Kettle Style Apple Butter
This Kettle Style Apple Butter is a rich, spiced spread made from soft-cooked apples and pantry staples. Slow-cooked in a crockpot, it delivers deep flavor reminiscent of traditional copper kettle methods—without the need for constant attention. It’s perfect for spreading on biscuits, pancakes, or giving as a homemade gift.
Equipment
- Spiral apple peeler or knife
- Crockpot or slow cooker
- Immersion blender
- Mason jars (for storage or canning)
Ingredients
- 10 lbs Paula Red apples, peeled and cored
- 3 cups Granulated sugar
- 2 tsp Ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp Ground cloves
Instructions
- Prepare Apples: Peel and core the apples using a spiral peeler or knife. Place the apples into a crockpot, filling it completely.
- Cook Overnight: Set the crockpot to LOW and cook the apples overnight for approximately 8 hours.
- Add Spices: The next morning, stir in 3 cups of sugar, 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon of ground cloves.
- Cook All Day: Continue cooking the mixture on LOW for an additional 8 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Blend Until Smooth: Once the apple butter is cooked down and fragrant, use an immersion blender to blend the mixture until smooth and creamy.
- Cool and Store: Let the apple butter cool slightly. Store in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, freeze for longer storage, or proceed with canning.
Notes
- Apple Variety Tip: Paula Red apples break down beautifully, but you can use any soft, sweet apple variety you prefer.
- Batch Size: This is a flexible method—fill your slow cooker with prepared apples and adjust sugar and spices based on taste and volume.
- Canning Option: If you'd like to preserve the apple butter long-term, follow a water bath canning method. Add hot apple butter to hot sterilized jars, leaving ¼-inch headspace. Process in a boiling water canner for 10 minutes (adjust for altitude).
- Flavor Tip: Apple butter flavor deepens over a few days. For gifting, let it rest a couple of days before sharing!