Slow Cooker Salted Caramel Apple Butter
Experience the cozy essence of fall with this incredibly easy slow cooker salted caramel apple butter. Made with simple ingredients, it fills your home with a heavenly aroma and delivers a hug in a jar—perfect for gifting or enjoying all year long.
Equipment
- Slow cooker
- Food processor
- Small Skillet
- Lidded Jars
Ingredients
For the Apple Butter
- 3 lbs Gala apples cut into 1-inch pieces, cored and cut evenly
- 1 cup unsweetened apple juice
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- cooking spray for slow cooker
For the Salted Caramel
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon cream
Instructions
- Step 1: Spray the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray for easy cleanup.
- Step 2: Add chopped apples, unsweetened apple juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice to the slow cooker. Stir gently to coat the apples evenly with the spices.
- Step 3: Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 1 hour to quickly soften the apples.
- Step 4: After 1 hour, turn off the slow cooker. Carefully transfer about one-third of the apple mixture to a food processor. Pulse and blend until it's wonderfully smooth, like a thick applesauce.
- Step 5: Repeat the blending process in batches until all the apples are beautifully smooth. Pour all the velvety apple mixture back into the slow cooker.
- Step 6: Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 6–8 hours. This reduction step is crucial for thickening the apple butter and intensifying its flavor. Stir occasionally if desired.
- Step 7: While the apple butter is cooking, prepare the salted caramel. In a small skillet, combine maple syrup, unsalted butter, and packed brown sugar over medium-high heat.
- Step 8: Whisk constantly until the mixture thickens and begins to bubble enthusiastically.
- Step 9: Remove the skillet from heat and quickly whisk in the sea salt and cream. Continue whisking for 1–2 minutes until the caramel is smooth and glossy.
- Step 10: Slowly pour the homemade salted caramel into the apple butter in the slow cooker, stirring gently until perfectly combined.
- Step 11: Let the salted caramel apple butter cool completely. Once cooled, scoop it into lidded jars for storage.
Notes
This recipe is very forgiving; feel free to experiment with different apple varieties or adjust spice levels. For a quicker caramel, use store-bought sauce with added sea salt. Ensure you don't overfill the slow cooker and blend apples in batches for a smooth consistency. The 6-8 hour low-heat cooking is crucial for flavor and thickness. Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks, or freeze for up to 3 months, leaving headspace in jars.