Description
A rich and flavorful Slow Cooker Cinnamon Apple Butter recipe that transforms fresh apples into a smooth, spiced, and naturally sweet spread perfect for toast, baking, or adding to your favorite dishes. Made easy with a slow cooker, this recipe infuses warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves for a cozy autumn treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits
- 5–6 lb apples (peeled, cored, and sliced)
Sweeteners
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½–1 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
Spices
- 1–1½ tbsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- Pinch of salt
Optional
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (added at end)
Instructions
- Prepare apples: Peel, core, and slice the apples, then place them into a 5–6 quart slow cooker.
- Mix spices: In a separate bowl, combine brown sugar, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and a pinch of salt to create the spice mixture.
- Combine apples and spices: Toss the spice mixture evenly with the sliced apples in the slow cooker to coat all pieces thoroughly.
- Slow cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 5 hours, stirring occasionally, until the apples are very soft and their color has darkened.
- Add vanilla and thicken: Stir in vanilla extract if using, then uncover and continue cooking on low for another 2 hours to allow the mixture to thicken further.
- Puree the mixture: Use an immersion blender directly in the slow cooker or transfer the mixture to a blender to puree the apple butter until smooth and creamy.
- Adjust consistency: If the apple butter is still too loose, cook uncovered on high for an additional 30 to 60 minutes until it reaches a spreadable consistency.
- Cool and store: Allow the apple butter to cool slightly before spooning it into jars or airtight containers for storage.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of granulated sugar according to the sweetness of your apples and personal preference.
- Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for a more complex flavor.
- If you want a chunkier texture, pulse the mixture with a blender instead of pureeing completely smooth.
- Store apple butter in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze for longer storage.
- Make sure to stir the apple butter occasionally during cooking to prevent burning on the edges.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 hours (low) plus 2 additional hours plus up to 1 hour additional thickening
- Category: Condiment, Spread
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 25mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: apple butter, slow cooker apple butter, cinnamon apple spread, spiced apple butter, fall recipes, homemade apple butter
