Crockpot Apple Butter

This recipe is heaven sent! SO YUMMY, and Super Easy! Makes a great home made gift for the holidays as well!

Crock pot Apple Butter

1 LARGE crock pot
11 lbs of Apples. (peeled/cored and sliced thin; I like to use a variety of differing kinds of apples for a rounded flavor, use your favorites!)
4 Cups of Sugar
4 tsp Ground Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Ground Cloves
1/2 tsp Salt
1 Tbsp Lemon Juice (fresh is always best)
1/2 tsp Ground Nutmeg (freshly grated is best, but preground is fine.)

(side note- this recipe is one I have adjusted it to my liking. It uses 1/2 the amount of sugar that most other Apple Butter recipes call for, I just don't find it necessary. If you like it sweeter, add more sugar as it cooks.)


As you peel/core and chop all 11 lbs of Apples, drizzle the lemon juice over them and toss. This will help keep the apples from "turning brown". I like the flavor it brings to the Apple Butter as well. Don't worry, you won't taste LEMON in your finished product.

In LARGE Crock pot set to HIGH, place all the apples, sugar, cinnamon, cloves, salt, and nutmeg. Stir. Place lid on and walk away.

(If all the apples do not fit in at first, place lid on full crock and let cook for 15 minutes or so, then stir and add the rest.)

After 1 hour give another stir. Replace lid and walk away.
After another hour, stir and turn to low. Replace lid and walk away.
Keep stirring each half hour to hour while cooking on low for a few hours.
Once apples start to "mash" as you stir them and look more like apple sauce switch to a wire whisk to stir with and stir vigorously!
Again, keep whisking every 30mins to an hour until the apples are "applesauce like" and a brown color. Then remove lid and cook on high for one hour, and yes, Stir/Whisk every 15 minutes or so. This will help to thicken the Apple Butter and get it to the consistency you desire.

The key to this recipe is slicing the apples thinly. The thinner you slice them the quicker they will cook down, and the smoother consistency you will achieve with minimal effort. If desired you can wait for the mixture to cool completely and run through a blender or food processor. I have never found it necessary though.

Let mixture cool slightly and place in glass jars and place in refrigerator or place in freezer containers and freeze.

Again, this makes an Excellent home made gift or hostess gift around the Holidays! You will be amazed how quickly it goes and how many want the recipe!

Another added bonus, you entire house will smell divine!!!