Wake up to the delightful aroma of homemade apple butter with this effortless slow cooker recipe. Enjoy a rich, spiced spread that’s perfect for toast, oatmeal, or pancakes.
Author:Olivia
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:8-10 hours
Total Time:10 hours 22 minutes
Yield:Approximately 6-8 cups 1x
Category:Condiment
Method:Slow Cooker
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
6–8 pounds of apples (Fuji, Gala, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Braeburn)
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar (optional)
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
a pinch of allspice
1 teaspoon ground ginger (optional)
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup water (about)
Instructions
Prepare the Apples: Peel, core, and chop the apples into roughly 1-inch pieces. Place them directly into the slow cooker, squeezing a little lemon juice over them to prevent browning.
Combine Ingredients: Add the brown sugar, granulated sugar (if using), cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, lemon juice, and water over the apples. Stir to coat the apples with the spices and sugar.
Start the Overnight Cook: Cover the slow cooker and set it to the LOW setting. Let it cook overnight.
Morning Check & Initial Mash: In the morning, check the apples; they should be soft. Use a potato masher to break down any larger chunks or blend for a smoother texture.
Further Reduction & Thickening: Keep the slow cooker on LOW, remove the lid, and cook for another 1-3 hours, stirring occasionally until thickened and darkened.
Cool and Store: Once desired thickness is reached, turn off the slow cooker and allow it to cool completely before transferring to jars or containers.