Homemade Slow Cooker Maple Apple Butter
Homemade Slow Cooker Maple Apple Butter is a cozy, flavorful spread combining the natural sweetness of apples with the rich, caramel notes of pure maple syrup. Slowly simmered to perfection in a crockpot, this velvety and fragrant apple butter is perfect for spreading on toast, stirring into yogurt, or gifting. Its natural ingredients and long-lasting flavor make it a versatile and wholesome treat that captures the essence of autumn in every bite.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 to 10 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes to 10 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: About 4 cups 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Apples
- 4 to 5 lbs mixed apples (such as Fuji and Granny Smith), washed, cored, and roughly chopped
Sweetener & Flavorings
- 1 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Prepare the Apples: Wash, core, and roughly chop your apples into chunks. Peeling is optional as the skins soften during cooking and add nutrients.
- Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Place chopped apples in the slow cooker along with maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Stir well to evenly distribute the spices.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cover and cook on low heat for 8 to 10 hours. The apples will break down completely and thicken to a dark, butter-like consistency.
- Blend to Smooth Perfection: Use an immersion blender directly in the slow cooker or transfer in batches to a blender. Puree until smooth and creamy, adjusting texture as desired.
- Final Thickening: Turn the slow cooker to high and cook uncovered for an additional 30 to 60 minutes to thicken further. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Cool and Store: Allow the apple butter to cool before transferring to sterilized jars or containers. Store in the refrigerator or gift as desired.
Notes
- Choose a mix of sweet and tart apples for best flavor and texture.
- Cook low and slow to avoid burning and ensure even texture.
- Use a thick-bottomed slow cooker to prevent scorching during thickening.
- Stir occasionally near the end of cooking to prevent sticking and burn spots.
- Test texture and taste frequently to adjust sweetness or spice before final storage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 20mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: apple butter, slow cooker apple butter, maple apple butter, homemade apple butter, fall recipes, breakfast spread, slow cooker recipes, gluten free spread