Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Butter Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 143 reviews
  • Author: Naomi
  • Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 16 servings 1x

Description

This Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Butter is a rich and flavorful spread made from tender apples slow-cooked with warm spices and sweet caramel bits. Perfect for spreading on toast, muffins, or using as a delightful dessert topping, this recipe combines the comforting taste of cinnamon and cloves with smooth vanilla and caramel for a decadent twist.

Ingredients

Scale

Apples

  • 3 pounds apples, peeled, cored, and finely chopped

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Add-ins

  • ½ cup caramel bits

Instructions

  1. Cook the apples: Place the peeled, cored, and finely chopped apples in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Cook them until they start to break down, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes to soften and release their juices.
  2. Add dry ingredients and transfer: Stir in the granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, salt, and vanilla extract with the cooked apples. Mix well, then transfer the entire mixture into a slow cooker.
  3. Slow cook the mixture: Cook the apple mixture on the low setting of your slow cooker for 8 to 10 hours to develop deep flavors and achieve a thick, buttery texture.
  4. Incorporate caramel bits: During the last hour of cooking, stir in the caramel bits. Leave the slow cooker lid off during this final hour to allow the mixture to thicken further and the caramel to blend smoothly.
  5. Cool and optionally blend: Once cooked, allow the apple butter to cool completely, then refrigerate to chill. You can enjoy the apple butter as is, or for a smoother consistency, blend it until creamy before serving or storing.

Notes

  • Use a mix of sweet and tart apples, such as Fuji, Gala, or Granny Smith, for balanced flavor.
  • Leaving the slow cooker lid off during the last hour helps thicken the apple butter by evaporating excess moisture.
  • You can store this apple butter in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze for longer preservation.
  • For a smoother texture, blending after cooling is recommended but optional based on preference.
  • If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the sugar amount by up to ½ cup.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 hours 0 minutes
  • Category: Spread
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: apple butter, slow cooker apple butter, caramel apple butter, apple spread, fall recipe, slow cooker spread

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

Find it online: https://naomifletcher.com/slow-cooker-caramel-apple-butter-recipe/