This homemade apple butter recipe is easy to make in the slow cooker using just a few simple ingredients. Spread it over your favorite muffins, pancakes, and more!

An overhead view of apple butter being spooned out of a glass jar.

If you have an abundance of apples on hand, this slow cooker apple butter recipe is a perfect way to use them! Just like pumpkin butter, it’s thick enough to spread onto a piece of toast but can be used so many different ways.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

  • Only made with a few ingredients. All you need are some apples, sugar, spices, and salt. That’s it!
  • Set it and forget it. Just toss everything into your slow cooker and let it do most of the work.
  • Makes a large batch. This recipe makes about 5 cups of apple butter. You can freeze some for later or gift a few jars to loved ones.
  • Incredibly versatile. Stir some apple butter into your yogurt, swirl it into cheesecake, spread it over a slice of apple bread, or eat it with a spoon!
An overhead view of the ingredients needed for slow cooker apple butter.

Recipe Ingredients

  • Apples: I prefer to use a combination of different apples for this recipe. Some great options are Granny Smith, Gala, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Fuji apples.
  • Sugar: There’s only 1 ½ cups of sugar in this recipe, but I can assure you that it’s more than enough to sweeten this apple butter. I prefer to use a combination of granulated sugar and brown sugar as well.
  • Cinnamon and nutmeg: Makes this apple butter taste even more like fall! Feel free to add more, if you prefer.
  • Salt: Just a pinch of salt enhances the apple flavor and balances out the sweetness. 
An overhead view of sliced apples in a Crockpot.
An overhead view of a sugar and spice mixture in a glass mixing bowl with a whisk.

How To Make Apple Butter

  1. Peel, core, and slice the apples before adding them to your slow cooker. If you have an apple slicer, it will make this process a lot quicker!
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugars and spices.
An overhead view of spiced apples in a Crockpot.
An overhead view of chunky apple butter in a Crockpot.
  1. Pour the sugar mixture over the apples and stir to coat. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just try to coat the apples the best you can.
  2. Cook on low for 10 hours. After 10 hours, remove the lid and mash any remaining chunks with a potato masher.
An overhead view of smooth apple butter in a Crockpot.
Three glass jars of apple butter, with cinnamon sticks and spices on the counter nearby.
  1. Put the lid back on the slow cooker and cook for an additional 2 hours. Then, use an immersion blender (or a blender that’s vented) to blend the apple butter until it’s smooth.
  2. Transfer to heat-proof containers and cool completely before refrigerating.
A jar of apple butter on a cutting board, with apples and spices surrounding it.

Ways to Use Apple Butter

There are so many sweet and savory uses for apple butter! Here are a few of my favorite ways to use it:

A side view of apple butter being spooned out of a glass jar.

Cooking Tips

  • Make sure to spray your slow cooker well with nonstick cooking spray before adding the apples. You may use a slow cooker liner instead, but do NOT use an immersion blender if you do!
  • I think this apple butter is perfectly spiced as written, but you’re welcome to use extra cinnamon and nutmeg. You can also add other fall spices, like cloves or allspice, if desired.
  • For an even thicker apple butter, crack the lid and cook for a little while longer after the initial 12 hours have passed.
  • You can store any leftover apple butter in the fridge for up to two weeks. If you need to store it longer, it will also freeze well for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, just place it in the fridge to thaw overnight.
A jar of apple butter with a spoon being dipped into it.

Apple Butter Recipe

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 12 hours
Total Time: 12 hours 30 minutes
This homemade apple butter recipe is easy to make in the slow cooker using just a few simple ingredients. Spread it over your favorite muffins, pancakes, and more!
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Ingredients

Servings: 5 cups
  • 5 pounds apples
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar (200 grams)
  • ½ cup granulated sugar (100 grams)
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions
 

  • Prepare your slow cooker by spraying it well with non stick cooking spray.
  • Peel, core, and slice all of the apples and place them in the slow cooker.
  • In a separate bowl, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Pour the mixture over the apples and stir well, making sure to coat all of the apples.
  • Set the slow cooker on low and cook for 10 hours. After the 10 hours, mash any chunks of apple that remain (I like to use a potato masher for this step). Allow to cook for an additional 2 hours.
  • Remove the lid and use an immersion blender to blend the apple butter until it's smooth. If you don't have an immersion blender, you can also blend it in a blender that's vented. If you prefer, you can let the apple butter cook a little longer with the lid slightly ajar to let it thicken up some more.
  • Once the apple butter is finished, transfer to containers and allow to cool completely, then refrigerate.

Notes

Apples: The five pounds of apples is measured before peeling, coring, and slicing. I prefer to use a mix of apples in this recipe, some great options are Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, and Granny Smith apples.
Storage instructions: Apple butter will keep for about two weeks in the fridge.
Freezing Instructions: Apple butter will freeze well for up to 3 months, thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Cuisine: American
Course: Dessert
Author: Danielle Rye
Did you make this recipe?Mention @livewellbakeoften on Instagram or tag #livewellbakeoften.

Adapted from Brown Eyed Baker

More Recipes Using Apples!

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Apple Crisp Recipe

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