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Crockpot Apple Butter Recipe

This crockpot apple butter recipe is a family favorite that we have been making for years! It’s super easy to create apple butter in a crockpot or instant pot.

Crockpot Apple Butter Recipe

Apple pie, apple juice, apple butter; just a few of the tasty treats that come with the change of seasons. As the weather cools, we like to go apple picking at a local apple orchard. We can get pounds and pounds of apples for a lot cheaper than at the grocery store.

Not to mention, fresh apples just off the tree have so much more flavour. Today, I have another use for all those delicious apples.

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What is apple butter?

Apple butter is essentially just apple sauce that has been cooked down for a long time. The main difference is that it is thicker and much more concentrated than traditional apple sauce.

The best part is that this flavorful spread is super easy to make! Check out my easy recipe for the best apple butter below!

We often make a large batch of apple butter for canning. So if you’re interested in canning it like we do, here’s what you’ll need!

Apple Harvest

Canning supplies:

This post contains affiliate links.

apple peel

How to make apple butter:

Ingredients:

  • 8 pounds apples – peeled, cored and sliced
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
Apple Core

Easy step by step directions!

Directions:

1. Place the apples in a crock pot with the lemon juice. In a medium bowl, combine sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Pour the mixture over the apples and mix well.

Apple Butter

2. Cook in slow cooker on low for about 10 hours, stirring occasionally, until the mixture has thickened and is dark brown.

Apple Butter

3. Uncover, stir in vanilla, and continue cooking uncovered on low for about 2 hours.

Apple Butter

4. Use an immersion blender to puree the apple butter until smooth.

5. Spoon the mixture into sterile jars, and process in a water bath canner for 30 minutes for half pints.

Alternatively, fresh apple butter can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to two weeks, or in freezer containers in the freezer for three months.

Apple Canning

The best apples for apple butter:

We use a mix of apples, including granny smith, honey crisp, and (insert apple that’s cheap at market here lol). The different types of apples all have their own flavours and textures, so each combination is unique.

Feel free to use your favourite apples or apple combination. Apples may be peeled or left with the skin on. Peeled apples tend to make a sweeter, lighter butter while unpeeled apples (pictured) make a darker spread that is not as sweet.

Apple Butter

Other ways to cook apple butter:

  • Using an easy instant pot apple butter recipe cuts down cooking to a fraction of the time. Depending on your Instant pot cooking time is about 30 minutes.
  • You could also try stovetop apple butter by simply cooking the apples in a large stock pot over low heat for 4-6 hours. Be sure to stir occasionally and check the heat of the stove.
  • Make electric pressure cooker apple butter and cook the apples using high pressure. This is another great option if you’re looking to speed up this recipe.
Apple Butter

What to serve with sweet apple butter:

  • Warm biscuits, fresh from the oven, are the perfect vehicle for this delicious homemade apple butter.
  • Spread on pancakes or waffles with a dollop of whipped cream.
  • Add a spoonful to the centres of apple muffins for a tasty surprise.
  • Use it as a topping for ice cream with a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Apple Butter

More tips and tricks:

  • For extra smooth apple butter, use a food processor to puree the cooked apples.
  • Particularly if using quite sweet apples, you may want to make a lower sugar or unsweetened apple butter. Adjust how much sugar you use, substitute maple syrup, or eliminate it all together. Shelf life may be affected by the change.
  • A jar of apple butter makes a delicious gift during the holiday season. Tie a few cinnamon sticks around the lid with twine, add a little tag, and you’re done!
Crockpot Apple Butter Recipe

Be sure to check out more of my favorite canning recipes!

Easy Canning Recipes:

What apple varieties do you like best when baking and cooking? Let me know in the comments!

Crockpot Apple Butter Recipe

If you loved this crockpot apple butter recipe, please give it a five star review and help me share it on Facebook or Pinterest so that other may enjoy it too.

Crockpot Apple Butter Recipe

Crockpot Apple Butter Recipe

Yield: 12
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 hours
Additional Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
Total Time: 12 hours 55 minutes

This crockpot apple butter recipe is a family favorite that we have been making for years! It's super easy to create apple butter in a crockpot or instant pot.

Ingredients

  • 8 pounds apples - peeled, cored and sliced
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 Tbsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Place the apples in a crock pot with the lemon juice. In a medium bowl, combine sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Pour the mixture over the apples and mix well.

2. Cook in slow cooker on low for about 10 hours, stirring occasionally, until the mixture has thickened and is dark brown.

3. Uncover, stir in vanilla, and continue cooking uncovered on low for about 2 hours.

4. Use an immersion blender to puree the apple butter until smooth.

5. Spoon the mixture into sterile jars, and process in a water bath canner for 30 minutes for half pints.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 284Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 56mgCarbohydrates: 74gFiber: 7gSugar: 63gProtein: 1g

All values are approximate and based on ingredients used by the recipe writer. Always calculate your own individual nutritional values for the most accurate calculation.

Did you make this recipe?

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about heather

Hello, I’m Heather!

I'm an active mom of twin boys who is always looking for opportunities to inspire creativity through fun crafts, do-it-yourself projects and delicious recipes. This blog has been an integral part of supporting my little family and I am so grateful to have you become a part of our journey! Let's create together... Read more...

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Turned out great very easy and delicious

Made this with apples that I picked yesterday. It is delicious. It made nine 1 cup jars for me. In your photos the apples aren’t peeled, but your directions say to peel them. I looked at other recipes and it seems most of them call for peeling, so that’s what I did. It is delicious on toast with peanut butter, and I am planning to try it inside grilled cheese and also with grilled sausages and pork chops. Thanks for a great recipe!

This is so easy and delicious. I tweaked it a bit. Little more apples, spices and I added 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar instead of lemon juice. I got 10 half pints.

My daughters want to learn how to can so I decided to make it fun and have a ‘Canning Party’ next month. We are going to make your apple butter for our first ever canning lesson. Can’t wait to see how it turns out. I’ll let you know how it turns out.

I am trying this today! Question: Do you not need to add any water to the slow cooker? Thank you!

Hello! I see that this recipe calls for lemon juice, but it doesn’t say when to add it. I would guess that you would add it in the same time as the vanilla. But would you please clarify? Thanks! I’m very excited to try this.

I’m having a hard time getting my apple butter to thicken up. I’m leaving it in the crockpot uncovered because I know crockpots can increase liquids because of condensation. I want to can it so I really want to keep it natural. Any suggestions?

I always put my apple butter in the oven in my large stainless steel bowl and set it to the lowest temp and leave it overnight! When you get up in the morning your house will smell wonderful and it will be nice and thick! then proceed to waterbath canning!

This recipe is amazing! I made mine in the instant pot then used an immersion blender. Cooked on low/medium on the stove for about 4 hours while it thickened up. This will be my go to recipe. Thank you!

Hi, I made this recipe 3 times now. First time it was perfect with Northern Spy apples from our yard. I since ran out of those apples and decided to make it for gifts. I used a combination of Granny Smith, gala and honey crisp. Both times with those apples it’s just not thick enough. I’m disappointed, as I feel it’s just not thick enough. Total cook time was little over 12 hours. Any suggestions?