🍎 Homemade Apple Butter | Slow Living Fall Recipe for Cozy Autumn Days

Welcome to my cozy fall kitchen! Today, we’re making homemade apple butter: a rich, silky spread that tastes like autumn in a jar. This easy slow cooker apple butter recipe is made with fresh apples, warm spices, and a touch of maple syrup. Perfect for toast, biscuits, pancakes, or gifting, this recipe will fill your home with the comforting scent of fall.

Whether you’re living the slow life, enjoying a quiet weekend, or prepping for the holidays, this apple butter recipe is simple, nostalgic, and absolutely delicious. 🍂✨

🥣 Ingredients
6 lbs (about 12 medium) apples: a mix of sweet and tart (e.g. Fuji, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith)
1 cup brown sugar (adjust to taste)
½ cup maple syrup or honey
2 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground cloves
½ tsp nutmeg
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Juice of 1 lemon

🔥 Instructions

Step 1: Prep the apples
Peel, core, and slice the apples into small chunks. Add them to your slow cooker or a heavy-bottomed pot.

Step 2: Add the flavor
Stir in brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. Add lemon juice to balance the sweetness.

Step 3: Cook low and slow
Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally, until the apples are deep brown and caramelized.

Step 4: Blend until smooth
Use an immersion blender (or transfer to a blender carefully) and puree until silky smooth.

Step 5: Thicken and finish
Continue cooking uncovered for 1–2 hours to reach your desired thickness. Stir in vanilla extract at the end.

Step 6: Store and enjoy
Spoon into sterilized jars and store in the fridge up to 3 weeks, or freeze for up to 6 months.

🍁 Serving Ideas

Spread on warm toast or biscuits
Swirl into oatmeal or yogurt
Pair with cheese and crackers
Give as a homemade fall gift

🌿 Tips for the Perfect Apple Butter

Mixing apple varieties gives a balanced flavor.
The longer you cook it, the richer and darker it becomes.
Add a splash of apple cider for extra depth.