Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman Crock Pot Apple Butter is a smooth and spiced recipe, which is made with fresh apples and ground cinnamon. It’s a classic, foolproof recipe, ready in about 8 to 10 hours.
Pioneer Woman Crock Pot Apple Butter Ingredients
- 5 lbs. apples, any variety (I use gala)
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
- 2 dashes salt
How To Make Pioneer Woman Crock Pot Apple Butter
- Prep the Apples: Peel, core, and slice the apples.
- Combine in Slow Cooker: Add the sliced apples to the slow cooker. Sprinkle the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt over the top and stir to combine.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 5 hours or on LOW for 8-10 hours, until the apples are very soft and dark in color.
- Blend Until Smooth: Carefully transfer the cooked apple mixture and any liquid to a blender. Cover with the lid and a towel (to prevent burns) and blend until very smooth. Alternatively, use an immersion blender directly in the slow cooker crock.
Recipe Tips
- What are the best apples for apple butter? Any apple will work, which makes this a great recipe for using up an abundance of one type. However, for the most complex flavor, a mix of sweet apples (like Gala or Fuji) and tart apples (like Granny Smith or McIntosh) is fantastic.
- How do I know when the apple butter is done? After blending, it should be thick, dark brown, and smooth. A classic test is to put a small spoonful onto a cold plate; if a watery ring doesn’t form around the edge, it’s thick enough.
- Can I cook it with the lid off to make it thicker? Yes. If after blending your apple butter is thinner than you’d like, you can return it to the slow cooker, set the lid ajar to allow steam to escape, and cook on LOW for another 1-2 hours until it has reduced and thickened.
- Can I use apple pie spice? Absolutely. If you have apple pie spice on hand, you can substitute it for the individual spices. Use 1 tablespoon plus one teaspoon of the apple pie spice blend.
What To Serve With Crock Pot Apple Butter
This rich, spiced fruit butter is a versatile fall staple. It’s delicious spread on:
- Warm biscuits or toast
- English muffins or scones
- As a topping for pork chops or a pork roast
- Swirled into oatmeal or plain yogurt
- As a topping for vanilla ice cream
How To Store Crock Pot Apple Butter
- Refrigerate: Store the cooled apple butter in airtight jars or containers in the refrigerator. It will keep for several weeks.
- Freeze: Allow the apple butter to cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers, leaving a little headspace. It can be frozen for up to a year.
- Canning: This is also a great recipe for canning and preserving. Follow proper water bath canning procedures for long-term pantry storage.
Crock Pot Apple Butter Nutrition Facts
- Serving: 1 Tablespoon
- Calories: 136kcal (This seems high for 1 Tbsp, likely for a larger serving)
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 1g
- Sugar: 30g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Do I have to peel the apples?
For the smoothest, most traditional texture, peeling is highly recommended. If you prefer a more rustic apple butter and don’t mind a slightly coarser texture, you can leave the peels on.
s this the same as applesauce?
No. While they start with similar ingredients, apple butter is cooked much, much longer. This extended cooking time caramelizes the natural sugars in the apples, resulting in a much darker color, thicker consistency, and a deeper, more concentrated flavor than applesauce.
Can I make this on the stovetop?
Yes, but it requires much more active attention. You would need to cook the ingredients in a large, heavy-bottomed Dutch oven over very low heat for several hours, stirring frequently to prevent the bottom from scorching.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Crock Pot Chili Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Crock Pot Pulled Pork Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Pinto Beans Instant Pot Recipe
Pioneer Woman Crock Pot Apple Butter Recipe
Description
An easy, u0022fix it and forget itu0022 slow cooker recipe that turns fresh apples into a rich, dark, and perfectly spiced fruit butter.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Peel, core, and slice the apples.
- Place the apples in a slow cooker. Add the brown sugar and all the spices. Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours (or HIGH for 5 hours), until the apples are very soft.
- Use an immersion blender to puree the mixture directly in the slow cooker until smooth. (Or carefully transfer to a regular blender).
- If a thicker butter is desired, cook with the lid ajar on LOW for 1-2 more hours.
Notes
- u003cliu003eThe most important tip for this recipe is patience; the long, slow cooking time is what develops the deep, rich flavor and color.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThere is no need to add any extra liquid to the slow cooker; the apples will release plenty of their own juice as they cook down.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eFor the smoothest texture, peeling the apples is highly recommended before you start.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eBe very careful if using a traditional blender to puree the hot apple mixture; work in batches and cover the lid with a towel to prevent burns.u003c/liu003e
