Crock Pot Apple Butter {Just 7 Simple Ingredients}

Learn how to make a small-batch crock pot apple butter. This warmly-spiced apple jam captures all of the flavors of fall; cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. It is great on biscuits and scones, stirred into a bowl of warm oatmeal, served with a cheese board, or packaged as a gift. Despite the name, crock pot apple butter is dairy-free.

An image of jars of apple sauce on a table with apples, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, and a red tea towel.

While most people are going crazy over pumpkin-spice everything, I’m just not a super fan. Apples are my favorite fall flavor. Apple cider, Apple pie, apple crisp, and a hot toddy to name a few but it’s this small-batch Apple Butter that’s my absolute favorite.


What is Apple butter, anyway?

Despite the name, apple butter is actually dairy-free and contains no butter or dairy whatsoever. Its name is actually derived from its smooth spreadability similar to that of butter. In actuality, apple butter (also known as apple jam)  is just a thicker, more spiced version of apple sauce.  


How to Make Crock Pot Apple Butter

** You can find the full recipe ingredients and instructions on the printable recipe card below.

  1. Peel and core apples. Place apples in the slow cooker [paid link].
  2. Cook on LOW for 12 hours.
  3. Continue to cook on low with the lid removed so that steam can escape and thicken the sauce.
  4. Blend to your desired consistency. I prefer old-fashioned smooth.
  5. Allow to cool, then spoon into jars and store in the refrigerator.
An image of the ingredients needed for crock pot apple butter.

Ingredients for Crock Pot Apple Butter

  • Apples
  • Cinnamon
  • Nutmeg
  • Cloves
  • Granulated Sugar
  •  Brown Sugar
  • Salt
An image of peeled apples and apple peels on a b;ue background.

What are the best apples for apple butter?

The best apples for this recipe will always be whichever varieties are your favorite! You can (and should) mix and match apple varieties to make this jam. Since apples cook down at different rates, they will yield different textures when you puree the apples. That being said, softer apples are typically used since they cook down the quickest. However, I prefer, a 50-50 blend of tart granny smith apples with a blend of sweeter apples like honey crisp and fuji apples. Other varieties typically used are Braeburn, McIntosh, and golden delicious.

A close-up view of a jar of small batch apple butter.

What are the uses for Apple Butter

The list here is pretty much endless. 

  • Toast, biscuits, bagels, or scones
  • Stirred into warm oatmeal
  • Topped on Pancakes
  • Accompanying a cheese & bread board
  • Add as a glaze to pork chops
  • Made into a BBQ sauce and glazed on chicken and pork
  • Make Frozen Apple Pie Ice Cream – YUMM!
  • Add to baked goods like Apple Butter Cake Roll or Apple Butter Snickerdoodles
  • Packaged as a hostess gift
An image of apple butter slathered with small-batch apple butter

FAQs

  • Do you refrigerate Apple Butter?

    Yes, after its cooled. Apple butter must be kept in the refrigerator.

  • How long is apple butter good for? How long does apple butter last in the fridge?

    Apple butter does not contain any preservatives and therefore only lasts for a few weeks. in the refrigerator.

  • Can you freeze Apple butter?

    Yes, freeze for up to two months.

  • Can Apple Butter be canned?

    Yes, apple butter can be canned.

  • Is Apple Butter Gluten-free?

    Absolutely! The 7 simple ingredients do not contain gluten.

  • Is apple butter vegan?

    Yes! Despite the name, crock pot apple butter is dairy-free.

  • Is Apple Butter Dairy-Free?

    Yes! Despite the name, crock pot apple butter is dairy-free.


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Crock Pot Apple Butter 11

Crock Pot Apple Butter 11

Crock Pot Apple Butter

Ronda Eagle | Kitchen Dreaming
Learn how to make a small batch of homemade apple butter using a crock-pot or slow cooker. This warmly-spiced apple jam captures all of the flavors of fall; cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. It is great on biscuits and scones, stirred into a bowl of warm oatmeal, served with a cheese board, or packaged as a gift. Despite the name, crock pot apple butter is dairy-free.
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 12 hours
Total Time 12 hours 30 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 64 (1 Tablespoons) Servings
Calories 191 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 6 pounds granny smith , or Fuji apples, peeled, cored and sliced
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions
 

  • Place apples in slow cooker. In a medium bowl, whisk together the sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and salt. Sprinkle over the apples and stir gently to combine. Cook on LOW for 12 hours.
  • Remove cover and blend until smooth.
  • If you prefer a thicker apple butter, continue to cook on low with the lid removed so that steam can escape and thicken the sauce.
  • Allow to cool, then spoon into jars and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cupCalories: 191kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 78mgPotassium: 203mgFiber: 4gSugar: 44gVitamin A: 93IUVitamin C: 8mgVitamin E: 1mgVitamin K: 4µgCalcium: 27mgFolate: 5µgIron: 1mgZinc: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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