Description
A rich, concentrated, and deeply flavorful apple butter made with just five ingredients in a slow cooker. This forgiving, set-it-and-forget-it recipe yields a glossy, mahogany-colored spread perfect for toast, gifts, or holiday baking.
Ingredients
- 6–8 pounds apples (mixed tart and sweet, cored and chopped, skins on)
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Wash apples thoroughly. Remove cores and stems, then chop into rough chunks. Place apple pieces into a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Add brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, salt, and lemon juice over the apples. Pour in the water and stir briefly to distribute spices.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours until apples are completely soft and falling apart.
- Puree the mixture using an immersion blender directly in the pot until smooth. Alternatively, blend in batches using a standard blender, allowing steam to escape carefully.
- Stir in the butter. Return to the slow cooker, leaving the lid slightly ajar or uncovered, and cook on HIGH for 1-2 hours until the mixture thickens. Test by placing a spoonful on a cold plate; it should hold its shape.
- Let the apple butter cool for 15 minutes. Ladle into clean mason jars, leaving 1/2 inch of headspace. Seal and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, freeze for up to 6 months, or process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes for shelf-stable storage.
Notes
Do not peel the apples; the skins add color and natural pectin which helps thickening. Avoid Red Delicious apples as they stay firm and mealy. Use a mix of tart (Granny Smith) and sweet (Honeycrisp, Fuji) apples for best flavor. The cold plate test is the best way to determine if the apple butter has thickened enough. If using a regular blender, blend in batches and vent the lid to avoid steam burns.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 7-10 hours
- Category: Condiments
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 45
- Sugar: 9
- Sodium: 15
- Fat: 0.5
- Saturated Fat: 0.3
- Carbohydrates: 11
- Fiber: 1
Keywords: apple butter, slow cooker recipes, homemade preserves, fall recipes, apple butter recipe, vegan apple butter, gluten-free recipes, holiday gifts