This Slow Cooker Apple Butter is simply made with sweet, juicy apples and warm spices blended to thick and creamy perfection. It's a wholesome and delicious spread for toast, crostini, and so much more!

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why You'll Love This Apple Butter Recipe
• 🛒 Ingredients for Apple Butter
• 🔪 How to Make Apple Butter in the Slow Cooker
• 💡 Tips for Making Apple Butter
• ☑️ Storage Instructions
• 🍴 Ways to Serve Homemade Apple Butter
• 🔄 Substitutions and Additions
• What is Apple Butter?
• How is Apple Butter Different from Applesauce?
• Can I Use Another Type of Apple to Make Apple Butter?
• Is Apple Butter Healthy?
• 🍽️ More Healthy Sauce and Spread Recipes

❤️ Why You'll Love This Apple Butter Recipe

• Rich apple and warm spice flavors
• Thick and creamy texture
• Spread over toast, crostini and much more
• Made with healthy ingredients without preservatives
• Freezer friendly

If you’ve never had apple butter before, think of it as a richer and warmer cousin to applesauce. While there are plenty of store-bought brands, nothing beats this made-from-scratch, wholesome recipe. It tastes heavenly on just about anything, but you also use it to create some really incredible desserts.

What makes this apple butter recipe so special is the easy preparation. There’s no need for constant babysitting a boiling pot. Just peel, slice, add spices, and let the slow cooker take care of the rest. Before you know it, your apples will be tender, filled with cozy fall flavors, and ready to blend into a delicious spread.

If you love this recipe, you should also check out this homemade Applesauce recipe. It's so easy to make and keep on hand for a last minute addition to breakfast or snack.

🛒 Ingredients for Apple Butter

• Apples
• Coconut sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Vanilla

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

🥣 Recommended Tools

• Slow cooker
• Food processor or immersion blender

🔪 How to Make Apple Butter in the Slow Cooker

Peel, core and chop the apples.  I use an apple corer and slicer tool that makes it so much easier!

Add them into a large mixing bowl, then pour in the coconut sugar, ground cinnamon and nutmeg over the apples.

Stir to combine, making sure all the apples are well coated, then add them to your slow cooker insert.

Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.

Using an immersion blender or food processor.

Puree the apples until they reach your desired consistency. I like mine more on the smooth side, but feel free to leave it a little chunky if you’d like.

Cook uncovered on high for another 1-2 hours or until thickened to your liking.  Stir in the vanilla until well combined.

Serve warm over vanilla ice cream or spread over some toast. Check out some of the ideas below for how to serve apple butter.

💡 Tips for Making Apple Butter

This is a fail-proof recipe, but here are a few things that will ensure your apple butter turns out perfect every time:

• Adjust the consistency: Depending on the variety of apples, you may end up needing to adjust the consistency because some cook down juicier than others. If you need to thin it out, just add a little apple juice, cider or water until it’s the way you want it. Keep in mind that apple butter should be thicker than apple sauce.

• Stir occasionally: While the slow cooker does most of the work, occasional stirring can help ensure even cooking and prevent any sticking or burning on the bottom of the pot. Aim to gently stir the mixture every couple of hours, especially during the later stages of cooking. Just remember to get the lid back on as quickly as possible to prevent too much heat loss.

• Careful blending: When using an immersion blender to puree the cooked apples, be cautious not to lift the blender too high out of the mixture, because this can cause the piping hot liquid to splatter.

☑️ Storage Instructions

Store leftovers in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to a couple of months.

🍴 Ways to Serve Homemade Apple Butter

• Pancake topping: Warm apple butter in the microwave or on the stovetop and drizzle it over freshly made Pancakes, Waffles, or Crepes for a delicious breakfast or brunch treat.

• Sandwich spread: Spread apple butter on a couple of slices of Homemade Bread with savory sandwich meat. Pair it with peanut butter for a classic peanut butter and apple butter sandwich.

• Oats mix-In: Swirl apple butter into a bowl of hot oatmeal or Baked Oats for added sweetness and flavor. 

• Yogurt dip: Mix apple butter with Greek yogurt to create a creamy and flavorful dip for fresh fruit, pretzels, or homemade Graham Crackers.

• Baking: Use apple butter as a substitute for some of the sugar or fat in baking recipes. It adds moisture and flavor to cakes, muffins, bread, and cookies.

• Salad dressing: Whisk apple butter with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and Dijon mustard to create a flavorful salad dressing. Toss it with mixed greens, nuts, cheese, and sliced apples for a delicious autumn salad.

• With cheese: Serve apple butter alongside a cheese board as a sweet complement to savory cheeses like sharp cheddar, aged Gouda, or creamy brie. 

• Ice Cream: Warm apple butter in the microwave and drizzle it over vanilla ice cream for a delightful autumn-inspired sundae. 

🔄 Substitutions and Additions

• Sweetener: If you don't have coconut sugar, you can use half granulated sugar and half brown sugar as a replacement.  If you're trying to cut back on sugar, you can use the same combination of monk fruit and allulose.

• Citrus zest: Add the zest of one lemon or orange to the apple mixture before cooking to brighten the flavors.

• Ginger: Grate fresh ginger or add ground ginger to the apple mixture for an extra hint of warmth.

• Maple syrup: Substitute some or all of the coconut sugar with maple syrup for a richer and more indulgent apple butter. 

• Vanilla extract: If you don't have vanilla bean paste, use vanilla extract instead. Add it to the apple mixture at the beginning of cooking.

• Spice blends: Experiment with different spice blends, such as pumpkin pie spice, apple pie spice, or chai spice, for unique flavors.

• Apple chunks: For a chunkier apple butter, reserve some chopped apples before pureeing and stir them back into the mixture during the final hour of cooking. 

•  Nuts: Stir in chopped nuts such as pecans or walnuts for added crunch and nuttiness. Toast the nuts lightly before adding them to the apple butter.

What is Apple Butter?

Apple butter is a spread made by slow-cooking apples with sugar and spices until they caramelize and develop a rich, smooth texture.

How is Apple Butter Different from Applesauce?

Both apple butter and applesauce are made from cooked apples. Apple butter is cooked for a longer period of time until it becomes thick and caramelized, resulting in a deeper flavor and smoother texture.

Can I Use Another Type of Apple to Make Apple Butter?

Yes, you can use most any variety of apple to make apple butter. Some popular choices include Pink Lady, Honey Crisp, Granny Smith, and Fuji.

Is Apple Butter Healthy?

While apple butter does contain coconut sugar, it is also a source of fiber and vitamins from the apples. When enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet, apple butter can be a tasty and nutritious option.

🍽️ More Healthy Sauce and Spread Recipes

• Strawberry Chia Seed Jam
• Raspberry Sauce
• Strawberry Sauce
• Salted Caramel Sauce
• Sugar-Free Nutella
• 5 Minute Lemon Curd
• Blueberry Sauce