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This Easy Crockpot Apple Butter is so simple and cooks overnight in your slow cooker! It’s creamy and sweet and a healthier alternative to jams and jellies.

Spread apple butter on toast, bagels, or homemade biscuits. It can also be used in place of oil in recipes and is especially delicious in my Apple Bundt Cake.

A jar filled with crockpot apple butter.
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What is Apple Butter Used For?

Apple Butter is basically a condensed applesauce that is thick and spreadable and so delicious. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

  • As a spread – Rolls, biscuits, English muffins, bagels, toast, or crackers.
  • As a topping – Microwave it for a few seconds and use as a syrup for pancakes, waffles, or even ice cream.
  • As a gift – Since it can be stored for a while in the fridge, it also makes a great holiday gift. Fill a half-pint jar, tie a ribbon around the lid and gift to friends, neighbors, co-workers and teachers.

Crockpot Apple Butter Ingredients

  • Apples – You’ll need approximately 5 pounds of apples (10-12 medium size). Core them and roughly chop them; you can leave the skins off if you want, and they will just melt into the butter.
  • Sugar – Made with molasses, brown sugar adds warmth to the sweetness. You’ll also add some white sugar to heighten the sweet factor. Depending on the type of apples you use, you may want to ere on the lighter side with the sugar at first.
  • Spices – Ground cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
  • Salt – Just a pinch. Salt helps to balance the sweetness and heighten the overall flavor of the butter.
  • Vanilla extract – Also for flavor balance.

How To Make Apple Butter in the Crockpot

See the recipe card below for full, detailed instructions

  1. Start by chopping 5 pounds of apples and add them to the slow cooker.
  2. Combine sugars, spices, salt, and vanilla in a bowl and mix that with the apples.
  3. Cover and cook on LOW for 10 hours.
  4. Puree the apple mixture with an immersion blender, or transfer to a regular blender and blend until smooth.
Crocpot apple butter spread onto an english muffin.

FAQs

What are the best apples to use?

The best apples to use for this recipe are Red Delicious, Fuji, McIntosh, or Winesap as they are softer apples. I recommend using a mix of sweet and tart apples for a well-rounded flavor, but you can use any red apples you can find. Some apples will be sweeter than others, so you may need to adjust the amount of added sugar.

Although they are not a favorite, you can also use Granny Smith for a more tart flavor or yellow delicious for a more mild sweetness.

Do you have to peel the apples?

The best part about this recipe? No peeling required! The skins will break down as they cook and they will just melt into the butter. Leaving the peels on not only makes the process much easier, the skin is the most nutritious part of the apple, so keeping it on is a win-win.

How much does this recipe make?

This batch will fill about four cups which can be divided into 4 half-pint jars.

How do you know when it’s finished cooking?

To test for doneness, draw a line through it; it should hold the space without it filling back in quickly. It will also hold its shape on a spoon.

Apple butter spread onto an english muffin.

Storage

Cool completely and store in mason jars or another airtight container. This recipe will fill 4 half-pint jars, or 2 pint-size jars, or a one-quart jar.

  • Refrigerate: Up to 2-3 weeks.
  • Freeze: Up to a year. Make sure to leave at least 1-2 inches at the top for expansion.
  • Canning: For longer-term storage, canning is a good option. Use sterilized jars and follow proper canning guidelines to ensure the butter is safely preserved. Once canned and sealed properly, it can last for up to a year in a cool, dark place.
  • Label and Date: Regardless of your storage method, always label and date your containers so you know when it was made.
  • Check for Signs of Spoilage: Before using, always check for signs of spoilage like mold, off smells, or changes in texture.

Expert Tips

  • Cook Low and Slow: Only use the low setting on your slow cooker for this recipe – high heat will burn the sugars. Cooking the apples on low heat for an extended period is key to achieving a deep, caramelized flavor.
  • Let it sit: Let your butter process in the fridge for a day or so before eating. It can have quite a sharp tang that will mellow with age.
  • Stir occasionally: Lift the lid and check about halfway through. If you notice the apples sticking to the bottom of the crock pot, give the mixture a stir occasionally to keep from sticking.
  • Taste and Adjust: Before canning or storing, give it a taste. You can adjust the sweetness or spices at this point.
A jar of crockpot apple butter | Apple butter recipe

More Apple Recipes

Recipe

Easy Homemade Apple Butter

4.71 from 34 votes
This Easy Crockpot Apple Butter is so simple and cooks overnight in your crockpot! It’s creamy and sweet and a healthier alternative to jams and jellies.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 hours
Total Time 10 hours 10 minutes
Servings 32 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 10 – 12 Medium Apples approximately 5 pounds, cored and chopped. (Leave the skins on the apples)
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup of granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4  teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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Instructions
 

  • Add chopped apples to a crockpot.
  • In a medium size bowl combine sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, ground cloves, salt, ground nutmeg, vanilla extract.
  • Pour the sugar mixture over the chopped apples in the crockpot and stir until well coated.
  • Cover with lid and cook on low for 10 hours.
  • Puree the apple mixture with an immersion blender or a in counter-top blender until smooth. 
  • Once the apple butter is smooth and cool, store in mason jars or an air tight jar. Store in refrigerator for up to one month or freezer for up to one year.
  • Serve chilled or at room temperature on rolls, biscuits, engligh muffins, toast or crackers!

