Description

This Crockpot Apple Butter recipe delivers a rich, spiced spread made from slow-cooked apples blended into a smooth, flavorful butter. With a blend of sweet and tart apples combined with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, this homemade apple butter is perfect for spreading on toast, biscuits, or using as a versatile dessert topping. The slow cooking process in a crockpot allows the flavors to meld beautifully while creating a thick, luscious texture.

Ingredients

Scale

Apple Mixture

5 lbs apples (use a mix of sweet and tart varieties), peeled, cored, and chopped (about 10 cups)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Pinch of salt
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Juice of 1 lemon

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Instructions

Prepare the Apples: Peel, core, and chop the apples into chunks until you have about 10 cups of chopped fruit to start the recipe.
Combine Ingredients in Crockpot: Place the chopped apples into the crockpot, then add granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Stir everything well to combine flavors evenly.
Cook on Low Heat: Cover the crockpot with its lid and cook on low heat for 8 to 10 hours. Stir occasionally. During this time, the apples will release their juices and soften until tender.
Blend or Mash: Once the apples are very tender and have cooked down, use an immersion blender to blend the mixture until smooth if you prefer a fine texture. Alternatively, use a potato masher for a chunkier apple butter.
Thicken the Apple Butter: Continue cooking uncovered on low for an additional 1 to 2 hours to thicken the apple butter. Stir regularly to prevent it from sticking to the bottom and to achieve the desired consistency.
Store or Can: Let the apple butter cool completely before transferring it to clean, sterilized jars or containers to store.
Refrigerate or Freeze: Store the apple butter in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for longer shelf life. For preserving several months, follow proper canning procedures carefully.
Enjoy: Spread your homemade Crockpot Apple Butter on toast, biscuits, or use it as a delicious topping or filling for a variety of desserts.

Notes

Use a mix of sweet and tart apples to achieve a balanced flavor in your apple butter.
You can adjust the amount of sugar depending on the sweetness of your apples and personal preference.
Stir occasionally during cooking to prevent the apple butter from sticking or burning.
For chunkier texture, mash instead of blending the cooked apples.
If canning for long-term storage, follow USDA-approved canning guidelines to ensure safety.