Apple season is in full swing, so it’s the perfect time for this apple butter recipe for the crock pot! It’s an easy and delicious apple butter recipe that freezes well and has a lot of versatile uses you might not have considered.
Making Slow Cooker Apple Butter
This slow cooker apple butter makes a pretty big batch, so you’ll have plenty to share with friends and family. Or keep it all for yourself because there are several ways you can use your crockpot apple butter.
Uses for Apple Butter
- Add to barbecue sauce for ribs or chicken wings or to ham glaze for the holidays
- Stir it into hot oatmeal for breakfast
- Can use it to replace oil in baking recipes
- Spread on warm toast or muffins for breakfast or a snack
- Use as a jelly replacement in PB&J or as a replacement for mayo on a ham & cheddar sandwich
- Freeze apple butter in ice cube trays and toss into your smoothie
If you enjoy this recipe you will find a printable version at the end of the post that you can add to your recipe box for next apple harvest season!
There are affiliate links in this post. That means if you buy something from that link, I will earn a small commission, but it won’t cost you anything additional.
Ingredients needed to make crockpot apple butter
- 6 pounds apples
- 1 1/2 cup packed brown sugar (1 cup if you prefer it less sweet)
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
I used my iStir Automatic Stirring CrockPot for this recipe.
1. Peel and chop apples and place them in the slow cooker.
2. Pour honey over the apples and toss to coat.
3. Combine the spices and brown sugar and toss with apples and honey in slow cooker.
4. Cook on low 8-10 hours (overnight works great).
5. Stir in the vanilla extract cook an additional 2 hours with the lid OFF.
6. If you prefer your apple butter thick, keep cooking to reduce the liquid a bit.
7. Turn off the slow cooker and let the apples cool for a few hours. Ladle the cooked apple mixture into the bowl of a food processor (an immersion blender or regular blender works too but won’t make the mixture as smooth as a food processor will) and process for 2-3 minutes or until very smooth.
8. Pour into jars, add lids and store in the refrigerator for up to two week. Jars can also be frozen, just be sure to leave enough head space in the jar to allow for expansion.
This is not a canning recipe and jars should be stored in the refrigerator.
More recipes you might enjoy
- Use some of your crock pot apple butter to make apple butter popcorn or apple butter streusel muffins!
- Not into apple? Crock pot pumpkin butter is another delicious seasonal option.
- If you still have more apples left to use up, try making cake mix apple cobbler, apple cranberry crisp, or quick cranberry apple cobbler. Yum!
Apple Butter Recipe for the Crock Pot
IMPORTANT - There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Rate ItIngredients
- 6 pounds apples
- 1 ½ cup packed brown sugar 1 cup if you prefer it less sweet
- ½ cup honey
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ginger
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Before You Begin
Instructions
- Peel and chop apples and place them in the slow cooker.
- Pour honey over the apples and toss to coat.
- Combine the spices and brown sugar and toss with apples and honey in slow cooker.
- Cook on low 8-10 hours (overnight works great).
- Stir in the vanilla extract cook an additional 2 hours with the lid OFF.
- If you prefer your apple butter thick, keep cooking to reduce the liquid a bit.
- Turn off the slow cooker and let the apples cool for a few hours. Ladle the cooked apple mixture into the bowl of a food processor (an immersion blender or regular blender works too but won't make the mixture as smooth as a food processor will) and process for 2-3 minutes or until very smooth.
- Pour into jars, add lids and store in the refrigerator for up to two week. Jars can also be frozen, just be sure to leave enough head space in the jar to allow for expansion.
Amanda Davis
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Melissa Allen says
Can I omit the ginger?
Amanda Davis says
Yes
Liz Davis says
Do you recommend the iStir Automatic Stirring CrockPot?
Amanda Formaro says
I would, but I don’t think Crockpot sells it anymore. The stirring function is great, but not necessary.
Vicki Roggenbauer says
I know you said this wasn’t a canning recipe but couldn’t I fill small canning jars with the hot apple butter and hot water bath them?
Amanda Formaro says
i can’t personally recommend that simply because I’m not very familiar with canning. You can check with your local college extension and they may be able to tell you :)
Cheryl Crisona says
My sister is allergic to most honey and I would like to make some of this to share with her. Any ideas on a substitute for the honey?
Amanda Formaro says
You should be able to substitute 3/4 cup of sugar for the 1/2 cup honey. Or increase the brown sugar by 3/4 cup :)
Toni says
How many cups chopped is this?
Amanda Formaro says
A pound of apples will yield approximately 3 cups, so about 18 cups.