Slow Cooker Apple Butter
Slow Cooker Apple Butter
Ingredients
For the Apple Butter
- 5 pounds mixed baking apples, cored and cut into 1-inch chunks, peels left on
- 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, packed
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground clove
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 star anise pods, whole
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the apples: Wash the apples thoroughly. Using a sturdy knife and cutting board, carefully core each apple and cut it into roughly 1-inch chunks. Do not peel the apples, as the peels will cook down and add flavor and color. Discard any bruised or bad portions of the apples.
⏱️ 25 min
- 2
Combine ingredients in the slow cooker: Transfer all the prepared apple chunks into the insert of a large slow cooker. Sprinkle the light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground clove, and fine sea salt evenly over the apples. Add the whole star anise pods and drizzle the fresh lemon juice over everything.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Begin initial cooking: Stir all the ingredients together in the slow cooker until the apples are well coated with the spices and sugar. Cover the slow cooker and set it to the 'high' heat setting. Cook for 2 hours, stirring occasionally during this period to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
⏱️ 120 min
- 4
Continue slow cooking: After 2 hours on high, reduce the slow cooker setting to 'low' heat. Re-cover and continue to cook for an additional 7 to 9 hours, or overnight. The apples should be very soft, significantly reduced in volume, and deeply caramelized. The mixture will darken considerably.
⏱️ 420 min
- 5
Puree the apple butter: Carefully remove the star anise pods from the cooked apple mixture and discard them. Using an immersion blender, blend the apple mixture directly in the slow cooker insert until it reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency. Alternatively, you can transfer the mixture in batches to a regular blender or food processor to puree, then return it to the slow cooker.
⏱️ 10 min
- 6
Store and serve: Transfer the finished apple butter into clean jars. Allow it to cool completely before sealing. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks, or freeze for longer preservation. Serve generously on toast, biscuits, pancakes, or as a condiment with pork.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Slow Cooker Apple Butter
Ingredients
For the Apple Butter
- 5 pounds mixed baking apples, cored and cut into 1-inch chunks, peels left on
- 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, packed
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground clove
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 star anise pods, whole
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the apples: Wash the apples thoroughly. Using a sturdy knife and cutting board, carefully core each apple and cut it into roughly 1-inch chunks. Do not peel the apples, as the peels will cook down and add flavor and color. Discard any bruised or bad portions of the apples.
⏱️ 25 min - 2
Combine ingredients in the slow cooker: Transfer all the prepared apple chunks into the insert of a large slow cooker. Sprinkle the light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground clove, and fine sea salt evenly over the apples. Add the whole star anise pods and drizzle the fresh lemon juice over everything.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Begin initial cooking: Stir all the ingredients together in the slow cooker until the apples are well coated with the spices and sugar. Cover the slow cooker and set it to the 'high' heat setting. Cook for 2 hours, stirring occasionally during this period to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
⏱️ 120 min - 4
Continue slow cooking: After 2 hours on high, reduce the slow cooker setting to 'low' heat. Re-cover and continue to cook for an additional 7 to 9 hours, or overnight. The apples should be very soft, significantly reduced in volume, and deeply caramelized. The mixture will darken considerably.
⏱️ 420 min - 5
Puree the apple butter: Carefully remove the star anise pods from the cooked apple mixture and discard them. Using an immersion blender, blend the apple mixture directly in the slow cooker insert until it reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency. Alternatively, you can transfer the mixture in batches to a regular blender or food processor to puree, then return it to the slow cooker.
⏱️ 10 min - 6
Store and serve: Transfer the finished apple butter into clean jars. Allow it to cool completely before sealing. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks, or freeze for longer preservation. Serve generously on toast, biscuits, pancakes, or as a condiment with pork.
⏱️ 5 min