1-Gathering and Prepping Ingredients: First, core and chop 5.5 lbs of soft, sweet apples into small pieces about ¼ inch, keeping the peels on to save time and add natural thickness. Place the chopped apples in a large slow cooker for even cooking. In a separate bowl, combine 1 cup brown sugar (firmly packed), ¾ cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves; mix well to blend the flavors.

2-Gathering and Prepping Ingredients: Pour this sugar and spice mixture over the apples and stir everything evenly to coat. This step infuses the apples with warmth and sweetness right from the start.

3-Cooking and Blending: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 10 hours, letting the apples soften and caramelize slowly. After that, use an immersion blender or a standard blender in batches to puree the mixture until it’s completely smooth. Scrape the seeds from 1 vanilla bean into the puree, or stir in 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract for an extra layer of flavor. Continue cooking uncovered on low for another 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your liking. Explore more slow-cooked soup ideas on our site for similar techniques.

4-Cooking and Blending: Once done, let the apple butter cool before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it will keep for about 2 weeks. The total preparation time is about 15 minutes for prep, plus 10 hours for initial cooking and 2 more hours uncovered, making the full process around 12 hours and 15 minutes. This hands-off method is great for busy schedules, like starting it before bed.

5-Cooking and Blending: To make it even easier, always follow safety tips for your slow cooker and stir occasionally to avoid sticking. If you’re using a standard blender, process the apples in batches and return them to the cooker. For a smooth finish, taste and adjust spices as needed it’s that simple!