My poor Crock-Pot. Sitting neglected up in a cupboard for years at a time without so much as a glance. For all the time I spend stressing about what’s for dinner, you’d think it would have a prominent place on my countertop. I finally pulled it down a few weeks back and it hasn’t seen the cupboard since. I can’t keep it clean long enough to put it away!
Anyway, on to the real topic of this post, and that is apple butter. Mmm…apple butter. Growing up in Lake Tahoe, it was a fall tradition to drive down to Apple Hill and one of the things we often brought home was apple butter. It’s delicious on toast, biscuits, pancakes, or a spoon. Not only is it easy to make your own apple butter, but there’s an added bonus: it will make your house smell amazing. Forget the candles and potpourri. While it’s cooking you should go outside, just so you can come back in and experience the full effect.
You can use just about any kind of apples for this recipe. Jonagold apples were the star of my batch, Gala, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith or a combination of these will work well. This recipe was tested using a small (2.5 quart) slow cooker, it could easily be doubled if you are using one with a larger capacity. I used a blender to achieve a smoother texture after cooking. (Hey Santa, if you are reading, I want one of these!)
If planning to store your apple butter or use as a gift, you may wish to can it in a boiling water bath. A step by step tutorial on this process can be found here. Without canning, keep refrigerated and use within a month or two.
Slow Cooker Apple Butter (adapted from Eclectic Recipes)
Yield: 2 Pints
Printable Recipe
Ingredients:
6 apples
1 1/2 cups apple cider (or apple juice)
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
Directions:
1. Peel, core and chop apples, add to slow cooker.
2. Add cider/juice, sugar and spices.
3. Cook on high until bubbly.
4. Reduce heat to low and cook 6-8 hours, stirring every hour. When done, the apple butter will have thickened and be a deep brown color.
5. For a smoother texture, blend to break down any remaining chunks of apple.
You know what’s even better than apple butter? Apple Butter Cupcakes of course!
I love that this just sounds so easy to do thanks
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I bought my mom one of the first Braun hand-held blenders when they came out way back when and we’ve used it ever since. They are really great to have around!
Um YUM! I love apple butter but didn’t know I can make it in the slow cooker.
I never thought to make this in a slow cooker…BRILLIANCE!
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Ooooo — I ADORE apple butter and I just happen to have everything this recipe calls for. I think I know what I’m making today!
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Oh — do you think Golden Delicious would work? They’re pretty small . . . hmmm. Thoughts?
Rachel recently posted..Nosh Time &8212 My New Favorite Bread recipe
Golden Delicious should definitely work. The apples I used were medium-large, so I think I’d use 7 or 8 smaller ones.
As it takes a good while to cook, it could keep you up late if you start it this afternoon – just a fair warning.
My mom used to make apple butter. Maybe I need to make my own with your recipe. LOL. I guess we will see.
Fabulous! I think I’ll make some
Ugh…you are making me hungry now…lol
I’ve never tried apple butter, love your pictures!
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[...] you really need another reason to make the Slow Cooker Apple Butter? If you simply can’t wait, store bought apple butter (check your jams & jellies [...]
Looks so yummy!
We used to have apply butter on toast nearly every day as a kid. Haven’t had it in years. Thanks for bringing back some great memories!
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I am afraid my husband is somewhat allergic to butter. But my kids are loving it. It is such a waste he wouldn’t understand what butters can do.
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I love this. Might as well check it out myself!
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Thanks for the idea! I was giving what I thought were going to be a few bags of apples and ended up with 8 boxes. Seriously? What in the world am I going to do with eight boxes of apples. So I am making a double batch of this tonight to cook overnight. I could definitely use some other apple ideas, hint, hint….
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I meant given…but I will be giving I’m sure too.
Trish @ Finances With Funk recently posted..Del Monte Fruit Naturals
I’m working on some new apple recipes. The apple butter is heavenly on its own, but if you have some extra to use up you must try the cupcakes! http://bakinontheside.com/2010/11/22/apple-butter-cupcakes-cinnamon-cream-cheese-frosting/
Thanks Sarah. I am teaching a class this weekend I may try those!
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Can you use apple sauce?
I use more apple juice in cooking than I do apple sauce and I have a really nice juicer so I might try to do both this weekend while I can my apple butter. And I have an old fashioned squeezo that will make applesauce super easy, it’s just finding the time to do it!
I run two businesses and have 4 kids! But I think I make the time this weekend to do both so I can use as many as I can.
How do you do your applesauce?
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[...] favorite things to make in the slow cooker? Apple butter – you can find my favorite recipe here. What’s your favorite crock pot [...]
doesn’t the alcohol in the cider mess things up?
Just wanted to say that I made this last night, and it was awesome, sooooo easy
Thanks for the recipe!
Making my 2nd batch of Apple Butter 1st one was amazing so This time I Tripled the recipe so I have some to can and give as Christmas Gifts!!
If planning to store your apple butter or use as a gift, you may wish to can it in a boiling water bath. A step by step tutorial on this process.
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[...] Credits: terrarium ornament Erin Ever After, pie pops Cake Pop LA, seashell ornament Completely Coastal, apple butter via Bakin’ on the Side [...]
[...] I MADE it. I’m pretty proud of them and think it’s a great gift for the Holidays! The recipe is easy and it’s actually fun to watch it actually [...]
I am SO excited for this recipe! I can not wait to make it, I am hooked on apple butter but it’s SO hard to find in the stores with out having HFCS in it. This seems so easy, thank you so much!
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I made 30 pints of this. Very dangerous. Gave it all away to family and friends for Christmas! Thanks!!
Alas I neglect my poor crock pot shamefully also. This sounds divine and I will have to try.
Once you have eaten this apple butter, you will never purchase store bought again, I have made this 4 or 5 times, I can not keep enough of it made
I’ve been making apple butter in my large crock pot for the last several years. But I don’t use all the ingredients with this recipe. I use granny smith apples, cut them up, skins and all, let them cook down in the crock. Add just cinnamon. No sugar. Use my Braun’s handheld blender to blend it all up in the crock, then turn it on low and let it cook down for a couple of days to the desired consistancy. I get more than 2 pints with this. Mostly we eat this like applesauce and don’t put it on bread/toast (we rarely make toast). It’s good on vanilla ice cream, too.
About how long is “until bubbly”? Should I stay and watch it for 5 minutes? Come back in 30 minutes?
I have been making apple butter this way for a few years. I also make pear butter this way, as we have a cousin with an abundance of pear trees. The only difference is that I use 1 cup white sugar, and the only spice is nutmeg. For my 6 qt slow cooker, I can put in 16 cups of pears, only about a cup of water or apple juice and the nutmeg and sugar. It makes about 7 1/2 pint jars. I process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
This looks so yummy! I grew up in Sacramento (now in New Jersey) and we went to Apple Hill every year. Miss that place!
I usually omit the Brown Sugar and add a bag of Soft Carmels..Makes it Carmel Apple Butter and it turns out SO GOOD!!
I am new at canning. At the end you did not include how to can the apple butter. To put in jars and how to preserve them and how long they will last in jars if using jars. Thanks
I grew up in Sacramento and my grandparents lived on Apple Hill so we were frequent visitors there. My grandma just passed away a few months ago so reading “Apple Hill” brought some tears to my eyes. I love that place and I love that lady!! Thanks for the recipe!! I will be trying this tomorrow! I love apple butter!
Hi my sisters and I are getting ready to make the slow cooker apple butter. I clicked on the link you have for doing the canning of it.. but it says its not aval. do you have link i could check out (as this is our 1st time doing any of this).
Thanks
Dawn