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The Magical Slow Cooker » Recipes » Breakfast » Slow Cooker Apple Butter

Slow Cooker Apple Butter

by Sarah Olson on October 15, 2021 | Updated June 18, 2022 61 Comments

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collage of apple butter photos for pinterest
Apple butter images with text of what the ingredients are.
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. All you need is apples, brown sugar, and spices!

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

slow cooker half full of cooked apple butter

I 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 a 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 recipes.

Recipe Ingredients

Ingredients for apple butter, apples, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and brown sugar.
  • Apples – You can use any variety; my favorite is variety is gala or Fuji. I like to use fresh juicy apples; it makes for better apple butter.
  • Brown sugar – I add the brown sugar at the beginning of the cooking time. This will deepen the color of the apple butter as it cooks.
  • Spices – This is the key to flavorful apple butter. We use cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg in this recipe.

Step-by-step directions

4 photo collage: Apples. Sliced and peeled apples. Apples with seasonings. Stirred apples.

Step 1 – Start with 5 pounds of apples. You can use any variety; I use gala.

Step 2 – Peel, core, slice five pounds of apples and add to a 6-quart or larger slow cooker.

Step 3 – Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.

Step 4 – Stir to coat the apples with the seasonings and brown sugar.

apples after cooking for apple butter

Step 5 – Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 5 hours or LOW for 8-10 hours.

finished apple butter in crockpot

Step 6 – When the cooking time is up, place the apple butter into a blender and place on the lid. Also, place a towel over the top of the cover in case the blender lid leaks. Hold the lid and pulse until smooth. Or, if you have an immersion blender, place it right into the slow cooker and blend until smooth. OR use an immersion blender right in the slow cooker to blend the apple butter.

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.
apple butter in jars

How do I serve apple butter?

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

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
  • Slow Cooker Apple Butter Meatballs
  • Apple Butter Bread recipe by Don’t Sweat the recipe
Apple butter on grain toast

How to store Apple Butter:

  • This is not a canning recipe; canning requires a special recipe and precautions.
  • You can store it in small plastic or glass containers and refrigerate it 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. Straight sided mason jars are freezer safe (not ones with rounded shoulders).

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.

slow cooker half full of cooked apple butter

Slow Cooker Apple Butter

4.97 from 33 votes
Thick and cinnamon spiced apple butter made in the slow cooker. Rich and flavorful, great on toast or use in recipes.
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Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 5 hours
Total Time: 5 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 15
Calories: 136kcal
Author: Sarah Olson

Equipment Needed:

  • Slow Cooker- 6 quart or larger
  • Blender or an immersion blender

Ingredients:

  • 5 lbs. apples Any variety works fine! (I use gala)
  • 1 cup brown sugar packed
  • 1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
  • 2 dashes salt
US Customary – Metric

Instructions:

  • Peel, core and slice the apples.
  • Add the apples to the slow cooker. Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
  • Stir.
  • Cover and cook on HIGH for 5 hours or LOW for 8-10 hours.
  • After the apples have cooked, place them and any liquid that the apples made into a blender, cover with lid, and a towel on top of that (to prevent burns, in case the lid flies off). Hold the lid on while the blender is on. Pulse for about a minute, until very smooth.
    OR use an immersion blender right in the slow cooker (as shown in the video).
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How to Video:

Recipe Notes:

You can use apple pie spice instead of these individual spices. Use 1 Tablespoon plus one teaspoon of apple pie spice.
How can I use my apple butter?
  • Toast or croissants
  • Biscuits
  • On 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.
How do I store this 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. Straight-sided mason jars are freezer safe (not ones with rounded shoulders).
  • Thaw in the fridge the day before you need to use it.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 136kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 57mg | Potassium: 181mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 82IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

Made this recipe?I want to see your photos! Tag me on Instagram @themagicalslowcooker

Try another one of my fruit recipes:

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

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    28062 shares
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    Filed Under: Breakfast

    Comments

    1. Marie says

      December 2, 2021 at 4:53 am

      5 stars
      This recipe is amazing thank you so much. The only thing I like to add is a tsp of vanilla extract. I love that I can prep this in the morning and when I get home from work all I have to do is blend it.

      Reply
    2. A.J.E. says

      November 26, 2021 at 9:47 am

      5 stars
      Absolutely delicious! Made it for Thanksgiving – whole family loved it! Definitely planning on making again.

      Reply
    3. Hazel R. says

      October 24, 2021 at 9:00 pm

      5 stars
      Turned out lovely and very tasty … Thank you

      Reply
    4. Brandy Lochridge says

      October 20, 2021 at 6:19 pm

      5 stars
      My grandma (like mom) Beverly got me hooked on apple butter when I was younger, and I still eat it every chance I can get. It’s one of my comfort foods along with malt o meal/cream of wheat.

      Reply
    5. PNL says

      October 11, 2021 at 8:12 am

      5 stars
      I use this recipe and have two crocks cooking overnight 8-10 hours. I just use a whisk since I’m okay with very no small chunks of apples in my butter. I do can mine. I’ve found that if I pack my crock to the top w apples, I get about 5 pints per crock. I place the jars on a rack in the canner and boil for about 10 minutes. Great Christmas gifts.

      Reply
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