The whimsical cousin of applesauce, this spiced Slow Cooker Apple Butter is the perfect way to infuse more sweet apples and cozy spices into your day! It’s so simple to make, and tastes just like your favorite spiced Cracker Barrel apple butter. Slather it on your toast, pancakes, or warm biscuits, or give some as a sweet gift in a jar. No peeling required!
This slow cooker apple butter is the slow simmered sweetness your sweet tooth has been craving.
It’s rich and spiced, and cinnamon kissed to perfection!
Christie writes: "Totally amazing! So perfect for the fall."
The best part… the Crock Pot does all the work for you!
So today you’ll just toss everything in and let all the magic happen while you go on your merry way! The same as when you make my cozy Crockpot Homemade Applesauce, dreamy Peach Butter, and perfectly spiced Crock Pot Pumpkin Butter.
The result is a delicious jar of harvest sunshine that will endlessly upgrade almost anything you can imagine!
Pretty neat, right?
A BIG thank you to The Brady Girls for sharing this delicious slow cook apple butter!
“I love apple butter! This spicy apple butter recipe is the taste of all things autumn. I really believe if fall had a flavor, it would be apple butter.
It looks so tantalizing sitting there in the pretty jars, then once opened the aroma wafts all around one’s head until you can’t grab a spoon and piece of toast fast enough, so you nearly stick your finger into the jar to have a taste.
Apple butter is a lost art. Many stores do not carry it and even fewer people make it.
The question left unanswered for me is, ‘why?’ It is the most easy of all of the jams in the entire world to make.
My recipe is so simple, just toss everything into the wonderful invention that is the crockpot and walk away. 10 hours later there is jam.
Well there is another step. Most will peel and core every apple. I don’t waste my time with that. I am an old fashioned kind of gal.
The pectin that makes the jam set doesn’t need to be added from a packet. Nope, it is in the peel and the core of the apples. So I just quarter the whole apples and toss the few other ingredients in.
At the end of 9 hours, when I believe all is well and cooked, I smash everything through a wire strainer, thus removing peels and seeds. In this process everything is so soft there is little effort involved.
I know, I know, is she crazy or is she a genius? Well, go ahead and try this easy recipe and you can decide.
I will warn you, unexpected guests may suddenly appear due to the wonderful aroma coming from your home…”
Ingredients
You’ll just need a few simple ingredients to make one of your new favorite Sweet Breakfast Recipes. This spicy apple butter recipe slow cooker masterpiece!
- 8 Pounds of Apples – use Granny Smith, Fuji, Gala, Pink Lady, or a combination of these apple varieties.
- Apple Juice – use 100% Pure Apple Juice.
- Brown Sugar – see my favorite tricks for How to Keep Brown Sugar Soft.
- Granulated Sugar – just regular white sugar.
- Chinese Five Spice – this can be found on your grocery store’s spice aisle.
- Ground Cinnamon – I recommend using a higher quality cinnamon for best flavor, just like I do with my Easy Apple Pie Filling and Crockpot Baked Apples with Oats.
Like most of my easy Fall Crockpot Recipes, you’ll also need a 5 – 6 quart Crock Pot to prepare your Crock Pot apple butter.
How To Make Crockpot Apple Butter
Trust me, when you don’t have to peel any apples, preparing your apple butter in the slow cooker gets crazy easy!
Here’s how to make slow cooker apple butter the EASY way…
1. Quarter your apples and place them in the slow cooker.
2. Add the remaining ingredients and give it all a good stir.
3. Cook as directed, then remove and strain the contents to remove peels and seeds, before placing back in crockpot to continue cooking until done.
That’s it. Easy peasy!
Scroll down for the printable crockpot apple butter recipe card with detailed, step-by-step instructions.
How to Store Apple Butter Without Canning
Your slow cooker apple butter can be stored either in your refrigerator or freezer, making it one of the most ideal Breakfast Meal Prep Ideas and make-ahead Slow Cooker Thanksgiving Recipes.
Refrigerator: Store in refrigerator and use within 3 weeks.
Freezer: Store in freezer and use within 3 months.
If freezing your slow cooker apple butter in mason jars, be sure to leave a little extra room at the top for expansion when freezing. When ready to use, simply transfer a jar of frozen apple butter to the refrigerator to thaw overnight.
Apple Butter Uses
So what is slow cooker apple butter used for? There are actually SO many delicious ways to put this cozy spread to use!
Here are just a few to help get your creativity activated…
- Hot Biscuit or Bagel Spread
- Crusty Bread Recipe Spread
- English Muffin Spread
- Oat Flour Pancakes Topping
- Sweet Potato Fries Dip
- Vanilla Ice Cream Topping
- Waffle Topping
- Giving as a cute little Christmas Gifts in a Jar!
The options really are endless!
Reviews
Here’s what your frugal friends are saying about this easy slow cook apple butter…
Carole writes: “I made it, and it is good!”
Alexandra writes: “This makes a fabulous gift!”
