This simple slow cooker apple butter is packed with beautiful fall flavors and is safe for water bath canning!
Call me basic but fall is without question my favorite time of year! For one it ushers in a break from the relentless Texas heat and equally important is associated with some truly delicious food. This slow cooker apple butter is the perfect way to capture the fruits of apple season and fall spices to be enjoyed year round!
While you can totally prepare the apples my hand, using an apple peeler really does make this preserve a breeze to make. Just peel and core the apples and throw them into a crockpot with some sugar and spices. Cook until soft, blend and voila! Apple butter! You can store in the fridge or process in a water bath to enjoy for many months.
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What is water bath canning?
Canning is simply the process of applying adequate heat to high acid food that is sealed in jars for the allotted time necessary to kill off bacteria and micro-organisms that cause food spoilage. During heating, oxygen is driven out of the jars, causing a vacuum seal to form when the jars cool down. This prevents any outside micro-organisms and oxygen from getting back into the food. When done correctly, canning preserves food safely for at least a year, although probably much, much longer.
You can check out my guide on How to Safely Water Bath Can at Home more resources on safe home preserving.
Safe canning resources.
If you are new to canning you can find great resources, recipes and tutorials at Ball Canning and the National Center for Home Food Preservation.
You can also check out my guide on How to Water Bath Can at Home.
More preserving recipes you will love.
Equipment
For the Slow Cooker Apple Butter:
While you can peel and core the apples by hand, I very much recommend using an apple peeler to make the process go SO much faster! I love this Johnny Apple Peeler, and when I'm not making apple butter my kids love eating the apple rings.
You will also need a crockpot. I love this All Clad Slow Cooker.
And you will need measuring cups and spoons and something to blend the apple butter with. I use my Belle immersion blender but if you don't have one you can blend in an upright blender.
For water bath canning:
- Mason jars: Make sure the jars are clean and that the lids are brand new. You cannot reuse canning lids.
- Large pot with rack OR Electric Canner: If you only can once in a while using a large pot with a canning rack works just fine. As someone who personally does a lot of canning and I absolutely LOVE my Ball FreshTech Electric Canner.
- Jar lifter: You will need a jar lifter to remove the hot jars from the water bath.
- Funnel: I personally love this canning funnel because it also allows you to measure the headspace easily.
- Ladle: This Prepworks Canning Scoop is my favorite.
Ingredients
- Apples
- Apple juice
- Brown sugar
- White granulated sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- All spice
- Ground ginger
- Cardamom
- Vanilla extract
- Lemon
- Salt
What should I serve apple butter with?
Glad you asked! Apple butter is delicious served with a variety of things!
It fabulous as a classic topping for toast, biscuits and muffins as well as pancakes, waffles and oatmeal. And it's equally delicious on ice cream.
This apple butter is fantastic served with cheese on a charcuterie board and it also pairs beautifully brushed on grilled or roasted meat, especially pork and chicken.
More recipes for you to love.
Made this slow cooker apple butter recipe? Let me know what you think in the comments!
Recipe
Slow Cooker Apple Butter {for canning}
Ingredients
- 5 lb apples
- 1 cup apple juice I recommend organic 100% apple juice or cider
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup white granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground all spice
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp ground cardamom
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 lemon, juice of
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Peel, core and slice the apples then place in a large slow cooker. Add in all remaining ingredients and cook on low heat for 8-10 hours (4-5 hours on high heat) until the apples are soft and fragrant.
- Turn off the heat and blend with an immersion blender until smooth. (If you don't have an immersion blender you can transfer the mixture to an upright blender and blend that way). At this point you can either spoon the apple butter into jars and place them in the fridge or can them using the instructions below.
Water bath canning instructions
- Ladle the apple butter into mason jars leaving about ¼th to ⅓rd inch of headspace.Remove air bubbles and wipe the jar rims.Place on new, clean lids and bands and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes (adjusting time for altitude).Turn off the heat and allow the jars to rest in the warm water for 5 minutes before removing and placing on a towel on the counter (do not place directly on the counter).Allow the jars to cool undisturbed for about 24 hours until all the lids have sealed.Store sealed jars in a cool dry place for 12-18 months for best quality.*Note* If any of the jars do not seal simply store in the refrigerator and consume within 2 weeks.
This is so delicious - especially on Irish Soda Bread!