Notes

Yields approximately 4 cups.
Cool completely and store in mason jars or another airtight container. This recipe will fill 4 half-pint jars, or 2 pint-size jars, or a one-quart jar.
Refrigerate for up to a month, or freeze for up to a year. When freezing, make sure to leave at least 1-2 inches at the top for expansion.
For canning, seal tightly and process in a water bath. Follow the instructions on the mason jar packaging.
Keyword crockpot apple butter, slow cooker apple butter

Nutrition

Serving: 2tablespoonsCalories: 98kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 21mgPotassium: 141mgFiber: 3gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 69IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 14mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional Disclaimer Kristin Maxwell of “Yellow Bliss Road” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. For accurate calorie counts and other nutritional values, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary depending on which brands were used.

Kristin Maxwell

Kristin Maxwell is the creator and main recipe developer, writer, and photographer of Yellow Bliss Road. A self-taught cook and self-appointed foodie, she specializes in easy, flavorful and approachable recipes for any home cook.

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4.71 from 34 votes (24 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Julie Leonard says:

    What juices everyone talking about I’m ready to take a blender to mine and was I supposed to drink strain it through a strainer first?

  2. Amy says:

    This recipe turned out perfectly! Just enough spice for me but not too much for my husband. And trust me on this, dip your sweet potato fries or hash browns in this! Yum!

    1. Kristin says:

      Nice! Love the feedback Amy. Thanks for stopping by.

  3. Lenora says:

    This is the best i have made. . Its thick and very flavorful. I did have some skin from the apple. But i dont care. It is delicious. Thanks for sharing

    1. Kristin says:

      You are so welcome Lenora! Love the feedback, thanks for stopping by.

  4. Barbara Gilmartin says:

    My husband liked this recipe the best of the apple butters I’ve made. It’s less sweet and the hint of cloves gives it that something extra.

    1. Kristin says:

      That’s awesome Barbara! Love the feedback, thanks for stopping by.
      K.

  5. Lenora Perry says:

    This this pretty thick? I made some usingdifferent recipe and it was good but thin

    1. Kristin Maxwell says:

      Hi Lenora, it’s fairly thick, as you can see in the photos. Definitely not thin and runny. It’s delicious!

  6. Pat Brock says:

    Has anyone canned this recipe? If so, do you just put into jars while hot so it seals or some other way?

  7. Stephanie Sisk says:

    This is an awesome recipe. The hubby loved it. I was curious if I could replace the apples with peaches and still get the same great results?

    1. Kristin Maxwell says:

      Yes I think it would work well. I haven’t tried it personally though, so I can’t testify to the exact results. If you try it, I’d love to hear how it turns out.

  8. Joann says:

    I have made this several times. Gets over big n my family. I am wondering if I Can use the juice that’s left in my crockpot. Seems a shame to waste it.

    1. Amber says:

      I was going to ask the same question! I wonder if you could add fruit pectin and make apple jelly?

  9. Natalie says:

    Hi Kristin,
    I’m hoping to make an apple butter barbecue sauce. Every recipe I see asks for apple butter as an ingredient! Is this what I would use? I don’t want to use store bought apple butter.
    Thank you!

    1. Kristin Maxwell says:

      Yes you could use this. Sounds delicious!

  10. Carol says:

    The apple butter is in my crockpot as we speak. In the past, I have gone through the canning process but will skip that step this time around. That being said, do you sterilize the jars and lids in addition to cleaning them with hot, soapy water? Also, if you freeze the apple butter, any particular container? I’m excited about this recipe because the apples did not have to be peeled! Thanks!

  11. Danielle says:

    Can this be canned for shelf stability?

    1. Kristin Maxwell says:

      Sure, just follow the instructions for canning on your jar packaging.

  12. Nancy Anderson says:

    This is the second time that I am making this delicious apple butter. I was looking for a recipe where I didn’t have to peel the apples and this one is a winner! Thanks so much! My house smells so yummy!

    1. Kristin says:

      You are so welcome Nancy! Thanks for the awesome feedback.

  13. Stephanie S says:

    Doubled this recipe and made it last night to give it to friends and family for our Trick or Treat Halloween surprise. The house smelled incredible while cooking and the rave reviews are already coming in. I will be making this a lot- so happy to have a recipe that doesn’t include peeling the apples! I love all your recipes and will continue to head to your site first when I’m looking for something to try.

    1. Kristin says:

      That’s so awesome Stephanie! Thanks for stopping by.

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