There’s something magical about the smell of slow-cooked apples and spices filling your kitchen, it wraps around you like a cozy blanket on a crisp fall morning. That’s exactly what you get with this easy Crockpot Apple Butter recipe. It’s sweet, spiced just right, and spreads like a dream over warm toast or biscuits.
Making apple butter in a slow cooker means zero babysitting and all the flavor. With just a handful of ingredients, apples, spices, a splash of vanilla, you’ll end up with a rich, caramelized spread that’s 100% worth the wait. Whether you’re meal-prepping for the holidays or just want something homemade and nostalgic in your fridge, this slow cooker apple butter delivers. It’s naturally sweet, packed with flavor, and shockingly easy to make. Let’s just say, once you try this, the store-bought kind will never measure up.
Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Apple Butter
The first time I made this crockpot apple butter, I remember thinking, “Why did I ever buy this in a jar?” The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, and your house smells incredible all day long. I’ve gifted jars of it to neighbors, served it at brunch, and even used it in baking, and it always gets rave reviews.
Here’s why you’ll love it:
- Crazy easy – Dump everything in the slow cooker and walk away. No stirring. No stress.
- Naturally sweet – No added sugar needed when you start with sweet apples.
- Versatile – Use it as a spread, swirl it into oatmeal, or dollop it on pancakes.
- Make-ahead magic – Keeps well in the fridge or freezer, perfect for gifting or meal prep.
- Warm & cozy flavor – Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves bring out that classic fall taste.
Ingredients Breakdown
Let’s talk about what makes this crockpot apple butter so special:
Variations & Substitutions
Want to switch things up or make it your own? Try these easy tweaks:
STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1: Add everything to the slow cooker
Toss in your chopped apples, spices, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Give it a stir to coat the apples evenly.
Step 2: Cook low and slow
Cover and cook on low for about 10 hours. Yep, 10. The apples should be super soft and swimming in their own juice.
Step 3: Blend it up
Use an immersion blender right in the pot or transfer to a regular blender (in batches if needed). Blend until silky smooth.
Step 4: Thicken if needed
If it’s too thin, cook uncovered for another hour or two. Stir occasionally until it darkens and thickens to your liking.
Step 5: Let it cool and jar it
Spoon into jars or containers once cooled. It’ll thicken more as it chills.
A Few Helpful Tips
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
This stuff is pure fall-in-a-jar. Here’s how we love to use it:
Storage, Reheating, and Freezing Tips
Apple butter thickens as it cools, so don’t worry if it seems a little loose at first.
FAQ
Enjoying This Crockpot Apple Butter
This recipe feels like fall wrapped in a jar. I love making a batch when the leaves start changing, it’s my signal that the cozy season has arrived. Whether you’re spreading it on biscuits, gifting it to friends, or sneaking a spoonful straight from the jar, this slow cooker apple butter is one of those simple pleasures that just hits different.
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Tried this recipe? Don’t forget to leave a rating and a comment below! We’d love to hear how it turned out for you. If you made any tweaks or added your own spin, let us know how it went, we’re all about seeing how y’all make it your own!
Easy Crockpot Apple Butter: No Peeling Needed!
There’s just something magical about the smell of apples and spices simmering away in the kitchen. This crockpot apple butter is one of my favorite low-effort, high-reward recipes to make when fall rolls around. It’s thick, silky, and packed with rich apple flavor, perfect for spreading on toast, stirring into oatmeal, or honestly, just sneaking a spoonful straight from the jar.
- Total Time: 7 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 3 cups
Ingredients
3 ½ pounds (about 8) gala apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
½ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup light brown sugar packed
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a 5 quart slow cooker.
- Stir to combine then cover with the lid.
- Cook for 6 hours on low heat, stirring every hour to ensure even cooking.
- Turn the slow cooker off then use an immersion blender to blend the apple butter until smooth.
- Let it cool for 1 hour before serving.
Notes
- You can absolutely can this apple butter if you want to save it for later or give it as a sweet homemade gift.
- Freezing works too, just let it cool, pop it in a freezer-safe container, and it’ll keep for up to a year.
- Use peeled or unpeeled apples, whatever your preference. The peels blend right in at the end, so it’s totally up to you.
- No immersion blender? No problem! A handheld electric mixer works just fine to get that smooth, silky texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours
- Category: Dips & Sauces
- Method: Crockpot
- Cuisine: American
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you might also LIKE TO check out
- USDA – Food Safety and Inspection
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health – Nutrition Source
- America’s Test Kitchen – Science of Cooking Section
