Cozy Slow Cooker Apple Butter Recipe Easy Homemade Fall Spread
A simple and forgiving slow cooker apple butter recipe that captures the essence of fall with warming spices and fresh apples, perfect for breakfasts, snacks, or gifts.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 to 10 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes to 10 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: About 4 cups (approximately 16 servings of 2 tablespoons each) 1x
- Category: Spread
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 pounds (about 1.8 kg) apples (mix of tart Granny Smith and sweet Fuji)
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar (adjust to taste; can swap for brown sugar)
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) water
Instructions
- Wash, peel, core, and chop the apples into roughly 1-inch (2.5 cm) pieces.
- In your slow cooker, add the chopped apples, sugar, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, vanilla extract, apple cider vinegar, and water. Stir to mix evenly.
- Set the slow cooker to low and cover. Cook for 8 to 10 hours, stirring every few hours if possible.
- After about 8 hours, check the softness of the apples. They should be very tender and easy to mash. If watery, remove the lid for the last hour to evaporate moisture.
- Use an immersion blender to puree the mixture until smooth and spreadable, or mash with a potato masher for chunkier texture.
- Let the apple butter cool completely before transferring to clean glass jars or airtight containers.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze for longer storage.
Notes
Adjust sugar to taste or replace with natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup after cooking. Stir occasionally during cooking to prevent sticking. Removing the lid in the last hour helps thicken the apple butter naturally. For chunkier texture, mash instead of blending. Can be made on stovetop with frequent stirring if no slow cooker is available.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons (30 g)
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 10
- Carbohydrates: 13
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 0.1
Keywords: apple butter, slow cooker, fall recipe, homemade spread, easy apple butter, cozy recipe, autumn, slow cooker recipe