Description
This Crockpot Apple Butter recipe transforms a mix of sweet and tart apples into a rich, spiced spread that’s perfect for toast, biscuits, or desserts. Slow-cooked for hours and blended to smooth perfection, this homemade apple butter captures the comforting flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves with a touch of vanilla and lemon juice, offering a deliciously thick and spreadable treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Apples
- 5 lbs apples (use a mix of sweet and tart varieties), peeled, cored, and chopped
Sweeteners & Flavorings
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- Juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Prepare the Apples: Peel, core, and chop the apples into chunks. You should have about 10 cups of chopped apples ready for cooking.
- Combine Ingredients in Crockpot: Place the chopped apples into the crockpot, then add granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Stir well to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Cook on Low Heat: Cover the crockpot with a lid and cook on low heat for 8-10 hours. Stir occasionally during cooking. The apples will soften and release their juices, melding the spices and sugars together.
- Blend or Mash: After cooking, use an immersion blender to blend the mixture until smooth. For a chunkier texture, you can use a potato masher instead.
- Thicken the Apple Butter: Cook the apple butter uncovered on low heat for an additional 1-2 hours to thicken it to your desired consistency. Stir occasionally to prevent the mixture from sticking to the crockpot.
- Store or Can: Allow the apple butter to cool completely. Transfer it into clean, sterilized jars or containers.
- Refrigerate or Freeze: Store the apple butter in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze it for longer preservation. If canning, follow proper canning procedures to preserve it safely for several months.
- Enjoy: Spread your homemade crockpot apple butter on toast, biscuits, or use it as a flavorful topping or filling for various desserts to enjoy its rich and warm spiced flavor.
Notes
- Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for balanced flavor.
- Stir occasionally during cooking to prevent burning and ensure even cooking.
- An immersion blender provides the smoothest texture, but mashing keeps it chunky.
- Make sure jars are sterilized if you plan to can for long-term storage.
- Store apple butter in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freeze for extended shelf life.
- Adjust spices to taste, particularly cinnamon and nutmeg for preferred warmth.
