Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Apple Butter – Easy, Healthy & Delicious!

par
  • 4 lbs (about 8–10 medium) apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
    (Use sweet-tart varieties like Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn)
  • 1 cup apple cider or apple juice
    (Not water — it adds flavor and depth)
  • 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
    (Or more, to taste)
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
    (Enhances warmth and richness)

✅ That’s it — only 4 ingredients!

🍏 Optional add-ins: pinch of nutmeg, cloves, or a splash of lemon juice for brightness.

🍳 Instructions

  1. Prep the apples
    • Peel, core, and chop apples into small chunks (no need to be perfect — they’ll break down).
  2. Add to slow cooker
    • Place apples in the slow cooker.
    • Pour in apple cider, sprinkle cinnamon, and add vanilla.
  3. Cook low and slow
    • Cover and cook on LOW for 8–10 hours (or HIGH for 5–6 hours).
    • Stir once or twice if possible.
  4. Mash or blend
    • After cooking, use a potato masher for a rustic texture
    • Or blend with an immersion blender for ultra-smooth butter
  5. Optional: Thicken further
    • If too watery, uncover and cook 1–2 hours more to reduce
  6. Store or preserve
    • Fridge: Keeps for up to 3 weeks
    • Freezer: Up to 6 months in airtight containers
    • Canning: Process in a water bath for shelf-stable storage (10 min for half-pint jars)

✅ Why This Recipe Works

Only 4 ingredients
Simple, clean, and budget-friendly
No sugar added
Natural sweetness from apples and cider
Hands-off cooking
Set it and forget it — perfect for busy days
Kid-friendly
Great for teaching kids about cooking and healthy ingredients
Versatile
Use as a spread, topping, or ingredient

🍞 Try it on warm sourdough with almond butter — life-changing!

🍎 Best Apples for Apple Butter

Gala
Sweet, softens well
Fuji
Juicy and naturally sweet
Honeycrisp
Balanced sweet-tart flavor
Braeburn
Holds shape, adds depth
Mix varieties
Best flavor and texture

🚫 Avoid Granny Smith if you want no-added-sugar apple butter — they’re too tart on their own.

🍴 Ways to Use Apple Butter

🥣 Oatmeal or yogurt
Swirl in 1–2 tbsp for natural sweetness
🍞 Toast or biscuits
With cream cheese or peanut butter
🥞 Pancakes or waffles
Instead of syrup
🧀 Cheese board
Pairs perfectly with brie, cheddar, or goat cheese
🍗 Glaze for meats
Brush on pork chops or chicken in the last 15 minutes of cooking
🎁 Gift idea
In mason jars with a ribbon and tag

🎃 Add a cinnamon stick to the jar for a festive touch.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Can I use unsweetened applesauce instead of fresh apples?

Yes — substitute 4 cups unsweetened applesauce for the chopped apples. Reduce cooking time to 4–5 hours on LOW.

❓ Can I make it without apple cider?

Yes — use water or regular apple juice. Cider adds richer flavor, but juice works in a pinch.

❓ Is it safe to can apple butter at home?

Yes — as long as you follow safe canning practices (pH level is naturally low enough). Use sterilized jars and process in a boiling water bath.

❓ Can I freeze it?

Absolutely! Freeze in 1-cup portions for easy use in recipes.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need a long list of ingredients to make something unforgettable.

With just 4 simple ingredients and your slow cooker, you can create a homemade apple butter that tastes like fall, love, and comfort — all in one jar.

So next time you see a pile of fresh apples, skip the pie.

Make this easy, no-fuss apple butter instead — and taste the magic of slow-cooked simplicity.

Because the best recipes aren’t complicated.
They’re honest, wholesome, and made with heart.

continued on next page

Laisser un commentaire