Homemade Slow Cooker Maple Apple Butter Recipe
Introduction
This Homemade Slow Cooker Maple Apple Butter is a warm and cozy spread perfect for autumn mornings or anytime you crave a touch of sweet and spiced apple goodness. Made with natural ingredients like Honeycrisp apples and real maple syrup, it’s easy to prepare and wonderfully versatile.
Ingredients
- 4 pounds Honeycrisp apples, cored and diced
- 1 1/4 cups apple cider
- 1/2 cup real maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon or 1–2 cinnamon sticks
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 pinch ground cloves (about 1/4 teaspoon)
- 1 pinch sea salt or kosher salt
Instructions
- Step 1: In the bowl of your slow cooker, combine the apples, apple cider, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, stirring halfway through cooking.
- Step 2: Remove the cinnamon stick (if used), then transfer the apples to a blender and puree until smooth. Return the puree to the slow cooker and cook uncovered on high for 1-2 hours, or until slightly thickened.
- Step 3: Taste the apple butter and adjust the sweetness by adding more maple syrup if desired. Allow to cool before storing.
Tips & Variations
- Using Honeycrisp apples gives a naturally sweet and tart flavor, but you can substitute with Gala or Fuji apples for a different taste.
- For a deeper spice aroma, toast the cinnamon sticks briefly before adding them to the cooker.
- If you prefer a chunkier texture, pulse the apples in the blender briefly instead of pureeing completely smooth.
Storage
Store the cooled apple butter in airtight glass jars or containers in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. Reheat gently in a small saucepan or microwave before serving if desired. This apple butter also freezes well for longer storage.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make this recipe without a slow cooker?
Yes, you can make this apple butter on the stove-top or in an Instant Pot. On the stove, simmer the ingredients until the apples are soft and liquid reduces by half, then puree and cook further to thicken. Using an Instant Pot, cook on high pressure for 20 minutes, then puree and sauté to finish.
How do I know when the apple butter is done?
Your apple butter is done when it’s thickened to a spreadable consistency and has a rich, sweet aroma. It should hold its shape on a spoon and not be too watery. Cooking uncovered in the final step helps achieve the perfect thickness.
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Homemade Slow Cooker Maple Apple Butter Recipe
- Total Time: 5 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: About 4 cups 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Homemade Slow Cooker Maple Apple Butter is a cozy, spiced spread made from sweet Honeycrisp apples simmered to perfection with real maple syrup and warming spices. Perfect for spreading on toast, dolloping on pancakes, or stirring into yogurt, this apple butter combines the natural sweetness of apples and maple with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and vanilla for a deliciously smooth and flavorful treat. The recipe offers flexible cooking methods including slow cooker, instant pot, or stovetop, allowing you to make it with your preferred equipment.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 4 pounds Honeycrisp apples, cored and diced
- 1 1/4 cups apple cider
- 1/2 cup real maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon or 1–2 cinnamon sticks
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 pinch ground cloves (about 1/4 teaspoon)
- 1 pinch sea salt or kosher salt
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In your chosen cooking vessel—slow cooker, instant pot, or heavy-bottomed pot for stovetop cooking—add the diced apples, apple cider, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon (either ground or stick), freshly grated nutmeg, ground cloves, and a pinch of salt. Mix them together to ensure even distribution of spices and flavors.
- Cook the Apples: Depending on your equipment, cook the apple mixture as follows: For the slow cooker, cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, stirring once halfway through. For the instant pot, seal and cook on high pressure for 20 minutes, then release the steam carefully. On the stovetop, bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium-low and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes until apples are very soft and liquid has reduced by half, stirring occasionally and adding water if needed.
- Puree the Mixture: Remove any cinnamon sticks used. Transfer the cooked apples to a blender and puree until smooth, creating a silky apple butter base. Return this puree to your cooking vessel.
- Thicken the Apple Butter: Cook the pureed apples uncovered until the apple butter is slightly thickened. Use high heat for 1-2 hours in the slow cooker, sauté mode for 15-20 minutes in the instant pot, or medium heat for 15-20 minutes on the stovetop. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
- Adjust and Store: Taste your apple butter and add extra maple syrup if you prefer a sweeter spread. Allow the apple butter to cool, then transfer it into glass jars. Refrigerate and enjoy within one month for the best flavor and freshness.
Notes
- You can choose between ground cinnamon or cinnamon sticks, but be sure to remove the sticks before blending.
- If the mixture becomes too thick during cooking, add a splash of apple cider or water to loosen it.
- Using Honeycrisp apples gives a nice balance of sweetness and tartness but you can substitute with other sweet apples like Fuji or Gala.
- Store apple butter in sterilized glass jars in the refrigerator and use within one month.
- This apple butter can also be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw in the refrigerator before use.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Spread
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: homemade apple butter, slow cooker apple butter, maple apple butter, fall recipes, fruit spreads, autumn preserves
