Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Butter Recipe

Introduction

Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Butter is a cozy, flavorful spread made with a blend of green and red apples, warm spices, and rich caramel. It’s perfect for breakfast, snacks, or adding a sweet touch to savory dishes. This easy slow cooker recipe lets the flavors meld while you go about your day.

Ingredients

• 4 lbs. apples (a mix of Fuji and Granny Smith)
• 1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp. ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp. ground cloves
• 2 dashes salt
• 1 cup caramel (such as Ghirardelli), to add after cooking

Instructions

1. Step 1: Slice, core, and peel the apples, cutting them into ½-inch slices.
2. Step 2: Add the sliced apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt to the slow cooker. Stir to coat evenly.
3. Step 3: Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 8 hours, until the apples are soft.
4. Step 4: Blend the cooked apples until smooth using an immersion blender right in the slow cooker or transfer to a blender in batches.
5. Step 5: Stir in the caramel sauce, taste, and add more if desired for sweetness and richness.
6. Step 6: For thicker apple butter, simmer on LOW with the lid off for about 1 hour.
7. Step 7: Spoon the apple butter into jars and seal with lids.

Tips & Variations

• Use a mix of tart and sweet apples like Granny Smith and Fuji or Gala for balanced flavor.
• You can substitute homemade or store-bought caramel sauce if you prefer.
• If you want a spicier apple butter, add a pinch of ground ginger or allspice.
• Serve caramel apple butter warmed or chilled over pancakes, toast, ice cream, or as a glaze for meats.

Storage

Store leftover apple butter in sterilized jars in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, freeze in jars leaving about an inch of headspace to allow for expansion. Reheat gently before serving if desired.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I substitute the caramel?

Absolutely! Homemade or any store-bought caramel sauce works well in this recipe if you don’t have Ghirardelli caramel on hand.

What are the best apples to use for this recipe?

A combination of tart Granny Smith and sweeter apples like Fuji or Gala provides the perfect balance of tartness and sweetness in the apple butter.

Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Butter Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 111 reviews

• Author: Matteo
• Total Time: 8 hours 25 minutes
• Yield: About 20 servings (approximately 1 tablespoon per serving) 1x

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Description

Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Butter is a luxurious blend of tart green and sweet red apples, infused with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove, and enriched with a drizzle of rich Ghirardelli caramel. This smooth, flavorful apple butter is perfect for spreading on toast, swirling into yogurt, topping ice cream, or even adding a sweet twist to savory dishes.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Apples

• 4 lbs. apples (a mixture of Fuji and Granny Smith recommended), sliced, peeled, and cored

Seasonings

• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 dashes salt

Caramel

• 1 cup caramel (Ghirardelli recommended), to add after blending

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Instructions

1. Prepare Apples: Slice, core, and peel the apples into ½-inch slices to ensure even cooking and blending.
2. Combine Ingredients: Add the sliced apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt into the slow cooker and stir well to coat the apples evenly with the spices.
3. Cook Apples: Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 8 hours, allowing the apples and spices to meld and soften thoroughly.
4. Blend the Mixture: Once the cooking is complete, use an immersion blender directly in the slow cooker to puree the apples until smooth. Alternatively, transfer the mixture to a blender and puree until creamy.
5. Add Caramel: Stir in the caramel sauce thoroughly into the blended apple butter. Taste and add more caramel if a sweeter, richer flavor is desired.
6. Thicken (Optional): For a thicker consistency, simmer the apple butter on LOW in the slow cooker without the lid for approximately 1 hour, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
7. Store and Serve: Spoon the caramel apple butter into sterilized jars, seal, and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks or freeze, leaving an inch of room for expansion. Enjoy as a spread or topping as desired.

Notes

• Use a mix of tart Granny Smith and sweet Fuji or Gala apples for a balanced flavor.
• Store leftover apple butter in sterilized jars in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for longer storage.
• Homemade or other store-bought caramel sauces can be substituted for Ghirardelli caramel.
• This recipe is not formulated for canning due to acidity levels; freezing is recommended for long-term preservation.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours
• Category: Spread / Condiment
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: caramel apple butter, slow cooker apple butter, apple spread, fall recipes, slow cooker desserts, cinnamon apple butter