Deanna writes: “I have 4 apple trees and make this every year.”
Angie writes: “We love apple butter with cream cheese! 🙂 “
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Did You Enjoy This Recipe? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a comment & review below!
Slow Cooker Apple Butter
Doubling Recipe Tip
If doubling or tripling recipe with buttons below, ingredient notes found after comma will not adjust. Increase ingredients as needed.
Ingredients
- 8 lbs. Apples, Granny Smith, Fuji, Gala or Pink lady Apples. (or any combination of those varieties)
- ½ cup Apple Juice, (use 100% Pure Apple Juice)
- 2 cups Light Brown Sugar, packed
- 2 cups White Sugar
- 1 tbsp. Chinese 5 Spice, (If not at your local store, can be found on Amazon)
- 2 tbsp. Ground Cinnamon
Instructions
- Quarter apples and place in a large crock pot.
- Add all other ingredients and give it a stir to coat.
- Place the lid on and let it cook on LOW for 9 to 10 hours.
- At about 9 hours, strain (smash) the contents through a wire mesh strainer into a large pot and place back into your crockpot, discarding seeds and cores (perfect for the compost pile)!
- Place apple butter back in the crock pot and cook an additional 1 hour uncovered until thick.
- Place into sterilized jars, and either refrigerate or freeze. (see Notes below for instructions)
Notes
- Yield: Total apple butter yield may vary slightly from batch to batch. Recipe will make enough for approximately 6-7 pint jars. (16 oz. jars)
- Refrigerator Storage Tip: Store your slow cooker apple butter in an airtight container and use within 3 weeks.
- Freezer Storage Tip: Or you can store your crockpot apple butter in a freezer safe container and use within 3 months. Allow for extra space in jars to allow for expansion.
- FAQ’s: For answers to Frequently Asked Questions or tips for common substitutions and variations, please refer to the detailed information above this recipe card.
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!The Brady Girls – a mother, daughter, and sister team full of passion for food, and cookin’ up great times together! It all started with thousands of recipes from our Grandma Brady that inspired us to share our family traditions, and new creations with all of you.
Such a wonderful fall recipe! I love how the slow cooker does most of the work and fills the kitchen with the warmest apple and spice aroma. The apple butter turns out beautifully rich and flavorful, and the no-peeling method makes it even better. So delicious spread over warm toast or biscuits!
I agree Silvia, nothing hits the spot like this apple butter on a piece of toast. It’s so so good!
I’m so glad I found your version of apple butter! I couldn’t believe how many crockpot recipes I opened and closed which called for coringy and peeling the apples before cooking before finding yours! . What a colossal waste of time and effort.
I’ve got my apples in the crockpot now. I’m going to try running them through my food mill tomorrow morning then allowing them to carmelize tomorrow.
We purchased a property in N. Michigan a year and a half ago which has 30+ apple trees, the majority of which are grafted to have 2-3 different varieties on each tree. I made more apple recipes last year than I ever imagined I would in my lifetime.
That’s so incredible that you’ve got over 30 apple trees on your property, Shelley. What a treat! Enjoy the apple butter! 🙂
J’aime beaucoup le beurre de pomme, tu me donnes envie d’en faire
Merci pour ta recette
Belle soirée
De rien, Delphine… Belle soirée 🙂
Totally amazing! So perfect for the fall.
That’s so true, Christie! Apple picking in the Fall is such a fun tradition!
Wow these recipes sound scrumptious , I wish I could cook a quarter as great as you you ladies( and sometimes the men but not too many on here) haha girl power chefs Yahoo!!! Ladies you are amazing!!! I haven’t tried to make any of them yet but you bet your boots I’m going to try!!! But you’re all so amazing Thank You for giving the rest of us a chance to try something new and not the ole boring stuff all the time!!! Thank You Kindly
Aww ~ you’re very welcome, Carolyn. So glad you’re enjoying the fun recipes! 🙂
Can you freeze the Apple Butter and how long will it keep otherwise please?
I am going to try to make this butter and the freezer jams!!! They sure won’t be like yours but I’m sure gonna try , I’m not a Frugal girl cook so I’ll put some effort into them ok and I’ll be sure to let you know ladies!!!
Yes, this freezes beautifully!
– If refrigerating, use within 3 weeks.
– If freezing, use within 3 months.
Chinese 5 spice is at most grocery stores. It’s like a ginger, clove alspice mix. The recipe sounds awesome. Can’t wait to try
It’s so delicious… ENJOY!
Did anyone get an answer about the Chinese Space….If so, I missed it while scrolling….please repost.
What Chinese 5 spice blend do we use? can we make the blend ourselves?
You can use just a standard ‘Chinese 5 Spice’ found on the spice and seasoning aisle at your local grocery store.
I am going to do apple butter now, but where can I get Chinese 5 spices?
You can find ‘Chinese 5 Spice’ on the spice and seasoning aisle at your local grocery store.
I love apple butter and these ideas in a jar
It really is SO delicious!