple and rewarding process. Follow these easy steps to create your own luscious, homemade spread:
- Prepare the Apples: No Peeling Required! Begin by thoroughly washing your apples. The beauty of this crockpot apple butter recipe is that there’s absolutely no need to peel them! The apple peels contain pectin, which naturally helps thicken the butter, and they also contribute to its beautiful color and nutritional value. Simply core each apple to remove the seeds and stem, then dice them into relatively small, uniform pieces, about 1/4 to 1/2-inch. Smaller pieces will break down more quickly and evenly in the slow cooker. Transfer all diced apples into your 6-quart or larger slow cooker.
- Combine with Sugars and Spices: To the diced apples in the slow cooker, add the light brown sugar, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Stir all the ingredients gently but thoroughly, ensuring that the apples are evenly coated with the sweet spice mixture. This step ensures that the flavors meld together beautifully during the long cooking process.
- Slow Cook to Perfection: Cover your slow cooker with its lid. Set the temperature to LOW and cook for an extended period of 11 to 12 hours. Alternatively, if you’re shorter on time, you can cook on HIGH for 5 to 7 hours. The goal here is for the apples to become incredibly soft, almost mushy, and deeply caramelized. They should easily break apart with very little pressure. The longer, slower cook time on low generally results in a richer, deeper flavor.
- Blend Until Velvety Smooth: Once the apples are exceptionally tender and cooked down, turn off the slow cooker and allow the mixture to cool slightly. Carefully transfer the warm apple mixture to a high-powered blender. It’s crucial to blend in batches to avoid overfilling the blender and to ensure safety, especially with hot liquids (see note 2 in the recipe card). Secure the lid tightly and start blending on a low speed, gradually increasing to high, until the apple butter reaches a perfectly smooth, silky consistency.
- Finish with Flavor and Adjust: Pour the blended apple butter back into the slow cooker (or a large bowl). Stir in the vanilla extract and fresh lemon juice. At this point, it’s time to taste your homemade creation! Feel free to adjust the flavors as desired. If you prefer a sweeter spread, add a little more granulated sugar, a tablespoon at a time. For more brightness and to cut through the sweetness, a bit more lemon juice can be added. If your apple butter seems too thin for your liking, you can continue to cook it uncovered on the LOW setting for an additional 1 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until it reaches your desired thickness.
Creative Ways to Enjoy Your Homemade Apple Butter
Once you’ve made a batch of this luscious crockpot apple butter, you’ll find countless ways to incorporate its warm, spiced flavor into your meals and treats. Its versatility makes it a fantastic staple in any kitchen. Here are some of our favorite ideas:
- A Classic Spread: The most obvious and perhaps most beloved use! Generously spread it on warm slices of toast, bagels, English muffins, fluffy muffins, or tender scones for a comforting breakfast or snack. It’s also incredible on cornbread.
- Delicious Filling: Elevate your baked goods by using apple butter as a rich, flavorful filling. Incorporate it into pastries, between layers of cake, inside homemade pies, fruit tarts, or even inject it into classic doughnuts for a seasonal twist.
- Sweet Topping: Drizzle warm apple butter over stacks of light and fluffy pancakes, golden waffles, or a steaming bowl of oatmeal. It adds an incredible depth of flavor that syrup simply can’t match.
- Savory Sauce & Swirl: Don’t limit apple butter to just sweet applications! Swirl it into plain yogurt for a quick breakfast, blend it into ice cream for a unique dessert, or add it to smoothie bowls for a fruity, spiced kick. It also makes an excellent glaze for roasted pork or chicken, adding a sweet and tangy element.
- Moisture in Baking: Replace some of the fat (like oil or butter) in your favorite baking recipes with apple butter to add moisture, flavor, and reduce calories. It works wonderfully in cakes, quick breads, and muffins, offering a subtle apple essence.
- Elevated Sandwiches: Take your sandwich game to the next level. Add a spoonful to a gourmet grilled cheese with sharp cheddar, or swap out jelly for apple butter in a PB&J for a richer, more complex flavor experience.
- Holiday Gifting: Jar up your homemade apple butter in pretty mason jars with a ribbon and tag for a thoughtful, edible gift during the holiday season or for host gifts.
Quick Blending Tip
While an immersion blender can be convenient for blending the apple mixture directly in the slow cooker, for an ultra-smooth, velvety finish—the kind that truly defines apple butter—I highly recommend transferring the cooked apples to a high-powered countertop blender. It achieves a superior, luxurious texture every time.
Storage Solutions for Your Homemade Apple Butter
Proper storage is key to enjoying your delicious crockpot apple butter for weeks or even months. Here’s how to keep it fresh:
- Refrigerator: For everyday use, store the cooled apple butter in clean, airtight jars (like mason jars) in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and delicious for 2 to 3 weeks.
- Freezer: For longer-term storage, the freezer is your best friend. Ladle cooled apple butter into small, freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving a little headspace for expansion. It can be frozen for up to 12 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before use.
- Canning: If you are familiar with safe canning practices (such as the hot water bath method), properly processed and sealed jars of apple butter can be stored in a cool, dark pantry for up to a year. Always follow tested and approved canning guidelines to ensure food safety.
More Must-Make Apple Recipes to Savor:
If you’ve fallen in love with the flavor of apples, here are more delightful recipes to try and incorporate into your baking and cooking repertoire. From comforting desserts to wholesome breakfasts, there’s an apple recipe for every occasion!
