Slow Cooker Apple Butter
Now that fall is officially here apples are in abundance. When my kids were younger we used to take them to the apple farms and pick our very own apples. We’d bring them home to make Apple Butter among many other recipes, and simply eat them raw.
If you’ve done the same thing with your kids or alone, you know that you never just come home with one basket of apples. More likely, so many, that you can’t imagine how you’ll use all of them.
Finding recipes using apples becomes a massive hunt to spare yourself having to dispose of rotten apples. That’s why I love making recipes like Apple Butter, requiring the use of many apples at a time.
At the beginning of the month I shared with you a 40 minute Homemade Apple Butter that many might say looks more like chunky applesauce. That Apple Butter in my opinion had more the flavor of real apples rather than loaded with spices, and sugar. I loved the pure fresh taste of the 40 minute Homemade Apple Butter. However, I also love the warm spicy flavor of this Slow Cooker Apple Butter. Each has its place at the table.
The recipe below requires approximately 10 hours in a slow cooker, followed up with an additional 2-3 hours on high heat in the slow cooker. Giving it a grand total of approximately 13 hours.
Once cooked down to a creamy liquid base, it’s ready to spread on whatever you care to smear it on. Or you can add the Apple Butter to recipes, to enhance the flavor and moisture content. It adds a whole new dimension to recipes.
I’ve never quite understood why they call this Apple Butter, when in reality there’s no butter in it. However, it’s smooth and silky just like butter, guilt-free, and can be stored for several weeks in the refrigerator without much of a fuss.
For this recipe I chose 3 varieties of apples from tart to sweet, for a nice balance:
- Granny Smith – sharp in flavor, acidic and crisp
- Honeycrisp – sweet & crisp
- Golden Delicious – exceptionally sweet & crisp
If you have a slow cooker you’ll love waking up to this in the morning after it’s been slowly cooking all night. Enjoy on whatever comforts you. We like it on our Apple Pie Bread. On a chilly day, Apple Butter simply soothes the soul!
Slow Cooker Apple Butter
Ingredients:
- 6 1/2 lbs. of Apples, peeled, cored and cut into large chunks (Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, & Honeycrisp)
- 1/2 cup of Granulated Sugar
- 1/2 cup of Brown Sugar
- 1 ½ Tbsp of Pumpkin Pie Spice
- 1/2 tsp of Salt
- 2 tsp of Pure Vanilla Bean Paste*
Directions:
- 1. Place all ingredients in a slow cooker, cook on low for approximately 8 to 10 hours.
- 2. Puree with an immersion blender, and continue to cook vented (partially covered) for about 2-3 hours or until thickened. While still hot spoon or funnel into Mason jars, and seal with lid. Allow to cool on counter, then refrigerate.
- 3. Store in refrigerator for up to 3 weeks or freeze for a few months.
Hungry for more fall recipes? Savor these!
Brandied Apple Brioche Pudding
Hi, I’m Vicki Bensinger! I have been teaching culinary classes throughout Missouri since 1992. I offer personalized private culinary classes for individuals and small groups in the comfort of your home or organization.
So easy! I love this recipe and there are so many ways I can think of to use the apple butter!
Thanks Chris. I know the possibilities are endless!
Easy peasy and the result is awesome! That bread loaf looks great too, Vicki.
Thanks Angie!
Really nice! And using the slow cooker is such an easy way to make this. Haven’t had apple butter in years, and now of course you have me craving it. 🙂
It’s one of those treats I tend to crave once fall sets in. So good and comforting!
I love the idea of the slow cooker doing all the work! Both this and your apple pie bread look scrumptious!
Hello, Vicki.
I am absolutely gonna print this recipe. It just looks so delicious. I bet my niece would finish this within a week. The bread looks great too. Just a perfect combination.