Slow Cooker Apple Butter

Make a big batch of Slow Cooker Apple Butter for a fraction of what it costs at the store. Makes plenty to give as gifts and enough to stock your freezer.

We love making this apple butter and putting on toast in the morning or using it in Apple Butter Pork Chops!

I’ve rarely buy apple butter at the store, the price is always through the roof. With my easy recipe for apple butter in the slow cooker, you will never have to buy it again! This recipe freezes great and makes a great gift. This is not a canning recipe, so be sure to refrigerate or freeze.

What is the difference between applesauce and apple butter?

• Applesauce is runnier and not blended up to smooth consistency like apple butter.
• Apple butter has a richer dark color and is spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
• Apple butter is similar to a jam and great on toast or even in recipes.

How to make Apple Butter in the Crockpot:

1. Start with 5 pounds of apples. You can use any variety, I use gala.
2. Peel, core, and slice five pounds of apples and add to a 6-quart or larger slow cooker.
3. Add 1 cup of brown sugar, one tablespoon of cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg, a pinch of cloves, and two dashes of salt.
4. Stir to coat the apples with the seasonings and brown sugar.

• Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 5 hours or LOW for 8-10 hours.
• When the cooking time is up, place the apple butter into a blender, place on the lid. Also, place a towel over the top of the lid in case the blender lid leaks. Hold the lid and pulse until smooth. Or if you have an immersion blender, place right into the slow cooker and blend until smooth.
• OR use an immersion blender right in the slow cooker to blend up the apple butter.

How can I serve apple butter?

• Toast or croissants
• Biscuits
• Ice-cream
• Use in milkshakes

My apple butter is too thin, how can I thicken it?

• Some apples are juicier than others and I sometimes have to thicken my apple butter.
• After blending leave the apple butter in the slow cooker.
• Turn the slow cooker to HIGH and leave the lid off.
• Cook for 45-60 more minutes, stirring often.

Recipes to use up your apple butter:

• Apple Butter Little Smokies
• Slow Cooker Apple Butter Pork Chops
• Slow Cooker Cider Braised Pork Roast
• Apple Butter Snickerdoodles Recipe by Crazy for Crust
• Apple Butter Bread recipe by Don’t Sweat the recipe
• Apple Butter Old Fashioned Cocktail – Recipe by Simply Happy Foodie

How to store Apple Butter:

• This is not a canning recipe, canning requires a special recipe and precautions.
• You can store in small plastic or glass containers and refrigerate for up to a week.
• Freeze what you know you won’t use right away, leave about an inch of room at the top of your containers or jars. Freeze for up to a year.
• Thaw in the fridge the day before you need to use it.

Try another one of my butter or applesauce recipes:

• Slow Cooker Cinnamon Applesauce
• Slow Cooker Pumpkin Applesauce
• Slow Cooker Strawberry Applesauce
• Slow Cooker Raspberry Applesauce
• Slow Cooker Pumpkin Butter
• Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Butter

Want to make more magic in your crockpot? Stay up to date and subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.