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Apple butter is very similar to apple sauce but even better. The apples are cooked longer, which brings out more sweetness. Then it’s spiced with warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and a touch of vanilla. It’s rich, sweet, silky smooth, and perfect for the fall season. Clean eating friendly.

ALL ABOUT THIS MAPLE CINNAMON APPLE BUTTER:

In addition to its silky smooth sweetness, I also love this recipe because it is:

Easy: Chop some apples (no need to even peel them!) and throw them into a slow cooker with the rest of the ingredients. Blend until silky smooth. Easy peasy!
Healthy: Loaded with fiber and antioxidants! Definitely a healthy treat.
Smells AMAZING: Your house will be smelling better than a fall candle, and the best part is, it’s all-natural!
Adaptable: You can leave out the maple syrup to reduce the sugar content, you can leave out any of the spices or add some. Or, you can increase the amount of cinnamon, as I do! Adapt to your preferences.
Recipe Enhancer: A bit of apple butter can bring great flavor to many recipes! Not only is it delicious on toast, but it’s also great added into recipes! Try adding some into your favorite smoothie, chili, on grilled cheese, in desserts, drizzled over yogurt, or just eat it by itself, like me. I totally do that!
Long-Lasting & Freezer Friendly: I like to store half of my apple butter in the fridge (for up to one month) and freeze it for months! I store mine in these glass mason jars.
Enjoyed by everyone! It’s so delicious, even the kids will love it!

WHAT YOU WILL YOU NEED:

Apples: Crisp and sweet, my favorite is honeycrisp, but I used a mix of those and granny smith. Freshly picked! No need to peel them as long as you have a high-speed blender. Apples are high in pectin, a fiber that is incredible for the gut. Apples also contain powerful antioxidants.
Apple Cider: Adds more sweetness and doesn’t water down as water would. You could leave it out and that will reduce the thickening time in the end.
Pure Maple Syrup: The real stuff. Pure maple syrup from real maple trees. Full of minerals. If you need to reduce the sugar, you can leave it out. Just choose sweeter apples and slow cook for a long time to bring out more of the apple’s natural sweetness.
Vanilla Extract: I love pure Madagascar vanilla extract from Simply Organic.
Cinnamon: I prefer to use ground cinnamon, but you could use one or two cinnamon sticks instead.
Nutmeg: Feel free to grate fresh nutmeg if you have it. I didn’t, so I used ground nutmeg instead.
Cloves: Just a pinch of ground cloves for more warmth and fall-like flavors.
Sea Salt: A pinch of sea salt brings out the sweet flavors.

Spices like the ones used in this recipe are loaded with antioxidants and healing properties. I try to add spices to almost every meal to enhance health.

NEED GROCERY DELIVERY?

Consider Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods Market for fresh dairy and produce, Thrive Market for pantry essentials, and ButcherBox for high-quality organic and pasture-raised meat selections.

TIPS FOR THIS RECIPE:

How long will apple butter keep?

You can store apple butter in glass mason jars in the refrigerator for up to one month or in the freezer for months!

To peel or not to peel the apples?

As long as you have a high-speed blender, there’s no need to spend the time peeling the apples. Plus, the peels add extra nutrients and fiber! It’s up to you though, it’ll be delicious either way.

Don’t have apple cider?

Simply omit the liquid and it will reduce the thickening time in the end. You could use water, but the flavor won’t be as concentrated.

Want to leave out the maple?

If you want to leave out the maple syrup it will still be delicious, just not as sweet. Choosing sweeter apples like honeycrisp and fuji will make up for it. Cooking the apples longer will help to bring out more of their natural sweetness.

MY FAVORITE KITCHEN TOOLS FOR THIS RECIPE:

Chef’s Knife: This Victorinox Pro Chef’s Knife is THE BEST and sharpest Chef’s Knife under $50 I have found. I love mine and use it every single day.
Cutting Board: A Bamboo Cutting Board is a great kitchen tool for every single meal.
Slow Cooker: Here’s a great crockpot (the one I have) with a locking lid.
Vitamix Blender: I’ve had my Vitamix blender for over 5 years and I use it all the time.
Glass Jars: These are great glass mason jars that store this apple butter well in the fridge or the freezer.

MORE RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE:

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Slow Cooker Maple Cinnamon Apple Butter

Author: purelyflourish
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
Yield: 6 cups 1x
Category: Condiment
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American

Description

Scale

Ingredients

10 large apples, I used granny smith and honeycrisp, cored and diced (see notes)
1/2 cup apple cider
1/4 cup pure maple syrup + more per taste
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Pinch of ground cloves
Pinch of sea salt

Instructions

SLOW-COOKER:

In the bowl of your slow cooker add in the diced apples, apple cider, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and a pinch of sea salt. Cover with the lid and slow cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, stirring once halfway through.
Let cool slightly, then transfer the apples and the liquids to a high-speed blender and puree on high for 1-2 minutes until smooth. Return to the slow cooker and cook uncovered on high for about an hour to thicken a bit. (It will thicken even more in the fridge.) Taste, then feel free to adjust the sweetness per your preference by adding more maple syrup. Cool completely and store in glass jars in the fridge for up to 1 month or in the freezer for months. Enjoy!

STOVE-TOP:

In a large pot over high heat, add in all of the ingredients plus 1 cup of additional liquid such as water or apple cider. Bring to a boil then reduce to medium-low heat for 30-40 minutes until the apples are completely soft and the liquid has reduced by half, adding more water if necessary.
Remove from the heat and let cool slightly, then transfer the apples and the liquids to a high-speed blender and puree on high for 1-2 minutes until smooth. Return to the pot and cook uncovered on medium heat for 15-20 minutes to thicken. (It will thicken even more in the fridge.) Taste, then feel free to adjust the sweetness per your preference by adding more maple syrup. Cool completely and store in glass jars in the fridge for up to 1 month or in the freezer for months. Enjoy!

Notes

To peel or not to peel the apples: As long as you have a high-speed blender, there’s no need to spend the time peeling the apples. Plus, the peels add extra nutrients and fiber! It’s up to you though, it’ll be delicious either way.

Don’t have apple cider? Simply omit the liquid and it will reduce the thickening time in the end. You could use water, but the flavor won’t be as concentrated.

Want to leave out the maple? If you want to leave out the maple syrup it will still be delicious, just not as sweet. Choosing sweeter apples like honeycrisp and fuji will make up for it. Cooking the apples longer will help to bring out more of their natural sweetness.

Keywords: apple butter, apples, maple, cinnamon, slow cooker, condiments

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Slow Cooker Maple Cinnamon Apple Butter