Can I make it on the stove?

Yes, simmer covered on the lowest setting for 4-5 hours, stirring often to prevent burning.

Process filled jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes for shelf-stable apple butter.

Jar of dark apple butter with a spoon on a rustic wooden table

Velvety spiced apple butter made in the slow cooker

Slow Cooker Apple Butter

Name: Slow Cooker Apple Butter
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 h
Total time: 10 h 20 min
Yield: 4 cups
Ingredients: 5 lbs mixed apples, peeled, cored, and chopped; 1 cup brown sugar; 1 tbsp cinnamon; 1/4 tsp ground cloves; 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar; 1 tsp vanilla extract

10h 20mEasy

Prep Time

20 min

Cook Time

10 hr

Total Time

10 hr 20 min

Servings

4 cups

Difficulty

Easy

Cost

Budget

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Slow Cooker Apple Butter

Velvety spiced apple butter made in the slow cooker

Rich, velvety apple butter slow-cooked until deeply caramelized with warm cinnamon, cloves, and vanilla. Spread it on toast, swirl into oatmeal, or give jars as gifts.

20m

Prep Time

600m

Cook Time

620m

Total Time

Servings

Easy

Difficulty

Budget $

Cost

Breakfast Side Dish Vegan Gluten-Free Dairy-Free

Sarah Chen

December 7, 2023(Updated April 12, 2026)

This apple butter cooks itself in the slow cooker overnight, filling your home with the most incredible cinnamon-apple aroma. By morning, you have a thick, spreadable apple butter with intense, concentrated apple flavor.

Ingredients

5 lbs mixed apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
1 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cloves
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp vanilla extract

PrecisionUtility

Test Kitchen Pick

Slow Cooker

Helpful Tool

Why a slow cooker helps here

This dish is mostly about giving the ingredients enough time. A dependable slow cooker makes that hands-off part much easier to repeat.

The easiest win here is steady low heat without needing to hover over the pot.

Keeps cooking low and steady
Makes prep-ahead dinners easier

If you like batch cooking or low-effort dinners, this is one of the most reusable tools you can buy.

Shop slow cooker options for this recipe

Instructions

1
Place chopped apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and vinegar in a slow cooker. Stir to combine.
2
Cook on low for 10-12 hours or high for 6-8 hours, stirring once or twice, until dark and very soft.
3
Blend with an immersion blender until completely smooth.
4
Remove the lid and cook on high for 1-2 more hours to thicken further, stirring occasionally.
5
Stir in vanilla, then ladle into clean jars. Refrigerate once cooled.

Serving Suggestions

Ways to Serve This Dish

Serve alongside fresh fruit and your favorite morning beverage
Pair with crispy bacon or sausage links for a hearty start

Substitutions

Brown sugarMaple syrup (3/4 cup)

A more complex, less refined sweetener

Mixed applesPears

Makes a beautiful pear butter with the same technique

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

Use a mix of apple varieties—Granny Smith for tartness and Fuji for sweetness gives the best balance.
Prop the slow cooker lid open with a wooden spoon during the last hour to help moisture escape and thicken.

Storage

Refrigerate in sealed jars for up to 3 weeks. Freezes for up to 6 months.

Reheating

Serve at room temperature or cold. No reheating needed.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (0mg) · 32 servings

Calories50

LowModerateHigh

A light, low-calorie option · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet

Protein0g

Carbohydrates0g

Fat13g

Fiber5mg

Sugar1g

Sodium11g

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make it on the stove?: Yes, simmer covered on the lowest setting for 4-5 hours, stirring often to prevent burning.
How do I can it?: Process filled jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes for shelf-stable apple butter.

Explore More

More Breakfast More Side Dish Vegan Recipes Gluten-Free Recipes Dairy-Free Recipes Slow Cooker Recipes

About Sarah Chen

Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.

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Instructions

1
Place chopped apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and vinegar in a slow cooker. Stir to combine.
2
Cook on low for 10-12 hours or high for 6-8 hours, stirring once or twice, until dark and very soft.
3
Blend with an immersion blender until completely smooth.
4
Remove the lid and cook on high for 1-2 more hours to thicken further, stirring occasionally.
5
Stir in vanilla, then ladle into clean jars. Refrigerate once cooled.

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

Use a mix of apple varieties—Granny Smith for tartness and Fuji for sweetness gives the best balance.
Prop the slow cooker lid open with a wooden spoon during the last hour to help moisture escape and thicken.

Storage

Refrigerate in sealed jars for up to 3 weeks. Freezes for up to 6 months.

Reheating

Serve at room temperature or cold. No reheating needed.

Slow Cooker Apple Butter

Slow Cooker Apple Butter

Slow Cooker Apple Butter