Description
This Slow Cooker Apple Butter recipe transforms fresh apples into a rich, spiced spread perfect for toast, baking, or as a flavorful addition to various dishes. With a blend of sweet and tart apples, warming spices, and slow cooking, it develops deep flavors and a luscious, smooth texture achieved effortlessly in your slow cooker.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits
- 5 lbs apples (a mix of sweet and tart varieties)
Spices and Sugars
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prep the apples: Wash, peel, core, and chop the apples into roughly 1-inch cubes. Precision is not necessary as the apples will break down during cooking.
- Mix ingredients: Place the chopped apples into the slow cooker. In a separate bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Pour this spice and sugar mixture over the apples and stir well to ensure everything is evenly coated.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 8 to 10 hours, or on high heat for 4 to 6 hours. A longer cooking time will deepen the color and intensify the flavor of the apple butter.
- Check for doneness: The apple butter is ready when it turns a dark brown color and has significantly reduced in volume. When a spoon is placed in the mixture, it should stand upright without falling over, indicating the right consistency.
- Blend: Use an immersion blender directly in the slow cooker to puree the apple butter until smooth. If you don’t have an immersion blender, carefully transfer the cooked mixture in batches to a food processor and blend until creamy.
- Finish cooking: If the apple butter is not thick enough after blending, cook it uncovered on low heat for an additional 1 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even thickening.
- Cool and store: Allow the apple butter to cool completely before transferring it into sterilized jars. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze it for extended storage.
Notes
- You can adjust the sugar amounts to suit your sweetness preference or to accommodate the natural sweetness of your apples.
- A mix of sweet and tart apples (such as Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, and Honeycrisp) provides a well-balanced flavor.
- Use sterilized jars to ensure longer shelf life and prevent spoilage.
- If you prefer a chunkier texture, blend less thoroughly or mash with a spoon instead of fully pureeing.
- Adding a splash of lemon juice can enhance the flavor and help preserve the apple butter’s color.
