Crock Pot Apple Butter Recipe

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 05/29/22
crock pot apple butter
The Spruce / Diana Rattray
Prep: 30 mins
Cook: 9 hrs
Total: 9 hrs 30 mins
Servings: 32 servings
Yield: 4 cups
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
74 Calories
0g Fat
19g Carbs
0g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 32
Amount per serving
Calories 74
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 7mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 19g 7%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Total Sugars 16g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 4mg 20%
Calcium 11mg 1%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 98mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Homemade apple butter is an excellent way to enjoy fresh seasonal fruit and it goes well with so many foods. Spread apple butter over your morning toast or English muffins or spoon it onto split biscuits.

Long, slow cooking breaks the apple butter down to make a super smooth, buttery spread. Include both tart and sweet varieties in the apple butter for complex flavor. If the majority of your apples are tart, you might need more sugar. Taste the mixture when you add the vanilla and adjust with more granulated or brown sugar as needed.

Made with warm spices, this apple butter makes a flavorful replacement for applesauce in baked goods or dips. If your recipe calls for pumpkin butter or purée, you can also replace it with apple butter. Apple butter is also a great addition to a charcuterie board or cheese plate.

Ingredients

  • 6 pounds apples (about 12 to 18, depending on size)

  • 3/4 cup brown sugar

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar

  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

  • 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    ingredients for slow cooker apple butter
    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

  2. Peel, core, and slice the apples.

    peel, core, and slicing apples
    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

  3. Put the apple slices in the slow cooker and add the brown and granulated sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and cloves.

    apples with spices in crock pot
    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

  4. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 3 1/2 to 4 hours. When the time is up, add the vanilla extract; stir to blend, and turn the slow cooker on high. Cook, uncovered, for 1 hour longer.

    apple butter in the slow cooker
    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

  5. Use an immersion blender to purée the apples or transfer them to a food processor or blender.

    blending apple butter
    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

  6. Blend until the apple butter is smooth.

    smooth apple butter
    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

  7. Spoon the apple butter into jars or freezer containers.  

    crock pot apple butter spread
    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Use Caution When Blending Hot Ingredients

Steam expands quickly in a blender and can cause ingredients to splatter everywhere or cause burns. To prevent this, fill the blender a little less than half, vent the top, and cover with a folded kitchen towel while blending.

Tips

  • If the apple butter is not as thick as you'd like, continue to cook it on high, uncovered, until thickened. Keep in mind it will thicken more as it cools.
  • If you like a chunkier texture, don't blend it or use a potato masher to break up any larger pieces.
  • If you would like to avoid peeling the apples, just core and slice them and then put the finished apple mixture through a food mill.

How Can You Use Apple Butter?

  • Spread it on toasted bread, English muffins, scones, or biscuits.
  • Add a small bowl of apple butter to a fruit and cheese platter or charcuterie board.
  • Use it as a replacement for applesauce or pumpkin purée in baking recipes.
  • Swirl some into a bowl of oatmeal.
  • Serve it as a condiment along with cooked ham or sausages.
  • Make a spread with 8 ounces of softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup of apple butter. 
  • Use it as a spread on a turkey or ham sandwich along with a savory spread.

Does Apple Butter Need to Be Refrigerated?

Unless your recipe is made specifically for home canning, apple butter must be refrigerated. Refrigerate homemade apple butter for up to 1 week.

Can You Freeze Apple Butter?

Yes, apple butter may be frozen. Spoon the apple butter into freezer containers or zip-close freezer bags and freeze it for up to 12 months. If you plan to freeze the apple butter in glass canning jars, use wide-mouth jars and leave at least 1 inch of headspace to allow for expansion.

Helpful Links

Slow Cooker Tips and Tricks

The 11 Best Apples for Applesauce