Jenn
There’s nothing quite like the sweet aroma of apples and warm spices filling your home. This slow cooker apple butter is a foolproof, hands-off recipe that transforms fresh apples (or even apples that have seen better days!) into a velvety, caramelized spread. Slow-cooked with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of vanilla, this apple butter is the perfect balance of sweet and spiced. Spread it on toast, swirl it into oatmeal, or gift a jar to a friend—however you enjoy it, this homemade apple butter is a cozy fall favorite!
What you will need:
- apples
- sugar
- brown sugar
- lemon
- nutmeg
- vanilla
- cinnamon
- salt
Prepare the Apples: Peel, core, and chop the apples into small pieces.
Season the Apples: Add the chopped apples to your slow cooker and drizzle with lemon juice. Sprinkle in the sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt, then stir until the apples are evenly coated.
Start Cooking: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on high for 1 hour.
Slow Simmer: After 1 hour, give the apples a stir, then reduce the heat to low and let them cook for another 4-6 hours until they are soft and caramelized.
Blend Until Smooth: Once the apples are fully cooked, use an immersion blender to puree the mixture until smooth. If using a regular blender, blend in batches for best results.
Final Simmer: Stir in the vanilla extract and continue cooking on low for another 1 ½ to 2 hours, stirring frequently, until the apple butter thickens to a rich, spreadable consistency. Allow it to cool slightly before serving.
Store and Enjoy: Transfer the apple butter to a clean glass jar and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks. Spread it on toast, swirl into oatmeal, or enjoy by the spoonful!
Spiced Slow Cooker Apple Butter
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
- Immersion Blender or regular blender
Ingredients
- 10-12 apples sweeter apples like honeycrisp and red delicious work well
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Peel and core the apples and cut them into small pieces.
- Add the apples to your slow cooker and sprinkle with lemon juice. Add the sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt, and stir everything until well combined and all apples are coated with the mixture.10-12 apples, 1 cup dark brown sugar, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1 1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp nutmeg
- Place the lid onto the slow cooker and cook on high heat for 1 hour.
- After 1 hour has passed, stir the apples, then turn to low for 5 hours.
- Once the cooking time is up, use an immersion blender or a regular blender to puree the mixture until smooth. If using a regular blender I recommend doing this step in batches.
- Once the mixture is smooth, add in the vanilla and cook on low heat for an additional 1 1/2 to 2 hours stirring frequently. Let the apple butter cool slightly and enjoy!1 1/2 tsp vanilla
