Yes you can buy apple butter off the shelf.
But will your house smell like a cinnamon orchard?
Nope.
Will it taste as good as the homemade version?
Nope.
And if you follow my recipe, you will be able to eliminate the sugar for a decadent sinful treat.
The secret ingredient is this.
I try to cut back on sugar whenever I can, especially this time of year when all the baked goodies start to make an appearance.
Not only is this recipe delicious, it is also super easy to make.
All you need is a few spices, apples, sugar substitute, and a slow cooker.
Slow Cooker Apple Butter
Yield: 5 cups
Ingredients
- 5 pounds mixed apples, peeled and cored (such as Gala, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Golden Delicious)
- 3 cups granulated sugar, divided {I substituted Swerve granular sugar for a sugar free apple butter}
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
- Step 1
- Cut apples into 1-inch cubes; place apple cubes and 1 ½ cups of the sugar in a 6-quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH 6 hours.
- Step 2
- Stir in cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and remaining 1 ½ cups sugar. Cover; cook on LOW until apples are very soft, 4 hours.
- Step 3
- Place half of apple mixture in a blender. Secure lid on blender, and remove center piece to allow steam to escape. Place a clean towel over opening. Pulse until smooth or to desired texture; repeat with remaining apple mixture. Cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 1 month.
I hope you enjoy this apple butter recipe!
If you put any extras in these jars and tie off with a ribbon, it makes a super cute Fall gift for a friend or neighbor.
Additionally, you can serve this as chunky hearty applesauce if you'd like to keep some separated before putting in the blender!