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A jar of dark, glossy slow cooker apple butter with a spoon, fresh apples and cinnamon sticks nearby

Slow Cooker Apple Butter

Fresh apples slowly cooked with cinnamon, cloves and brown sugar until thick, dark and spreadable. No pectin and very little stirring.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 11 hours
Total Time 11 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 32 tablespoons
Course: Condiment
Cuisine: American
Calories: 35
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 5 pounds apples about 12 medium, peeled, cored and chopped (2.3 kg)
  • 1/2 cup apple cider (120 ml)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 3/4 cup light brown sugar packed (150 g)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar (50 g)
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Method
 

  1. Place the chopped apples in a 6-quart slow cooker and add the cider and lemon juice.
  2. Sprinkle the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and salt over the apples and stir well.
  3. Cover and cook on low for 10 hours, stirring once or twice if possible, until the apples are very soft and dark brown.
  4. Stir in the vanilla, then blend with an immersion blender until completely smooth.
  5. Cook uncovered on high for 1 to 2 hours, stirring every 20 to 30 minutes, until thick and a spoonful holds its shape on a cold plate.
  6. Cool completely, then spoon into clean jars and refrigerate or freeze.

Notes

Storage: Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 6 months, leaving headspace in the container.
Canning: This recipe is written for refrigerator and freezer storage. Use a tested canning procedure if you want shelf stable jars.
Nutrition is an estimate per tablespoon.