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Make this easy crock pot apple butter with just a few ingredients! Use up any apples for this yummy recipe. You’ll never want to buy store-bought apple butter again once you taste how yummy homemade apple butter is & how easy it is to make! 

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Anyone have a recipe that they never thought they’d ever make? Like ever?

For me, it’s always been apple butter.

My only memories of apple butter were walking down the street in rural Ohio to a local church near our elementary school. We’d watch the church members stir the cauldrons (that’s what they looked like as a 3rd grader), eat a sample of the apple butter, and then walk back to school.

Fast forward almost 30 years, and here I am excited to share a much simpler recipe for easy crock pot apple butter. No copper cauldrons or stirring here. Just dump & stir occasionally.

This week we joined our local college alumni association for apple picking in Toledo. It’s an event we’ve regularly attended over the past 4 years. Not only does it get us out of the house on a Monday night, but we always look forward to enjoying all the apple recipes we can handle.

And the cider donuts & fresh apple cider are hard to pass up.

I look forward to homemade apple pie. For Jordan, he wants all the apple butter I can make.

Luckily, we have plenty of apples to make both– and lots of it!

Easy Crock Pot Apple Butter Recipe

If you see apples on sale this week at the grocery store, or if you happen upon an apple orchard #bucketlist, you need to grab some apples and make this apple butter recipe! It’s perfect for English muffins in the morning or a thick piece of toast.

Last year, I found this awesome apple butter recipe. It’s so tasty, and I couldn’t help but make more than the recipe originally called for and add a bit more sweetness.

 

Slow Cooker Apple Butter Ingredients:

This simple recipe calls for only six ingredients and is ideal for a six-quart slow cooker.

• 6 lbs Apples, Approx 13-14 apples
• 2.5 cups Splenda
• 5 teaspoon Cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon Cloves, ground
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Nutmeg, ground

 

Tools Needed for Crock Pot Apple Butter:

Before you make your apple butter, I want to make it as easy as possible for you. Here is what you need to make to this recipe even simpler:

• 6 Quart Slow Cooker (you’ll fill it up with apples, but it cooks down so much)
• Immersion Blender (I skipped this for a while, but fell in love with the convenience this year! Worth every single penny)
• Funnel (no mess!)
• Wide Mouth Jars &  Storage Lids

 

 

How to Make Homemade Apple Butter

Prep, pour, and stir! Hands off for at least 8-10 hours overnight.

Prep Your Apples

In a large colander, wash your apples before peeling.  Peel the skin off your apples and cut into large pieces. Once each apple is peeled and cut, toss them into your Crock-Pot.

Mix Your Spices

In a small bowl, mix your Splenda, cinnamon, ground cloves, salt, and nutmeg. Pour this mixture over your apple slices.

Start the Slow Cooker

Cook your apple butter on high for one hour. Stir. 

Then, cook on low for approximately 12 hours, or until completely cooked down. I prefer to let my apples cook overnight so that before work in the morning, I can move ahead to the next step. But if the evenings are better for you, feel free to do the slow cooking process step during the day!

Last Steps After Slow Cooking

Once the apple butter is finished cooking, you’ll use a hand blender to smooth the lumps while it’s inside the slow cooker. It’s a true one pot recipe.

To make storage quick, use a wide mouth funnel to spoon the butter into canning jars. I love the wide mouth ones because they are easy to fill and leave practically zero mess. In this latest batch of apple butter, I actually had 2 slow cookers going and was able to make several pints that we kept and gave away. [Mom Hack: Use these caps to avoid canning!]

Everyone wins. 🙂

Apple Butter Pro Tips:

Plan to Fill Up Your Slow Cooker: If you’re going to make apple butter, go ahead and make a few pints worth. You’ll go through the apple butter way quicker than you plan. Other than a few extra teaspoons of spice, it’s the same cooking process whether you cook 3 pounds or 6. In my recipe, I filled up my 6-quart slow cooker with chunks of apples.  [It was just over 6 pounds of apples]

Buy Small Glass Mason Jars for Gifting: Homemade Apple Butter is a great gift idea! Fill your small jars, seal them with a lid, and wrap a piece of ribbon around the lid. Cute, easy, and wallet-friendly gifting!

Easy Apple Butter Recipe FAQs:

Over the past few years, we’ve received a few questions on how to make crock pot apple butter…

Can I use any type of apples for making apple butter in the slow cooker?

Absolutely! While some apple varieties are traditionally recommended for apple butter due to their sweetness and texture, feel free to experiment with different types, including Red Delicious, Gala apples, and Granny Smith apples. A mix of sweet and tart apples often gives a more complex flavor profile to your apple butter.

How long does it take to make apple butter in the slow cooker?

The slow cooker method is wonderfully hands-off. On average, cooking apple butter on low heat for about 10-12 hours is recommended. This allows the apples to break down and caramelize slowly, resulting in a rich and flavorful apple butter.

Can I reduce the sugar content in the recipe? 

Yes, you can adjust the sugar and/or Splenda to suit your taste preferences. Keep in mind that sugar not only sweetens but also aids in the preservation and thickening of the apple butter. You might want to try reducing it gradually and taste-testing until you find the perfect balance.

Can I use brown sugar in this recipe?

We’ve never tested substituting brown sugar for the sugar. I would imagine it would make this recipe even more flavorful!

Do I need to peel the apples before making apple butter?

Peeling the apples is generally recommended for a smoother apple butter. However, if you enjoy a chunkier texture or prefer to save time, leaving the peels on is perfectly fine. Just ensure to use a blender or immersion blender after cooking to achieve your desired consistency.

Can I freeze or can the apple butter for long-term storage?

Absolutely! Once your apple butter is cooked and has reached the desired thickness, you can either freeze it in airtight containers for up to six months or use proper canning techniques for a longer shelf life. Make sure to follow safe canning practices to keep your apple butter fresh for an extended period.

 

Here is to trying new recipes that you never thought you’d ever make before! Sometimes the oldies are easier than you think.

 

 

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