Nothing says autumn quite like the rich, warm taste of apple butter. This homemade crock pot apple butter is super easy to make and will fill your home with the most delicious aroma as it cooks. It’s the perfect spread for toast, a dreamy topping for pancakes, or even an ingredient in your holiday recipes. Plus, I’ve created a free printable gift tag that you can download and attach to your jars, making this apple butter an ideal homemade gift for friends, family, and holiday hosts.
In this post, I’ll guide you through making apple butter in the crock pot, along with storage tips, creative ways to use it for Thanksgiving and other holiday occasions, and even a few ideas from my own blog. Let’s get started!
Crock Pot Apple Butter Recipe
Ingredients:
6 lbs apples (a mix of sweet and tart apples works best), peeled, cored, and chopped
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
1 tbsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
Place the apples in your crock pot and add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. Stir to coat the apples in the spices and sugar.
Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours, stirring occasionally, until the apples are soft and dark brown.
Puree the mixture using an immersion blender, or by transfering to a blender, until smooth. If using a blender, transfer back to the crockpot. Continue to cook on low for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally, leaving the lid slightly ajar to allow some of the liquid to cook off and the butter to thicken.
Once the apple butter reaches your desired consistency, stir in the vanilla extract.
Let cool and then transfer to clean, sterilized jars.
Storing and Gifting Your Apple Butter
Apple butter can be kept in the fridge for up to a month if not canned. For a longer shelf life, consider canning your apple butter using a water bath method. For detailed canning instructions, please refer to the Ball Canning Website.
To make your homemade apple butter an extra-special gift, I’ve created a free Canva template for a customizable gift tag. This tag can be printed on card stock or adhesive paper and adds a lovely touch for gifting. To access and edit the tag, you’ll need a free Canva account.
Ways to Use Apple Butter for the Holidays
Apple butter is incredibly versatile and can be used in countless ways to add a cozy, fall-inspired flavor to your holiday table. Here are a few favorite ways to enjoy it:
Spread on toast or biscuits for a deliciously spiced breakfast or snack.
Swirled into oatmeal or yogurt for a warm, autumnal flavor.
Glazed on roasted meats like pork or turkey for a sweet, savory contrast.
Baked into holiday desserts like thumbprint cookies or spice cake.
Cocktails and Mocktails: Try a cozy holiday cocktail like my Apple Butter Old Fashioned to warm up your celebrations!
And don’t miss some of my own blog recipes featuring apple butter:
Apple Butter Old Fashioned – A unique cocktail that brings fall flavors to your glass.
Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls – Soft, spiced rolls topped with maple cream cheese frosting, perfect for Thanksgiving morning.
Apple Butter & Pancake Mix Gift Basket – Combine your homemade apple butter with a jar of pancake mix for a thoughtful, homemade hostess gift.
However you choose to use it, apple butter is a perfect addition to your holiday season and makes a wonderful homemade gift.
Enjoy, and happy fall!
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