Desserts
Classic Homemade Apple Pie
Desserts
Irresistible Caramel Apple Bark
Desserts
Easy Apple Turnover Recipe
Breakfast
Healthy Apple Muffins with Greek Yogurt
Crockpot Apple Butter
Chelsea Lords
30 minutes
11 hours
11 hours 30 minutes
6 cups
Video
Watch a video demonstration of how to make this delicious Crockpot Apple Butter.
Equipment
- 6-quart Crock-Pot (or larger slow cooker)
- Blender (high-powered is recommended for ultimate smoothness)
Ingredients
- 5-1/2 pounds sweet apples (about 16 cups diced, see note 1 below for apple varieties)
- 1 cup light brown sugar (firmly packed)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- No need to peel the apples! Simply wash, core, and dice them into small, approximately 1/4-inch pieces. Discard the cores. Transfer all the diced apples into your slow cooker.
- Add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to the slow cooker. Stir gently to ensure all the apple pieces are coated with the spice mixture.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on the LOW setting for 11–12 hours, or on the HIGH setting for 5–7 hours. The goal is for the apples to become extremely soft and easily mashable.
- Once cooking is complete, turn off the slow cooker and let the apple mixture cool slightly. Carefully transfer the mixture to a high-powered blender in batches. With caution (see note 2 below for blending hot mixtures), blend until the apple butter is perfectly smooth and creamy.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and lemon juice. Taste the apple butter and adjust seasonings as desired. You can add more sugar for sweetness or a bit more lemon juice for a brighter, tangier flavor. For a thicker consistency, cook the apple butter uncovered on low for an additional 1–2 hours, stirring occasionally, until it reaches your preferred thickness.
Recipe Notes
Note 2: Blending Hot Mixtures Safely: When blending hot liquids or mixtures, safety is paramount. Always ensure the blender lid is securely fastened. It’s also recommended to remove the small cap from the lid (the one used for adding ingredients) and cover the opening with a kitchen towel to allow steam to escape while preventing splattering. Start blending on the lowest speed, gradually increasing the speed. Do not overfill the blender; blend in small batches to manage the heat and pressure.
Storage Guidelines: Once the apple butter has cooled, pour it into clean, large, wide-mouth mason jars. Store these jars in the refrigerator for optimal freshness and use within 2 to 3 weeks. You can also freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 12 months. This delicious spread is truly versatile – enjoy it by the spoonful, on toasted English muffins, sourdough bread, swirled into oatmeal, or with virtually anything you desire!
Nutrition Information
Calories: 420 kcal |
Carbohydrates: 108 g |
Protein: 1 g |
Fat: 1 g |
Saturated Fat: 0.1 g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2 g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 0.03 g |
Sodium: 111 mg |
Potassium: 418 mg |
Fiber: 9 g |
Sugar: 96 g |
Vitamin A: 184 IU |
Vitamin C: 16 mg |
Calcium: 65 mg |
Iron: 1 mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.
Love this recipe? Leave a comment below!
Crockpot Apple Butter FAQs: Your Questions Answered
Absolutely not! One of the greatest advantages of this crockpot apple butter recipe is that you can skip the tedious peeling step. The apple peels cook down beautifully, becoming incredibly tender and completely blending into the butter, contributing to its rich color, flavor, and even its natural thickening properties. Plus, leaving the peels on adds extra nutrients!
Yes, you certainly can modify the sweetness. You can reduce the amount of both brown and granulated sugar, or substitute them with natural sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or even a sugar-free alternative. Keep in mind that altering the sugar content may affect the final flavor balance and consistency of the apple butter. If using less sugar, ensure your apples are naturally very sweet. Always taste and adjust as the apple butter finishes cooking to achieve your desired sweetness.
If your slow cooker apple butter is thinner than you’d like after blending, don’t worry! This is an easy fix. Simply return the apple butter to the slow cooker, but this time, cook it with the lid cracked open or entirely off. Continue to cook on the LOW setting, stirring occasionally (every 30-60 minutes) to prevent scorching, until it reduces and thickens to your desired consistency. This process can take an additional 1-2 hours, depending on how much liquid needs to evaporate. Patience is key for that perfect thick spread!
Absolutely! This recipe is very forgiving and scales well. You can easily double (or even triple) the quantities of all ingredients, provided your slow cooker is large enough to accommodate the increased volume without overflowing. A larger slow cooker, typically an 8-quart or even 10-quart, would be ideal for doubling. The cooking times should remain approximately the same, but it’s always a good idea to monitor the apples and ensure they reach the desired softness and caramelization.
For the richest flavor and best consistency, a blend of sweet, softer apples is recommended. Fuji, Honeycrisp, Gala, and Golden Delicious are excellent choices as they break down easily and contribute natural sweetness. You can also mix in a small proportion (about 10-20%) of a tart apple like Granny Smith if you prefer a more complex, tangy flavor profile, but primarily stick to sweeter varieties for the classic apple butter taste.
The name “apple butter” refers to its butter-like smooth, spreadable consistency, not its ingredients. Traditionally, fruit “butters” are highly concentrated fruit purées that have been slow-cooked until they achieve a thick, velvety texture, perfect for spreading. It’s similar to how peanut butter gets its name for its texture, not its dairy content!