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Oh, I can almost smell it now – that warm, cinnamon-spiced aroma that just *screams* cozy fall days! You know, before I really found my groove in the kitchen, my weeknights were honestly a bit of a mess. It felt like I was always rushing, and the idea of making something from scratch, let alone a special preserve, seemed impossible. But then I discovered how to make apple butter right in my slow cooker, and let me tell you, it changed EVERYTHING! It’s the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it recipe. This homemade apple butter is completely sugar-free, tastes like pure autumn magic, and fits perfectly with our philosophy here at Pure Cooking Joy: incredible food doesn’t need to be complicated. It’s about finding that simple joy, just like I found when I finally baked that first perfect loaf of bread. Trust me, you’re going to love how easy this is!
- Why You'll Love This Slow Cooker Apple Butter
- Ingredients for Homemade Apple Butter
- How to Make Apple Butter in Your Slow Cooker
- Tips for the Best No Sugar Added Apple Butter
- Serving Suggestions for Your Apple Butter
- Storage and Make-Ahead for Small Batch Preserves
- Frequently Asked Questions about Slow Cooker Apple Butter
- Nutritional Information
- Share Your Apple Butter Creations!
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Apple Butter
Seriously, this recipe is a game-changer! You’ll completely fall in love with it because:
- It’s a total “set it and forget it” kind of magic. Just toss everything in the slow cooker and let time do the work!
- It’s naturally sweetened with just apples – no added sugar needed, making it a wonderfully healthy fall spread.
- It’s so versatile! It’s absolutely divine spread on toast, swirled into your morning oatmeal, or even dolloped onto yogurt.
- The aroma while it cooks is pure autumn bliss, filling your home with that cozy cinnamon spice apple butter scent.
Ingredients for Homemade Apple Butter
Gathering your simple ingredients is the first step to this wonderful, homemade apple butter. You won’t believe how few things you need!
- 4 pounds apples, cored and quartered (about 10-12 medium apples – Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp work beautifully)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (this just helps keep those apples from browning too much!)
How to Make Apple Butter in Your Slow Cooker
This is where the magic really happens! Making apple butter in your slow cooker is SO easy, it practically bakes itself. It’s one of those fantastic “set it and forget it” recipes that I just adore, especially on busy days when I still want that wonderful homemade goodness. You’ll get that cozy, cinnamon spice apple butter flavor without all the fuss. Trust me, the smell alone will make you so happy you decided to make this easy crockpot recipe! Remember when I first learned to bake bread? This feels just like that – a simple process yielding something incredibly rewarding. You can find more about my journey with baking bread here!
Preparing the Apples for Slow Cooker Apple Butter
First things first, let’s get those apples ready! You’ll want to wash them really well, of course. Then, grab a good knife and carefully core them and cut them into quarters. Don’t worry too much about peeling them – the skins have a lot of good stuff in ’em, and they break down beautifully. The key here is getting them into roughly the same size pieces so they cook nice and even in the slow cooker. It’s that simple to get started on your homemade apple butter journey!
Achieving the Perfect Cinnamon Spice Apple Butter Consistency
Once your apples are all soft and beautiful after their slow cooker nap, it’s time for the smooth part! Carefully scoop the cooked apples and all that lovely liquid into a blender or a food processor. Blend it all up until it’s super smooth. Now, if you’re like me and you love that really silky texture, you can totally strain it through a fine-mesh sieve after blending. Just use a spoon to press all that deliciousness through – it takes a little extra time, but oh my goodness, is it worth it for that perfect cinnamon spice apple butter smoothness! If you want it a *little* thicker, just pop the lid off your slow cooker (or leave it slightly ajar) and cook on low for another hour or so. It’ll thicken right up!
Tips for the Best No Sugar Added Apple Butter
Making this apple butter is already super simple, but here are a few little tricks from my kitchen to yours to make it even more amazing! These tips will help ensure your homemade apple butter is just perfect, and of course, gloriously no sugar added:
- Pick the Right Apples: While you can use almost any apple, a mix of sweet and tart varieties really gives the best flavor. I love using Fuji or Gala for sweetness and Granny Smith for a little zing. It makes for a more complex, satisfying taste in your no sugar added apple butter. You might also love these apple cider cookies too!
- Don’t Skimp on the Spices: The spices are what make this apple butter sing! Taste it after blending and if you think it needs a little more cinnamon or a touch more cloves, go for it. That’s the beauty of making it yourself – you can totally customize it.
- Slow and Low is the Way to Go: Seriously, don’t try to rush this. Cooking it on low heat for a good 8-10 hours is key. It allows all those natural apple sugars to concentrate and the flavors to meld without burning. If you see any bits sticking to the bottom, just give it a quick stir. For more apple goodness, check out my apple fritter bread!
- Patience During Blending: If you decide to strain it for that extra-smooth texture, be patient! It can take a few minutes, but the result is so worth it for that silky-smooth apple butter on your toast.
