Imagine waking up to the warm, inviting aroma of homemade apple butter wafting through your kitchen, a delicious spread that captures the essence of autumn in every bite. This Crock Pot Apple Butter recipe is not only simple but also incredibly rewarding, transforming fresh apples into a velvety, sweet concoction that’s perfect for slathering on toast, pancakes, or even as a delightful addition to your favorite desserts. With just a few ingredients and a little patience, you can create a batch that yields 3 cups of pure bliss. Ready to elevate your breakfast game? Let’s dive into this easy and scrumptious recipe that will have your taste buds dancing!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 10 hrs
Total Time: 10 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 3 cups
Ingredients
- 6 cups peeled, cored, and chopped apples
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Wash and prepare apples by peeling, coring, and chopping them into small, uniform pieces. Choose firm, sweet-tart apple varieties like Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Granny Smith for best results.
- Place chopped apples into the slow cooker, ensuring they are evenly distributed across the bottom of the pot.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves. Mix thoroughly to create a spice blend.
- Sprinkle the spice mixture evenly over the chopped apples in the crock pot. Drizzle lemon juice over the top to help prevent browning and add a bright, tangy flavor.
- Cover the crock pot and set to low heat. Allow the apples to cook slowly, stirring occasionally (every 1-2 hours) to prevent sticking and ensure even caramelization.
- Cook the apple mixture for approximately 10 hours, or until the apples have broken down completely and transformed into a thick, dark, spreadable consistency.
- Use an immersion blender or transfer the mixture to a standard blender to puree until smooth and creamy, if desired.
- Let the apple butter cool completely before transferring to clean, sterilized glass jars. Seal and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
Tips
- Choose the Right Apples: For the best flavor and texture, opt for a mix of sweet-tart apple varieties like Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Granny Smith. Their natural sweetness paired with a touch of tartness will create a well-balanced apple butter.
- Prep Efficiently: Take the time to peel, core, and chop your apples into uniform pieces. This ensures even cooking and prevents some pieces from becoming mushy while others remain chunky.
- Stir Occasionally: While the slow cooker does most of the work, stirring the mixture every 1-2 hours helps achieve an even caramelization and prevents any sticking to the sides of the pot.
- Adjust Sweetness: Feel free to adjust the amount of sugar based on your taste preferences or the sweetness of the apples you’re using. You can also experiment with adding other spices like ginger or allspice for a unique twist.
- Blend for Smoothness: If you prefer a smoother texture, use an immersion blender directly in the crock pot or transfer the mixture to a standard blender. Blend until you achieve your desired consistency.
- Storage Tips: Once cooled, store your apple butter in clean, sterilized glass jars. It can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks, but trust us, it won’t last that long!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 80kcal
Carbohydrates: 21g
Protein: 0g
Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
