Picture this: a crisp autumn morning, cinnamon and apples wafting through your kitchen, and a jar of velvety, homemade apple butter waiting to be spread on a warm, toasted biscuit. Sounds like a dream, right? Wake up and smell the apple butter because this dream can become your reality!
Forget about settling for those overpriced, lackluster jars of apple butter from the grocery store. We’re here to tell you a little secret: making your mouthwatering, slow cooker apple butter is much easier than you ever imagined.
With just a handful of simple ingredients and your trusty slow cooker, you can create a batch of apple butter that will make those store-bought varieties pale in comparison.
The Magic of Slow Cooking
One of the best things about making apple butter is in a slow cooker. Toss your ingredients into the pot, set the timer, and let the low, slow heat work its magic. As the apples cook down and caramelize, they release their natural sugars and develop a deep, rich flavor that intensifies over time.
The slow cooking process also allows the spices to meld together and infuse the apple butter with a warm, comforting aroma. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves are classic additions but feel free to experiment with spices like ginger or cardamom to create your unique blend.
Choosing the Right Apples
When making apple butter, not all apples are created equal. You’ll want to choose naturally sweet varieties that break down quickly when cooked. Some of the best apples for apple butter include:
- Fuji
- Gala
- Honeycrisp
- Golden Delicious
- McIntosh
While you can certainly use just one type of apple, combining a few varieties can add depth and complexity to your finished product. Feel free to mix and match to find your perfect combination.
Creative Ways to Use Apple Butter
Apple butter is a versatile spread used in various sweet and savory applications. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Spread it on toast, biscuits, or scones for a delicious breakfast treat
- Use it as a filling for cakes, cookies, or pastries
- Stir it into oatmeal or yogurt for a flavorful twist
- Brush it onto pork chops or chicken before grilling or roasting
- Mix it into barbecue sauce for a sweet and tangy kick
- The possibilities are endless, so don’t be afraid to get creative and experiment with new ways to incorporate apple butter into your favorite recipes.
Homemade Slow Cooker Apple Butter
Equipment
- Slow cooker
- Apple Peeler, Corer, Slicer
Ingredients
- 18 apples or enough to fill 6 qt slow cooker (use any variety you want)
- 1 1/2 tbsp vanilla
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the apples by peeling, coring, and slicing them.
- Place the sliced apples in the slow cooker and add the vanilla extract.
- Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 8 hours.
- After 8 hours, mash the softened apples using a potato masher or a large fork.
- Add the ground cinnamon, granulated sugar, and brown sugar to the mashed apples. Stir well to combine.
- Continue cooking the apple mixture on low for an additional 6 hours.
- Once the cooking time is complete, transfer the apple mixture to a blender or food processor.
- Blend the mixture until it reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency.
- Allow the apple butter to cool before transferring it to airtight containers or jars for storage.
Notes
Nutrition
Don’t Miss These:
Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.