Description

This Slow Cooker Apple Butter recipe transforms 24 medium apples into a rich, spiced, and creamy spread perfect for breakfasts, snacks, or baking. Simmered gently with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and sweetened naturally with honey, this homemade apple butter is easy to make and stores beautifully through canning.

Ingredients

Scale

Fruit

24 medium apples (a mix of sweet and tart varieties), washed and cored, cut into ½ inch pieces

Spices & Sweetener

1½ tablespoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cloves
½ cup honey

Instructions

Prepare Apples: Wash the apples thoroughly, especially since the skins will remain on for natural pectin and texture. Core them and slice into approximately half-inch pieces. Place all pieces into a 6-quart slow cooker.
Add Flavorings: Pour honey over the apples, then add ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Stir gently but thoroughly until all apple pieces are evenly coated with the spices and honey.
Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set it to low heat. Cook for 8 to 10 hours until the apples are very soft, bubbly, and easily mashed, allowing flavors to fully develop.
Puree the Mixture: Using an immersion blender, process the cooked apples in the slow cooker until completely smooth, ensuring no chunks remain for a creamy apple butter texture.
Jar the Apple Butter: Transfer the warm apple butter into airtight containers like sterilized glass jars or storage containers for refrigeration or canning.
Prepare for Canning: Thoroughly wash pint-sized jars and start heating water for a hot water bath to sterilize and seal the jars safely.
Fill Jars: Spoon the warm apple butter into the sterilized jars, leaving appropriate headspace as per canning guidelines.
Seal Jars: Wipe rims clean to ensure proper sealing, then place lids and screw on rings firmly but not overly tight.
Process Jars: Submerge the jars in the hot water bath ensuring at least half an inch of water covers the top. Process for 20 minutes to preserve the apple butter safely.
Cool and Store: Remove jars carefully and let them rest undisturbed at room temperature for 24 hours. Check seals before storing in a cool, dark place.

Notes

Using a mix of apple varieties (sweet and tart) creates a more complex and balanced flavor.
Honey is used as a natural sweetener; adjust quantity based on apple sweetness and personal preference.
Leaving the skins on adds pectin which helps thicken the apple butter naturally.
Do not skip the hot water bath canning step if planning to store at room temperature for extended periods.
Store opened apple butter in the refrigerator and consume within 2-3 weeks for best quality.
If you prefer a chunkier texture, blend less or mash apples manually instead of pureeing completely smooth.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 8 to 10 hours
Category: Condiment, Spread
Method: Slow Cooking, Blending, Canning
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 tablespoons (about 30g)
Calories: 50
Sugar: 11g
Sodium: 2mg
Fat: 0.1g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 0.1g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 14g
Fiber: 1.5g
Protein: 0.2g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: slow cooker apple butter, homemade apple butter, easy apple spread, slow cooker recipes, canned apple butter, fall recipes, spiced apple butter