Description
Homemade slow cooker apple butter delivers pure autumn comfort straight from your kitchen. Warm spices and caramelized apples create a luscious spread perfect for morning toast or holiday gifting.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 5 pounds (2.27 kilograms) apples (a mix of sweet and tart varieties)
Sweeteners:
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (220 grams) brown sugar
Spices and Seasoning:
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Carefully wash, peel, and dice apples into uniform chunks, ensuring they are roughly similar in size to promote even cooking and breakdown.
- Combine granulated and brown sugars with aromatic spices including cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and a pinch of salt in a mixing bowl.
- Transfer diced apples into the slow cooker and generously sprinkle the spice-sugar mixture over the fruit, thoroughly stirring to guarantee complete coating.
- Set slow cooker to low temperature and allow apples to simmer undisturbed for 8-10 hours, developing deep caramelized flavors and transforming into a rich, dark spread.
- Verify the consistency by testing with a spoon – the apple butter should be thick enough to maintain an upright position without collapsing.
- Utilize an immersion blender to transform the cooked mixture into a velvety, smooth texture, eliminating any remaining apple chunks.
- If the consistency appears too liquid, continue cooking uncovered on low heat for an additional 1-2 hours, stirring periodically to prevent scorching.
- Remove from heat and allow the apple butter to cool completely to room temperature before transferring into sterilized glass containers.
- Refrigerate for up to two weeks or freeze for extended preservation, ensuring optimal flavor and quality.
Notes
- Choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for maximum flavor and natural pectin that helps thicken the butter.
- Reduce sugar content by using half the recommended amount or replacing sugar with honey for a more natural sweetness profile.
- Prevent burning by stirring occasionally during the last hour of cooking and ensuring there’s enough moisture in the slow cooker.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours (low) or 4 hours (high)
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 10
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg