This Slow Cooker Apple Butter is the ultimate cozy treat — sweet, spiced, and perfectly smooth. Whether you’re spreading it on toast, stirring it into oatmeal, or using it as a gift, this crockpot apple butter is amazing and will have everyone asking for more.
Note: that links to products you find in this post are Amazon affiliate links which means I do make a small amount of money when you click and make purchases.
Apple butter is especially popular in the fall when apples are at their peak, and it’s a classic for autumn gatherings and holiday breakfasts. Its rich, spiced flavor makes it perfect for Thanksgiving morning or as a homemade gift during the holidays.
For more apple recipes check out my apple cider doughnuts, apple crumble pie, cranberry applesauce and mini air fryer apple hand pies.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll love this recipe because it’s ...
- Easy to make: The slow cooker does most of the work with minimal hands-on time.
- Simple ingredients: Uses pantry staples and fresh apples — nothing fancy required.
- Cozy aroma: Fills your home with the warm scent of cinnamon and cloves while it cooks.
- Versatile: Delicious on toast, oatmeal, pancakes, or even as a glaze for meats.
- Gift-worthy: Perfect for canning or packaging as homemade holiday gifts.
- Naturally rich flavor: Long, slow cooking develops a deep, caramelized sweetness.
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Ingredients
One of the best parts of this recipe is the clean, simple ingredients that you likely have at home already.
- Chopped apples (base of the apple butter)
- Brown sugar (adds sweetness and depth)
- White sugar (balances the brown sugar and enhances flavor)
- Ground cinnamon (classic warm spice)
- Salt (enhances overall flavor)
- Ground cloves (adds a subtle spicy note)
- Vanilla extract (finishes the flavor with warmth and aroma)
See recipe card for quantities.
Substitutions
- Sugar-free Apple Butter: Use a sugar substitute suitable for cooking in place of brown and white sugar.
- Spicy Apple Butter: Add a pinch of ground ginger or nutmeg for a slightly different warm spice profile.
Variations
- Extra thick: Simmer the puree longer on the stovetop to intensify the flavor and thickness.
- Instant Pot: Make this in your Instant Pot for a quicker version that still delivers full flavor.
- Gift-ready: Add a cinnamon stick to the jar for a festive presentation.
How to Make Slow Cooker Apple Butter
- Chop the apples — peels stay on for extra fiber and flavor.
2. Mix the brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon, salt, and cloves in a bowl.
3. Place the apples in your slow cooker and top with the sugar-spice mixture. Cook for 10 hours.
4. Puree the apples - you can use an immersion blender or transfer to a food processor or blender.
Stir in vanilla extract and continue cooking uncovered for 2 more hours until thickened. The longer you cook, the thicker and darker the apple butter will get as the water cooks off and the sugars stay behind to caramelize.
Serving Ideas for Crockpot Apple Butter
Spread on toast, swirl into oatmeal, stir into yogurt, or serve alongside pancakes or waffles. It’s also amazing as a glaze for pork or chicken.
Expert Tips and FAQS
- Don’t skip the pureeing step — it gives the apple butter its signature smooth texture.
- The longer it cooks, the darker and richer the flavor becomes.
- If you want to make it on the stovetop, simmer the puree over low heat for 30–60 minutes until thickened.
Instant Pot Apple Butter
To make this recipe in the Instant Pot Apple Butter, add the apples and sugar-spice mixture to the pot, seal, and cook on high pressure for a short time. After a natural release, puree the mixture with an immersion blender and use the sauté function to thicken the apple butter to your liking.
Stovetop Apple Butter
To make apple butter on the stovetop, combine the chopped apples and sugar-spice mixture in a large pot and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the apples are very soft. Use an immersion blender to puree the mixture, then continue cooking uncovered until thickened to your desired consistency.
Storage Tips
Store apple butter in airtight containers or sterilized jars in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. For longer storage, freeze in small portions for up to 6 months, or use a water bath canning method for shelf-stable jars that last up to a year.
Nope! The peels soften during cooking and blend right in when you puree the mixture. Leaving them on adds flavor, color, and extra nutrients.
I like to use a mix of apples. For this recipe I used Golden Delicious, Gala and Honeycrisp apples.
It should be thick enough to hold its shape on a spoon but still spreadable. If it slides off too quickly, let it cook longer until it reaches the right consistency.
Stored in airtight containers in the fridge, it will last about 3 weeks. It also freezes beautifully for up to 6 months.
More Recipes
Did you try this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the recipe card right below! You can also write a review in the comment section further down the page I always appreciate your feedback. And don’t forget to tag me @freshcoasteats in your photos on social media, I'd love to see your results!
Slow Cooker Apple Butter
Equipment
- 1 Knife
- 1 Slow Cooker
- immersion blender
Ingredients
- 6 lbs apples mixed variety
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker by coating it lightly with cooking spray.
- Wash and chop the apples into chunks, leaving the peels on.
- In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon, salt, and cloves.
- Place the chopped apples into the slow cooker.
- Sprinkle the sugar and spice mixture evenly over the apples and stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on Low for 10 hours, stirring occasionally.
- After 10 hours, use an immersion blender directly in the slow cooker to puree the mixture until smooth.
- Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Continue cooking uncovered on Low for an additional 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until thickened to desired consistency.
- Cool slightly, then transfer to sterilized jars or airtight containers for storage.
Notes
Recipe Notes
- Use a mix of apple varieties (sweet and tart) for the best flavor.
- Leaving the peels on adds color, texture, and nutrients — they blend in smoothly after pureeing.
- Cooking uncovered at the end helps the apple butter thicken and intensify in flavor.
- The longer it cooks, the darker and richer the apple butter becomes.
- If you don’t have an immersion blender, carefully transfer the mixture in batches to a regular blender to puree.
- Taste and adjust spices at the end of cooking if you prefer more cinnamon or cloves.
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