Jar of homemade pumpkin butter on wooden table with spoon and mini pumpkins in background

Slow Cooker Apple Butter

by

Cozy, spiced, and naturally sweet pure fall in a jar

Get ready for the coziest fall recipe ever this Slow Cooker Apple Butter is autumn comfort in its purest form! 🍁✨ Sweet apples, cinnamon, and vanilla slowly simmer for hours until they turn into a thick, golden-brown spread that’s smooth, caramelized, and full of orchard-fresh flavor. No stirring, no stress just set it, forget it, and let your slow cooker do all the work. Spread it on toast, swirl it into oatmeal, or jar it up as a beautiful homemade gift. Bonus: your house will smell absolutely heavenly all day long. This fall favorite is simple, wholesome, and guaranteed to become your new seasonal tradition! 🍎💛

Time Breakdown

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8–10 hours (slow cooker)
  • Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
  • Servings: 4 cups (about 4 small jars)

Ingredients List

  • 5 pounds apples, peeled, cored, and chopped (Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji work great)
  • 1 cup brown sugar (adjust for sweetness)
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free:

  • Slow cooker or Crock-Pot
  • Peeler and paring knife
  • Measuring cups & spoons
  • Wooden spoon
  • Immersion blender or regular blender
  • Glass jars or containers for storage

Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions

  1. 🍎 Prep the apples: Peel, core, and chop apples into medium chunks.
  2. 🥣 Mix everything in: Add apples, sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt, and lemon juice to your slow cooker. Stir to coat evenly.
  3. 🕓 Slow cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 8–10 hours, stirring occasionally, until apples are deep brown and very soft.
  4. 🌀 Blend it smooth: Use an immersion blender (or transfer to a regular blender) to purée until silky smooth.
  5. ✨ Add finishing touch: Stir in vanilla extract and cook uncovered for 30 minutes more to thicken.
  6. 🍯 Store it: Cool completely, then spoon into jars. Refrigerate up to 3 weeks or freeze for 6 months.

💡 Multitasking Tip: Make this overnight you’ll wake up to the dreamiest fall aroma imaginable!

Pro Tips

  • Apple Choices: Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for the best depth of flavor.
  • Thickness Trick: Cook uncovered for an extra hour for a thicker, caramelized butter.
  • Gift Idea: Spoon into jars, tie with twine, and label for the perfect homemade holiday gift!
  • Serving Ideas: Spread on toast, swirl into yogurt, drizzle on pancakes, or pair with sharp cheddar.

Nutrition Table

Serving SizeCaloriesProteinCarbsFatFiberSugar
2 tbsp450g12g0g1g10g