Crock-Pot Apple Butter

Tangy, sweet, and lightly spiced Apple Butter is my middle son’s favorite homemade fruit spread and it’s way past time I share it with you.

Several years ago, I started making fruit jams, jellies, butters, and sauces at home and discovered just how simple they are to make and how much better they taste than store-bought.

I’ve made a few different versions of apple butter; this one is my favorite. The apple flavor is not overpowered by loads of different spices and it isn’t too sweet for my tastes.

Slow Cooker Apple Butter

When made on the stove, making apple butter can require a considerable amount of time and far more effort.

However, with a crockpot, all the stovetop hassle is removed. Simply toss in the ingredients and walk away. 

It really is that easy and it is the only way I made this recipe for the past ten years.

While it can take up to 8-10 hours to make this slow-cooker apple butter, the vast majority of that time is completely hands-off.

Once everything is in the crockpot, you’re free to carry on with your day without giving the apple butter another thought.

Get this started in the morning and enjoy the fragrance of simmering apple butter all day long, or put it in the crockpot before you go to bed to wake up to the aroma of cinnamon and apples.

The mouthwatering aroma as the apples simmer is one of my favorite things about making apple butter in a slow cooker.

Can I can this?

If you are new to canning, this is a great place to start. I use a simple boiling water bath for this recipe which requires little more than sterile jars and lids and a pot big enough to fit your jars.

Be sure to follow proper canning procedures for safety and effectiveness. When finished, your canned apple butter will last for months or up to a couple of years with no refrigeration required (until unsealed, of course).

As you know, people LOVE getting homemade gifts. (I know that I sure do! Homemade gifts are my favorite kind of gift.)

Make a big batch of this spread a few times a year so you always have a jar on hand to give as a teacher gift, hostess gift, or to share with a friend “just because.”

How to Use Apple Butter

I’m not exaggerating when I say the uses are countless. Of course, it’s delicious as a spread for toast, muffins, and crackers.

Who can resist a peanut butter and apple butter sandwich? Peanut butter and apples are a classic combination that everyone loves.

Make an everyday quick breakfast more exciting by mixing a generous spoonful into a bowl of oatmeal or yogurt.

If you’re looking for more homemade jam recipes, take a look at my Homemade Peach Jam , Habanero Peach Jam, and Cranberry Pepper Jam.

For more slow-cooker, apple-y goodness, look no further than my Stuffed Apples Recipe.

Crock-Pot Apple Butter Recipe

1. Place the apples in the crockpot and top with the sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cover with lid and set to HIGH. After a few hours, uncover, stir and continue cooking with the lid off.
2. Continue simmering until the mixture is thickened and dark brown. Stir occasionally, as needed to prevent sticking. When the liquid is absorbed, after 8-10 hours, blend until smooth. (I use an immersion blender right in the crockpot.) However, you can also transfer the apple mixture to a blender and puree it that way.
3. Once the apples are pureed, you can adjust the thickness by leaving the apples in the crockpot on LOW and uncovering it. It will slowly thicken that way. Stir occasionally, to prevent sticking to the sides of the crockpot. (I typically leave mine to simmer that way anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours.)
4. When the mixture has thickened and is finished, transfer it immediately into sterile canning jars.

This apple butter is everything you could want from a homemade preserve and so much more. It is:

• Packed with tangy, ever-so-slightly spiced goodness 
• Just the right amount of sweet without being too sugary
• Full of apple flavor 
• Easy to make, preserve and store
• Versatile enough to use in all kinds of both sweet and savory recipes
• Did I mention EASY?

Once you make this once, I know you’ll want to return to this recipe again and again.

Can I Make A Smaller Batch?

YES! I often make this recipe with just a couple pounds of apples, 1 cup of sugar, 2/3 teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of salt. It works beautifully to use up a few apples that are near the end of their deliciousness.

Just transfer the finished smaller batch into a jar and store in the refrigerator.

Slow cookers or crockpots are an appliance of which I have more than one. If you are an avid slow cooker user like I am, you might understand the need for more than one. So, let’s talk about my favorites:

First up is this 6-quart slow cooker that has a locking lid. These crockpots are fantastic for transporting foods. Mine has gone everywhere from church potlucks to barbecues, game nights to Thanksgiving dinner. However, fair warning, these slow cookers run crazy hot. Low is closer to a boil than a simmer, the warm setting actually simmers. So trust me when I say HIGH is high.

My everyday slow cooker is this 8-quart Crockpot. It’s my go-to appliance for cooking large roasts and big batches of chili. Fun fact: did you know that a full 4-quart cooker, actually cooks more slowly than a half-full 8-quart cooker?

For just cooking a few pounds of chicken to shred for enchiladas or other smaller recipes, this 3-quart version is perfect.

Thanksgiving has become a breeze since I have mastered how to hold all of the side dishes using these medium-sized round slow cookers.

If you aren’t a fan of the idea of keeping more than one slow cooker in the house, these CrockPockets are a game-changer when it comes to preparing and holding multiple dishes at the same time. They slide into a standard 6-quart crockpot, dividing it into two sections that are perfect for serving different side dishes or keeping taco fillings warm for parties.

{originally published on 4/12/12 – recipe notes updated 8/19/21}