Serving Suggestions for Your Apple Butter
Okay, so now you’ve got this gorgeous, homemade apple butter just begging to be used! Seriously, this stuff transforms breakfast and beyond. It’s absolutely perfect dolloped onto a warm bowl of oatmeal – I love swirling it into my protein oatmeal for an extra burst of flavor. And toasted sourdough? Forget about it. A generous spread of this apple butter for toast is pure heaven. But wait, there’s more! It’s also yummy paired with a sharp cheddar on a cheese board, stirred into plain yogurt for a quick, healthy snack, or even used as a filling for thumbprint cookies or a simple apple crumble. Your homemade apple butter is ready for anything!
Storage and Make-Ahead for Small Batch Preserves
So, what do you do with all that amazing apple butter you just made? Well, once your delicious apple butter for toast and apple butter for oatmeal has cooled completely, the best way to keep it fresh is to transfer it into airtight jars or containers. Pop those into the refrigerator, and you’ll have a lovely, healthy fall spread ready to go for about 3 weeks. Honestly, it’s so good, it usually doesn’t last that long! If you decide you want to make a bigger batch of these small batch preserves – maybe for gifts or just to stock up – you can easily double or triple the recipe. Just make sure you have enough fridge space, or if you plan on storing it for longer, you might want to look into proper canning methods. It’ll be perfect for your apple pie bars too!
Frequently Asked Questions about Slow Cooker Apple Butter
Got questions about this super easy crockpot recipe for apple butter? I bet you do! Let’s clear a few things up so you can make the best healthy fall spread possible.
Can I use different kinds of apples for this recipe?
Oh, totally! While I love a mix of sweet and tart like Fuji or Honeycrisp with a tart Granny Smith, you can really use whatever apples you have on hand. Softer apples might cook down a bit faster, so just keep an eye on them. Don’t worry too much about peeling either – the skins break down beautifully and add some extra goodness. It’ll still be delicious homemade apple butter no matter what!
My apple butter isn’t thick enough. What can I do?
No worries if yours is a little thinner than you like! After you blend it smooth, just take off the lid (or prop it open a little) and cook it on low for another hour or two. It’s basically letting some of that extra moisture evaporate. You can also give it a really good strain through a fine-mesh sieve like I mentioned – that’s my secret for a super thick, smooth texture!
Can I can this apple butter for longer storage?
That’s a great question, especially if you’re making a big batch! This recipe, as written, is really intended for refrigerator storage for about 3 weeks. For true canning and shelf-stable storage, you’ll need to follow specific tested canning recipes and procedures to ensure it’s safe. While many people do can homemade apple butter, it’s important to use safe methods to prevent spoilage. For more apple ideas, check out these yummy apple cider margaritas!
My apples seemed a little bland. How can I boost the flavor?
If your apples are on the sweeter side or just not packing a lot of punch, you can totally adjust the spices! Don’t be afraid to add a little more cinnamon, or maybe a pinch more nutmeg or cloves. Some people even add a tiny bit of vanilla extract after blending for an extra layer of flavor. That’s the beauty of this simple recipe – you can really play with it to make it taste perfect for *you*!
Nutritional Information
Just so you know, this lovely apple butter is pretty darn healthy! This is an estimate, and things can change a bit depending on the apples you use, but generally, a 2-tablespoon serving has about 50 calories, 10g of sugar (all natural from the apples!), and minimal fat or protein. It’s a fantastic way to add flavor without a lot of extra stuff.
Share Your Apple Butter Creations!
Now that you’ve got this incredible slow cooker apple butter waiting for you, I’d absolutely LOVE to hear how it turns out! Did you try it on toast or swirl it into your oatmeal? Maybe you even got creative with another serving idea! Drop a comment below and let me know your experience – I read every single one! And if you’re feeling inspired, snap a pic and share it on social media; tag me so I can see your beautiful homemade apple butter! You can also learn more about my whole cooking philosophy over on the About page, and check out more recipe inspiration on the blog. Don’t forget to connect with us on Facebook too!
PrintSlow Cooker No Sugar Added Apple Butter
Make delicious, no-sugar-added apple butter in your slow cooker. This easy recipe is perfect for spreading on toast or adding to oatmeal.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 8-10 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 min
- Yield: About 4 cups 1x
- Category: Preserves
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 4 pounds apples, cored and quartered (about 10–12 medium apples)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Place the apple quarters in your slow cooker.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and nutmeg over the apples.
- Add the lemon juice.
- Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours, or until the apples are very soft.
- Carefully transfer the cooked apples and liquid to a blender or food processor.
- Blend until smooth. For a thicker consistency, you can strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing on the solids.
- Transfer the apple butter to jars. Let cool completely before covering and refrigerating.
Notes
- This recipe makes about 4 cups of apple butter.
- For a smoother texture, you can use an immersion blender directly in the slow cooker before transferring.
- Store apple butter in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
- This apple butter is a great addition to your meal planning for fall.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 1mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
