No Peel Apple Butter

This apple butter is one of our favorite fall recipes. It’s a no-peel recipe that you can prep and cook in the slow cooker in just a few minutes. We used Granny Smith apples, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and sugar.

Leave your peeler in the drawer; this is a no-peel recipe. Just chop, toss in the slow cooker, and let it handle the rest. If you love sweet apple recipes, you have to try out our cheesecake-stuffed apples. Or, for a savory option, try our apple pork loin, which We make in the slow cooker.

This Apple Butter Recipe Is…

• This is a homemade apple butter recipe for your slow cooker. The cooked apples break down perfectly, and you won’t notice the apple peel.
• Easy peasy slow cooker recipe that will make your home smell. That is the best part, besides eating it.
• It’s a great way to use up extra apples you have on hand. It also makes a great gift to place in jars and add some ribbon for loved ones this apple season.
• There is no need to peel the apples, so the prep is minimal.
• Great for a dessert breakfast condiment, and more. Full of rich fall flavors in each bite.
• Warm spices infuse this recipe, which is excellent for English muffins, morning toast, bagels, etc.
• Create the consistency by how much you blend up the mixture. Then, use it to spread your usual foods.

Apples – So we used Granny Smith apples, but you are more than welcome to reach for honey crisp apples, gala, or any other type of baking apples.

Granulated Sugar and Brown Sugar— We find the blend of both sugars best for flavoring the apple butter. It offers more dimension in flavor.

Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and Ground Cloves— These three spices will give the apples such richness. They will also make your home smell as the crockpot apple butter cooks.

Tools

• Slow Cooker
• Immersion Blender
• Cutting Board
• Knife
• Crockpot Liner (optional)
• Glass Jars – we used mason jars

How to Make

The printable recipe card at the bottom of the post contains full steps and measurements for making apple butter. This is a quick walkthrough.

Step One: Start by prepping your apples. We diced ours into one-inch cubes. Place the apples in a lined crock pot.

Step Two: Next, add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and the three spices to a medium bowl. Mix to combine the ingredients.

Step Three: Next, you will pour the sugar mixture over the apples. Stir to combine.

Step Four: Place the lid on your crock pot and cook on high for 5 hours or low for 10 hours. Stir a few times as it cooks to incorporate the ingredients.

Step Five: Uncover at hour 5, and then use your immersion blender to mix up the apple butter until creamy.

Step Six: Then cook another 2 hours on low with the lid off. Serve or store in containers in the fridge.

Variations and Tips For Success

• Any fresh apples will work; reach for the baking kind of apples so they will break down well as they cook—Gala, Golden, Honey Crisp, Green Apples, Pink Lady, etc.
• Add a little maple syrup to taste at the end of cooking to sweeten up the apples.
• You can do all white sugar and just use white sugar instead of brown sugar.
• If you would like, you can use canning jars and a water bath canner to create shelf-life-stable apple butter.
• At hour 5, the apple butter will be a deep brown color. That is normal, so don’t panic. Just use the immersion blender to blend it into a creamy texture, which is a spread.

Ways To Eat Apple Butter

Apple butter is versatile. You can spread it on an English muffin, toast, or bagels, or even pair it with pork chops. Traditional apple butter is also used in some desserts. Try these apple butter cookies they are so.

Storing

Refrigerat e—You can store your apple butter in a sealed mason jar or container in the fridge for up to a month.

Freezing— You can freeze apple butter in a freezer bag or airtight container for up to 6 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before you plan to eat it.

Canning – If you want you can can your apple butter. Place in sterile hot jars that you wipe off the rim. Leave an inch headspace in the jars. With a water bath canner you will can for 10 minutes for half pints or 15 minutes for pint jars. Now this varies depending on the altitude and humidity where you live. Make sure the canning lid seals on the jars within 24 hours.

Common Asked Questions

Can we use other fruit for this recipe besides apples?

Pears, apricots, or even peaches would be great substitutes for apples. You can also use a mix of apples and pears for this recipe. Feel free to try out different flavors.

Does apple butter need to be refrigerated?

It does need to be refrigerated. Otherwise it will spoil if left out at room temperature. We love storing it in a mason jar with a sealed lid.

Does apple butter go bad?

Yes, apple butter will go bad. Just like any food it will go bad after awhile. We find that it can store for up to a month in the fridge.

Have you tried the recipe? If so, please leave a star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the recipe card below or drop a comment. Also stay in touch with us through social media by following us on Facebook Pinterest or our Facebook Group

Ingredients

Makes 4 pint jars

• 6 1/2 pounds apples, I used Granny Smith
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 tablesoon cinnamon

Equipment

• Immersion Blender
• Crock Pot

Method

1. Dice up the apples in 1 inch cubes. Discard the core of the apples. You do not need to peel the apples.
2. Place a liner in your crock pot if you would like. Then add in your diced apples.
3. In a medium bowl add in the brown sugar, and granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. Stir well to combine.
4. Pour over the apples and mix to combine.
5. Place the lid on the crock pot and cook on low for 10 hours or high for 5 hours. Stir a couple of time between the heat cycles.
6. Remove the lid and use your immersion blender to puree the apple mixture.
7. Leave the lid off and cook for 2 more hours on low. Stir a few times during the cook time.
8. Once done you will place in jars and refrigerate, or place in airtight containers. The apple butter can last for up to a month in the fridge.

Kitchen notes

Blender

– If you don’t have an immersion blender you can use a regular blender or food processor. Just mix to combine to create a creamy texture then pour back into the crockpot. Sugar – You can use all granulated sugar instead of both types if you want. Apples – Use one variety of apple or do a mix of apples if you would prefer to elevate the flavor. Store – Store apples in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 1 month. Or freeze for up to 6 months.