Slow cooker apple butter in a glass bowl.

Slow Cooker Apple Butter (Sugar-Free)

Recipes, Breakfast, Fall, Gluten-Free, vegan This post may contain affiliate links. We may receive a commission if you make purchases using these links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. It's at no extra cost to you; it helps us keep the lights on. #comissionsearned.
0.0 from 0 votes

Slow cooker apple butter is very easy to make and incredibly delicious. Simply place the ingredients for the slow cooker apple butter in the slow cooker and walk away. When the slow cooker apple butter is finished, your whole house will smell like warm cinnamon and apples. 

What Is Apple Butter

The name apple butter is very misleading, especially if you’ve never tried it. Sorry butter lovers, but there is no butter in this recipe. It’s 100% vegan.

Apple butter is a highly concentrated, smooth, yet thick sauce. It’s almost as thick as jam when it cools completely. 

Apple butter has a caramelized color and intense apple flavor because it’s been cooked for a long time. 

What’s The Difference Between Apple Butter And Applesauce 

Applesauce has a runnier consistency than apple butter. Additionally, apple butter’s texture is smoother than apple sauce.   

In contrast, apple butter has a darker color. It also contains nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon. Apple sauce is also used like jam. It is spread onto toast or used in muffins

How Healthy Is Slow Cooker Apple Butter

Usually, apple butter is made with sugar which is not very healthy. However, this apple butter is made with sugar-free sweetener, making it much healthier. Each serving of this apple butter has 32 calories. 

Slow cooker apple butter in a glass bowl.

How Can I Thicken Apple Butter

Some apples contain more moisture than others, so your apple butter may have a looser texture. Luckily you can thicken your apple butter. 

Once you blend the apple butter into a smooth puree, place it back into the slow cooker. 

Do not cover the crockpot. Turn your slow cooker to high and cook the apple butter for another 45-60 minutes, frequently stirring until it thickens. The apple butter continues to thicken as it cools. 

You can also thicken apple butter by using a cornstarch slurry. Once it’s blended, place the apple butter back into the crockpot. 

Combine 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of water in a small bowl until combined. Stir the cornstarch slurry into the apple butter and cook it on high for 10 minutes until it thickens. 

Why Isn’t My Apple Butter Thickening Up

As I mentioned above, apple butter thickens as it cools down. You may need to let the apple cool down to see if it thickens. If it does not thicken up, you can try one of the abovementioned techniques. 

Can I Can Apple Butter

You cannot can this slow cooker apple butter. If you want to can your apple butter, you must find a canning recipe. 

If you try to can this apple butter recipe, you could end up with food poisoning, or it may spoil within a few days to a week. So look for a apple butter recipe specifically designed to be canned.

Slow cooker apple butter in a glass bowl.

How To Store Apple Butter

To store the apple butter, divide it between small storage containers or ziplock bags. Place the apple butter into the fridge, and it will last for a week. 

You can also freeze the apple butter. Place the apple butter into freezer-safe containers or ziplock bags.  

If you are storing the apple butter in containers, remember it will expand as it freezes. Leave an inch of space between the lid and apple butter. This will prevent the top from coming off of the container.  

If you are freezing the apple butter in zip-lock bags, place it on a baking sheet before placing it in the freezer. This will prevent the apple butter from getting stuck in the freezer rack’s open spaces. The apple butter will last in the freezer for 1 year.  

What Kind Of Apples Are Best For Apple Butter

Technically you can use any apple to make apple butter. However, softer apples like Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Fuji, or Mcintosh break down faster. Therefore, they are the preferred choice for making apple butter.

Nevertheless, you can use your favorite apples to make apple butter. You can also use a mix of apples. I used gala apples to make this apple butter, and it came out perfectly. 

Can I Use Frozen Apples To Make Apple Butter

Yes, you can use frozen apples to make apple butter. However, frozen apples contain more moisture than fresh apples. So you may have to cook the apple butter a little longer to allow the excess water to evaporate. 

Recommended Recipes:

Gluten-Free Apple Butter Muffins

Gluten-free apple butter muffins on a cooling rack with chai spice mix in a small bowl.

Easy Paleo Pumpkin Cookies

Paleo pumpkin cookies on a cooling rack.

Gluten-Free Maple Crunch Muffins

Maple Crunch Muffins

Slow Cooker Apple Butter 

Recipe by Sarah
0.0 from 0 votes
Course: Breakfast, gluten-free, veganCuisine: Sugar-Free, Gluten-FreeDifficulty: Easy
Servings

45

servings
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

8

hours 
Calories

32

kcal
Total time

8

hours 

15

minutes

Apple butter is rich, smooth, and so delicious. It’s loaded with spices that enhance the apple’s natural flavor. Best of all, it’s made in the slow cooker, so all you have to do is cut the apples up, place them into the slow cooker along with the remaining ingredients and let it cook. 

Cook Mode

Keep the screen of your device on

Ingredients

  • 18 apples (about 1 1/2-2 lbs.), peeled, cored, sliced

  • 1 1 1/2 cup brown sugar-free sweetener

  • 2 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

  • 1/4 teaspoon cardamom

  • 1/4 teaspoon cloves

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons vanilla extract

  • Juice of 1/2 lemon

Directions

  • Place the apples, brown sugar-free sweetener, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, cloves, vanilla extract, and lemon juice into a slow cooker.
  • Cook the apple butter on low for 8 hours or for 4 hours on high until the apples soften.
  • In batches, place the apple butter into a blender and blend until it is smooth.
  • Use the apple butter immediately or store it in the fridge.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @dafoodandmoodgyal on Instagram and hashtag it with

Like this recipe?

Follow @Foodandmoodcreations on Pinterest

Follow Us On Facebook

Follow us on Facebook

Nutrition Facts

45 servings per container


  • Amount Per ServingCalories32
  • % Daily Value *
  • Total Fat 0g 0%
    • Saturated Fat 0g 0%
  • Cholesterol 0mg 0%
  • Sodium 0mg 0%
  • Potassium 80mg 3%
  • Total Carbohydrate 8.9g 3%
    • Dietary Fiber 2.1g 8%
    • Sugars 6.7g
  • Protein 0g 0%

  • Calcium 2%
  • Iron 4%

* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Author

  • Sarah

    Hello. Welcome to my food blog! I am a recipe developer/content writer and creator. Food is universal. Its more than something you eat. Food is an experience that can be enjoyed alone or with others. It can affect your physical health and your mood. I love food and I believe it affects how we feel which is why I started this blog that provides you with delicious healthy recipes, useful tips and tricks, guides, and informative articles.

One Comment

  1. I’ll definitely be trying this !

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.