Slow Cooker Cinnamon Butter Apples

Slow Cooker Cinnamon Butter Apples are everything you want in a cozy, comforting side dish—warm, tender, and gently spiced, with a rich buttery finish. Whether you serve them alongside pork chops, spoon them over pancakes, or enjoy them straight from the bowl, they fit beautifully into both everyday meals and holiday spreads. Because the slow cooker does the work, this recipe is not only easy but also incredibly reliable.

While stovetop fried apples have deep roots in Southern cooking, slow-cooked versions became popular as home cooks looked for hands-off ways to build flavor. Over time, this method proved ideal. The apples soften gradually, the cinnamon mellows, and the natural juices blend into a glossy sauce without constant stirring.

Moreover, this recipe strikes the perfect balance—sweet but not cloying, spiced but not overpowering. As a result, it appeals to both traditional tastes and modern kitchens. Once you try them, they’re bound to become a repeat favorite.

Recipe Yield: 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

3 lb apples (Honeycrisp or Golden Delicious), peeled, cored, thick-sliced
4 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into cubes
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 tbsp water

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Prepare the apples:
First, peel, core, and slice the apples into thick wedges. Then, add them directly to the slow cooker, spreading them evenly.

2. Season and sweeten:
Next, sprinkle the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt over the apples. After that, drizzle in the vanilla and lemon juice. Gently toss to coat.

3. Add butter and cook:
Now, dot the butter evenly over the apples. Cover and cook on LOW for 3 hours, stirring once halfway, until apples are tender but still hold shape.

4. Thicken the sauce:
Meanwhile, whisk the cornstarch with water. Stir it into the slow cooker, then cover and cook 30 minutes longer, until glossy and thick.

5. Finish and serve:
Finally, gently stir and serve warm. The apples should be soft, saucy, and richly spiced.

HELPFUL TIPS TO PERFECT THIS RECIPE

• Choose the right apples:
  Although many varieties work, Honeycrisp and Golden Delicious hold texture best, ensuring the apples soften without turning mushy.
• Balance sweetness carefully:
  Because apples vary naturally, you can slightly reduce sugar if your apples are extra sweet. This keeps flavors warm, not overpowering.
• Control texture easily:
  For firmer apples, reduce total cook time by 20 minutes. Conversely, for softer apples, extend cooking slightly while monitoring.