Slow Cooker Strawberry Butter Recipe
Homemade Slow Cooker Strawberry Butter is a luscious, naturally sweetened fruit spread perfect for breakfast or snacks. Made with fresh strawberries, honey, and a touch of vanilla, this recipe uses a slow cooker to develop rich flavors and a smooth, spreadable texture without any added preservatives.
- Author: Emma
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 to 9 hours
- Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes to 9 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: About 4 cups (1 quart) 1x
- Category: Spread, Jam, Breakfast
- Method: Slow Cooking, Blending
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Fruits
- 3 pounds fresh strawberries, stem removed
Sweeteners & Flavorings
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- Combine Ingredients: Place the fresh strawberries, honey, granulated sugar, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt into the slow cooker. Stir everything together gently to combine the ingredients well.
- Slow Cook Covered: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on the low heat setting for 6 to 7 hours. Stir the mixture occasionally to ensure even cooking. The strawberries will soften and the color will darken as the fruit breaks down.
- Blend Until Smooth: Remove the lid and use an immersion blender right in the slow cooker to puree the strawberry mixture until smooth. Alternatively, carefully transfer the mixture in batches to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Continue Cooking Uncovered: Return the slow cooker to the low setting without the lid and cook for another 1 to 2 hours. Stir occasionally as the mixture thickens further to reach a spreadable butter consistency.
- Add Vanilla Extract: Stir in the vanilla extract at the end of the cooking process to add a warm, aromatic flavor to the strawberry butter.
- Cool and Store: Let the strawberry butter cool slightly before transferring it into a sterilized jar for storage. This helps maintain freshness and safety.
- Refrigerate or Freeze: Store the jam in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, or freeze for longer shelf life. Thaw frozen batches in the refrigerator before use.
Notes
- Use ripe, fresh strawberries for the best natural sweetness and flavor.
- Honey can be substituted with maple syrup for a different flavor profile, but it may slightly alter the sweetness.
- The slow cooking process concentrates the flavors, so patience is key.
- If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the sugar accordingly.
- Make sure to stir occasionally to prevent burning or sticking to the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Store in sterilized, airtight containers to maximize shelf life and safety.
- Freezing in small portions makes it easy to thaw just what you need.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons (about 30g)
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0.1g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0.3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: strawberry butter, slow cooker strawberry butter, homemade fruit spread, slow cooker jam, strawberry spread, natural sweetener fruit butter