Classic Slow Cooker Apple Butter
Enjoy the rich, sweet taste of homemade apple butter with this easy slow cooker recipe. Perfect for spreading on toast, biscuits, or as a delicious accompaniment to pork dishes.
Equipment
- Slow cooker
- Food processor or immersion blender
- Airtight jars or containers
Ingredients
Main
- 4-5 pounds apples Any firm apple variety like Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Gala works well.
Instructions
Preparation
- Wash, peel, core, and slice the apples into roughly 1-inch pieces; you should have about 10-12 cups.
Cooking
- Place the apple slices in the slow cooker.
Simmering
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the apples are very soft.
Pureeing
- Carefully transfer the cooked apples to a food processor or use an immersion blender to puree until smooth.
Finishing
- Return the pureed apple mixture to the slow cooker and continue to cook on low, uncovered, for another 1-2 hours.
Storage
- Once cooled, transfer the apple butter to airtight jars or containers and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks, or freeze for longer storage.
Notes
For added flavor, consider adding a pinch of cinnamon or other warm spices during the last hour of cooking. If you prefer a chunkier apple butter, you can mash the apples with a potato masher instead of pureeing them.