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Pioneer Woman Crock Pot Apple Butter - recipe card

Pioneer Woman Crock Pot Apple Butter

  • Author: Anabelle Mclean
  • Prep Time: 20
  • Cook Time: 600
  • Total Time: 620
  • Yield: 4 1x
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Slow Cooker
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This slow-cooked apple butter is deeply concentrated with caramelized apple flavor, warm cinnamon, and a velvety, spreadable texture. The crock pot does all the work, transforming fresh apples into a rich, mahogany-colored spread that tastes like autumn in a jar.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 lb mixed apples (such as Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Peel, core, and cut the apples into uniform 1-inch chunks. Uniform pieces ensure even cooking and a consistent texture throughout the finished butter.
  2. Place the apple chunks in the bowl of a 6-quart slow cooker. The apples will mound up high, but they will collapse significantly as they cook and release their juices.
  3. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt until evenly combined with no lumps of brown sugar remaining. This dry blend distributes the spices evenly throughout the apples rather than clumping in one area.
  4. Pour the sugar and spice mixture over the apples in the slow cooker, then drizzle with the fresh lemon juice. The lemon juice brightens the flavor and helps the apples break down during the long, slow cooking process.
  5. Use a large spoon or silicone spatula to toss the apples until every piece is thoroughly coated with the sugar and spice mixture. Do not add any liquid at this stage; the apples will release enough natural moisture as they cook.
  6. Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on LOW heat for 10 hours, stirring once halfway through at the 5-hour mark. You will know the apples are ready when they are completely soft, deeply golden brown, and smell intensely of caramelized apples and warm spice.
  7. After the 10-hour cook time, remove the lid and stir in the vanilla extract. The vanilla adds a round, sweet note that balances the acidity of the apples and the warmth of the spices.
  8. Use an immersion blender directly in the slow cooker to puree the mixture until completely smooth and silky, about 2 to 3 minutes of continuous blending. If you do not have an immersion blender, carefully transfer the mixture in batches to a standard blender, remove the center cap from the lid, and cover with a kitchen towel to vent the steam.
  9. Once the apple butter is silky smooth, leave the slow cooker lid off and continue cooking on LOW heat for an additional 1 to 2 hours, stirring every 20 minutes, until the butter has thickened to a deep, spreadable consistency. You will know it is ready when a spoon dragged across the bottom of the slow cooker leaves a clean trail for 2 to 3 seconds.
  10. Remove the slow cooker insert from the base and let the apple butter cool to room temperature for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to release steam. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
  11. Transfer the cooled apple butter into clean glass jars or an airtight container. For the best flavor, refrigerate for at least 24 hours before serving to allow the spices to mellow and meld.

Notes

Store homemade apple butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. For longer storage, transfer to freezer-safe containers leaving 1/2 inch of headspace and freeze for up to 6 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before use. To reheat or soften from the refrigerator, spoon the desired amount into a small saucepan and warm over low heat, stirring often, until spreadable, about 3 to 5 minutes. For canning, fill sterilized half-pint jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace, and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes; properly sealed jars will keep in a cool, dark pantry for up to 1 year.

Nutrition

  • Calories: 562
  • Sugar: 130g
  • Sodium: 98mg
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 145g
  • Fiber: 8g
  • Protein: 1g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: pioneer woman crock pot apple butter, apple butter recipe, slow cooker apple butter, homemade apple butter, crock pot apple spread, spiced apple butter, fall preserves, apple cinnamon spread, easy apple butter, canned apple butter alternative

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Find it online: https://bellesbestbites.com/pioneer-woman-crock-pot-apple-butter/