Apple Butter is a fall staple. Made with freshly picked apples and warm spices, it’s a delicious way to add autumn flavor to toast, pancakes, oatmeal and so much more! This slow cooker recipe makes a large batch that can be canned or frozen so that you can use it all year long!
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Every fall, visiting a pumpkin patch and apple orchard is at the top of my must-do list. It’s something that I did long before I had kids and have continued each year since having my boys.
It all started at Milburn Orchards. When I was in my 20’s, my best friend and I would go every year. After moving to Utah and Colorado, my oldest son and I got to visit some new farms and orchards. Now that I’m back “home,” I’ll be returning to Milburn for the first time in a very long time. This time with both of my kids. I’m so excited!
We always pick apples when we visit and I always over-estimate how many we should get. This leaves us with a lot of apple pies, Apple Cranberry Crisp, and a lot of apple butter. And, none of us are complaining one bit!
The easiest way I’ve found to make apple butter is with a slow cooker.
Why This Recipe Works
- It’s a super easy recipe! Peel and chop, then let the slow cooker do almost all of the work for you.
- Apple butter has so many uses. Use this apple butter on toast, in oatmeal, on pancakes and waffles and so much more!
- You can can or freeze extra apple butter for later use.
How to Make Apple Butter in a Slow Cooker
Prep!
Peel and dice or slice the apples.
Tip: use a combination of sweeter apple varieties for the best flavor. While Granny Smith Apples are my go-to for baking, they don’t work as great in apple butter.
Create!
Add the apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, sugar, and brown sugar to a slow cooker and toss.
Cook on low for 10-12 hours.
Puree in a blender or with an immersion blender until smooth.
Present!
Serve warm or chilled.
Tips and Techniques for the Best Slow Cooker Apple Butter
- Use a combination of sweeter apple varieties for the best flavor.
- Store extra apple butter in air-tight containers in the refrigerator and use within 2-4 weeks. You can also store apple butter in freezer bags in the freezer or can it to greatly extend it’s shelf life.
FAQ’s
- What are the best apples to use for apple butter? You want to use sweeter apples for apple butter rather than more tart varieties. Some of the varieties that I often pick at the apple orchard that have made really great apple butter are: Braeburn, Jonamac, and Mcintosh. Other varieties that work great and can usually be easily found in grocery stores are: Golden Delicious, Fuji, and Gala.
- How do you can apple butter? Canning apple butter greatly extends the shelf life. You can follow this Canning Apple Butter tutorial on how to can apple butter.
- How long can you store apple butter in the freezer? You can freezer apple butter for up to a year.
Other Apple Recipes to Try
Love this Slow Cooker Apple Butter recipe? Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook for more!
Slow Cooker Apple Butter
Ingredients
- 6 pounds apples * peeled and diced
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar * packed - I used dark brown sugar
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a slow cooker, mix well.
- Cover and cook on low for 10-12 hours.
- Puree in a blender or with an immersion blender until smooth.
Notes
Tips and Techniques for the Best Slow Cooker Apple Butter
- Use a combination of sweeter apple varieties for the best flavor.
- Store extra apple butter in air-tight containers in the refrigerator and use within 2-4 weeks. You can also store apple butter in freezer bags in the freezer or can it to greatly extend it’s shelf life.
FAQ’s
- What are the best apples to use for apple butter? You want to use sweeter apples for apple butter rather than more tart varieties. Some of the varieties that I often pick at the apple orchard that have made really great apple butter are: Braeburn, Jonamac, and Mcintosh. Other varieties that work great and usually be easily found in grocery stores are: Golden Delicious, Fuji, and Gala.
- How do you can apple butter? Canning apple butter greatly extends the shelf life. You can follow this Canning Apple Butter tutorial on how to can apple butter.
- How long can you store apple butter in the freezer? You can freezer apple butter for up to a year.
