Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Apple Butter: A Simple Homemade Delight
Apple butter is one of those comforting spreads that turns an ordinary slice of toast, biscuit, or pancake into something special. Unlike its name, apple butter doesn’t contain any butter at all—it’s a velvety smooth, deeply spiced apple spread cooked slowly until the fruit’s natural sugars caramelize. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity: just four ingredients and a slow cooker do all the work for you.
Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide to making your own Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Apple Butter at home.
Why Apple Butter?
Apple butter is thicker, darker, and more flavorful than applesauce. The long, slow cooking process transforms fresh apples into a rich spread with hints of warm spice and caramel. It’s perfect for autumn breakfasts, holiday gifts, or even as a topping for roasted meats and cheese boards.
Ingredients You’ll Need
6 pounds fresh apples (a mix of sweet and tart, like Fuji, Gala, and Granny Smith)
2 cups granulated sugar (or adjust to taste; you can substitute brown sugar for a deeper flavor)
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
That’s it—just four ingredients!
A slow cooker (crockpot)
A blender or immersion blender (for smooth texture)
Airtight jars or containers for storing
Step-by-Step Method
Step 1: Prepare the Apples
