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Slow Cooker Apple Butter {small-batch}

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Slow cooker apple butter; apple butter recipe made in the slow cooker. Makes 2 pints.

Crockpot Apple Butter Recipe. small batch apple butter recipe for two in the slow cooker

It’s slow cooker season! And by ‘season,’ I mean this:  I’m going to pull it out of the cabinet and use it exactly two times. I’ll make my Mom’s beef stew and apple butter recipe, and then it goes back into the cabinet to wait for Spring.

Truthfully, I’m not the biggest fan of the slow cooker, because, um it kinda makes food all taste the same way. I’ve tried hard to love it. I’m a busy Mama, and I know the slow cooker is my friend–it wants to be my friend.

This is the exact crockpot I use. I love it because it’s oval and has the mini dipper with it!

My crockpot stares at me longingly when I’m on my tip toes trying to reach the pans on the top shelf, yet I reject it every time. I just need the thrill of the chase, you know? More like a Dutch oven with a few hot spots that requires some effort to coax out the flavor. I need it, well…to be a little less slutty. It should work a little harder for my love; it’s too easy.

All the slow cooker has going for it is the ability to cook foods to mush.

Don’t get me wrong, I use the slow cooker to make cranberry butter, creme brulee, and bread pudding. These foods benefit from a low and slow cooking environment. They’re one notch above ‘mush,’ in a good way.

Ways to use up apples: slow cooker apple butter. So easy!

But, apple butter is supposed to be mushy, because it’s apples cooked beyond their breaking point, stirred with sugar and spices. It’s begging to be made in the slow cooker, so, grab a 3-pound bag and get to work!

This is a small batch apple butter recipe that makes 2 pints, or 4 half pints. It’s just enough apple butter to enjoy (and not get sick of), plus a jar for a friend.

Easy crockpot apple butter recipe

I’ve been stirring it into Camille’s yogurt and topping my bagel with it, too.

Substitutions for this apple butter recipe:

I made it with half honey, and I love it that way, but I wanted to let you know I’ve made all-honey versions (for Camille, of course) and all-sugar versions, too. I try to keep Camille’s sugar consumption on the natural side of things. I’ll keep doing this as long as I can, but she has enjoyed a few bites of my all-sugar version a time or two.

I should also mention this is a good place to sub apple pie spice (or even pumpkin pie spice!) if you have it. Any and all warm spices are welcome here.

Don’t miss my recipe for a small apple butter cake that is made in a bread loaf pan. This slow cooker apple butter recipe is very welcome in that cake!

Homemade apple butter recipe, made easy in the crockpot!

I hope you enjoy the how-to video for this recipe, and let me know if you have any questions. If you’re viewing on mobile, the video is at the top of the post; if you’re viewing on Desktop, it’s to the right of the page.

Yield: 2 pints

Slow Cooker Apple Butter (small-batch!)

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 7 hours
Total Time 7 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds of your favorite apples
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice (optional)*

Instructions

  1. Peel, core and roughly chop the apples.
  2. In the bottom of a slow cooker with a capacity of at least 2 quarts, stir together the honey, sugar, and spices.
  3. Add the apples, and stir to coat.
  4. Cook on LOW for 6-7 hours. Remove the lid, and stir until the apple fall apart. Continue cooking with the lid off for 30-60 minutes, until the apple butter thickens slightly.
  5. Store covered in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.

Notes

*Feel free to substitute 1 1/2 teaspoons of apple pie spice for all of the spices called for in the recipe.

Nutrition Information:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 8 Sodium: 2mg Carbohydrates: 2g

 

 

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Comments

    • I've been making crock pot apple butter for years~ I seal the jars and keep them in an extra refrigerator --sometimes for over a year. I think with care ( and maybe plastic storage containers,?) you could also freeze it with no problems.
      Reply

        • No. But I do seal with a *boiled* flat lid. And I seal when the apple butter is very hot, and then I also store on an extra refrigerator after cooling/sealing on the counter. In addition, I use very little sugar ( 1/8 to 1/4 cup). I like very tart apple butter and I think the apples usually are sweet enough themselves!
          Reply

          • Does it have to be refrigerated once sealed. I have some that I keep on my pantry. Never had a problem. Just want to make sure of the reasoning behind refrigeration. My recipe is similar. I use Brown sugar. No honey.

          • So do you only use 1/8-1/4 of sugar or no other sweetener? I’d prefer a more tart apple butter. Honestly, I may substitute sugar with brown sugar or honey.

  3. Glad to have found your site. Have lots of extra apples to use this year & was thrilled to have found a way to make apple butter in a crock pot. This is an easy recipe & was nice someone else ask about canning it. But with it cooked & canned in bottles it should be good for putting on a shelf I would think. I do everything pretty much open kettle & so long as your bottles are clean I can the old fashion way which works for me except of course things that have to be pressure cooked. Thank you so much for this post!!
    Reply

  4. This recipe looks amazing, love this time of year. On a side note, I also love your apron, may I ask where you got it? Thanks!
    Reply

  7. I've never made my own apple butter before, but I really must learn to do it. Thanks for sharing the recipe. I laughed at your slow cooker needing to be less slutty!!
    Reply

  9. This mystery woman cooks great recipes. She never photographs above her shoulders so her identity remains a mystery until this day. I am reluctant to tell her that when she gets her own televised cooking show, they may have difficulty keeping her identity a secret. But for now, no one knows her name. LOL
    Reply

  10. It would be awesome if you could make cookie butter for two. I have never had it and really want to try it! Is it good? Since I want a small batch and you’re recipes have NEVER failed me, I thought I might suggest this. I didn’t know if you took suggestions or anything like that so sorry if you don’t and I did. Thank you for providing your amazing recipes with all your peeps (anyone really but peeps sounds cooler to me. ????)
    Reply

  15. Happy to have discovered your site! I’d love to make this recipe for neighborhood gifts. Can it be doubled? Thanks!
    Reply

  16. I love apple butter so I thought it was about time I made it myself. I followed your recipe and it is delicious. So glad I finally made it at home. Sometimes I plan on making things but it just takes me forever to get around to it. Now that I've made it once I'll keep making it again sometime in the near future.
    Reply

  21. I am in the middle of making this recipe and am stuck. Is it 3# apples before coring and peeling? I weighed mine after and am afraid I don't have enough spices in it. Help!
    Reply

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