Description
This Crockpot Apple Butter recipe offers a deliciously rich and spiced spread made from a blend of sweet and tart apples slow-cooked to perfection. Utilizing a crockpot allows the apples to soften and meld with warm spices, creating a smooth, thickened butter that’s perfect for toast, biscuits, or desserts. Easy to prepare and cook with minimal effort, this homemade apple butter captures the essence of cozy fall flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Apples
- 5 lbs apples (use a mix of sweet and tart varieties), peeled, cored, and chopped
Spices and Sugar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- Pinch of salt
Additional Flavorings
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- Juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Prepare the Apples: Peel, core, and chop the apples into chunks, aiming for about 10 cups of chopped apples to ensure the right consistency and quantity.
- Combine Ingredients in Crockpot: Place the chopped apples into the crockpot, then add granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Stir well to evenly combine all ingredients.
- Cook on Low Heat: Cover the crockpot with its lid and cook on low heat for 8 to 10 hours. Stir occasionally during cooking; the apples will release their juices and become very tender as they slowly cook down.
- Blend or Mash: Once the apples are tender and fully cooked, use an immersion blender to blend the mixture until smooth. For a chunkier texture, you can instead mash with a potato masher.
- Thicken the Apple Butter: Continue cooking the blended apple mixture uncovered on low heat for an additional 1 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. This step thickens the apple butter to your desired consistency.
- Store or Can: Allow the apple butter to cool completely before transferring to clean, sterilized jars or containers. For best preservation, follow safe canning procedures if storing long term, or refrigerate for up to 2 weeks and freeze for extended storage.
- Enjoy: Spread your homemade apple butter on toast, biscuits, or use it as a flavorful topping or filling in desserts to enjoy the warm, spiced taste of fall anytime.
Notes
- Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for balanced flavor and natural sweetness.
- Stir occasionally during cooking to avoid burning and promote even cooking.
- Adjust spices to taste, adding more cinnamon or cloves for a stronger spice profile.
- Ensure jars are properly sterilized if you plan to can the apple butter for shelf stability.
- Apple butter can be stored refrigerated for about 2 weeks or frozen for longer periods.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
