Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Holding up a spoonful of apple butter from a jar

Easy Homemade Apple Butter (Gluten-Free, Vegan)


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

  • Author: Felicia Lim
  • Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 16 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

Rich, creamy and silky smooth, this easy homemade apple butter is slow cooked until caramelized, and has a beautiful fall flavor from the spices used. Naturally gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan too.


Ingredients

Units Scale

Instructions

  1. Peel, Core and Cube Apples: Peel and core the apples, before cutting them into into small cubes.
  2. Place Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Place apples in the slow cooker, add sugar, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, and vanilla, stir to combine.
  3. Cook Until Tender: Cook the apples and the other ingredients on the high setting for 4 hours (or on the low setting for 8 hours). Make sure to stir the ingredients a couple times during this time.
  4. Puree Until Smooth: Once the apples are done cooking, puree the apples in a blender until smooth.
  5. Return to Slow Cooker: Return the apple butter to the slow cooker and cook on high for another 1 hour. 
  6. Enjoy or Store: You can either enjoy the apple butter or cool it before transferring it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Notes

Apples: Feel free to use the type of apples you like (I used gala apples, but you can also use pink lady apples, golden delicious, honey crisp apples, etc.)

Brown Sugar: I used brown sugar to give it a deeper flavor. If you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I highly recommend using brown granulated monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 brown sugar substitute that is zero glycemic index and will not raise your blood sugar).

White Sugar: I used white sugar, but cane sugar will work too. If you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I highly recommend using granulated monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 white sugar substitute that is zero glycemic index and will not raise your blood sugar).

Spices: I used a mix of ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg to give this apple butter fall flavors. Alternatively, you may also replace them with 2/3 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice instead.

Vanilla Extract: I like adding a bit of vanilla extract for flavor, and highly recommend that you add it too.

Storing/Freezing: You can either enjoy the apple butter or cool it before transferring it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.If you don’t plan on using the apple butter within a week, freeze whatever amount you are not using in freezer-safe jars (leaving 1 inch of space empty as the apple butter will expand once frozen). Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw the frozen apple butter completely overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.

  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 5 hours
  • Category: Snacks
  • Method: Slow Cooker
  • Cuisine: American