Description
This Slow Cooker Apple Butter recipe is a simple and delicious way to make a smooth, spiced apple spread using your slow cooker. With just a few ingredients—apples, cinnamon, and a touch of nutmeg—this homemade apple butter is perfect for spreading on toast, stirring into oatmeal, or adding to baked goods. The slow cooking process brings out the natural sweetness and deep flavors of the apples without any added sugars.
Ingredients
Scale
Apples
- 6-8 apples, washed, cored, and chopped (enough to fill your slow cooker)
Spices
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Apples: Wash, core, and chop the apples into pieces. Add them into the slow cooker.
- Add Spices: Sprinkle the cinnamon and optional nutmeg over the apples, evenly distributing the spices.
- Initial Cooking: Cook on high for 2 hours until the apples are soft and starting to break down.
- Blend Apples: Carefully scoop the hot apples into a blender in batches and blend until smooth. Ensure to vent the lid slightly to allow steam to escape and avoid pressure buildup.
- Continue Cooking: Return the blended apples to the slow cooker and cook on low for an additional 4-6 hours, stirring occasionally, until the apple butter thickens to your preferred consistency.
- Cool and Store: Allow the apple butter to cool either in the slow cooker or transfer it to a container to cool. Refrigerate in a sealed container where it will thicken further and keeps up to 3 weeks.
Notes
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith or a mix of sweet apples for balanced flavor.
- Be careful when blending hot apples to avoid steam burns.
- Apple butter will thicken more as it cools, so do not overcook to a very thick consistency beforehand.
- Store apple butter in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 60
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 1mg
- Fat: 0.1g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 0.3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
