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Slow Cooker Blueberry Butter

Featured in Flavorful Sauces & Marinades.

This Slow Cooker Blueberry Butter transforms ordinary blueberries into a luxurious, intensely flavored spread with minimal hands-on effort. Unlike jam or jelly, fruit butter has a smooth, rich consistency without being overly sweet, allowing the natural flavor of the blueberries to shine through. The slow cooker does all the hard work, gently cooking down the berries and concentrating their flavor while you go about your day. A touch of cinnamon and nutmeg enhances the fruity notes without overwhelming them, while lemon adds just the right amount of brightness to balance the sweetness. What makes this recipe special is how the long, slow cooking process caramelizes the sugars and intensifies the blueberry flavor, creating something that tastes totally different from fresh berries. The resulting spread is incredibly versatile – perfect on morning toast or English muffins, swirled into yogurt or oatmeal, used as a topping for pancakes or waffles, or even paired with cheese for an elegant appetizer. Best of all, it makes your house smell amazing while it cooks!
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Ranah
Updated on Wed, 09 Apr 2025 23:57:39 GMT
Easy Slow Cooker Blueberry Butter Pin it
Easy Slow Cooker Blueberry Butter | lifesugar.co

This slow cooker blueberry butter transforms ordinary berries into a luxurious, spreadable treat that captures summer's essence in every spoonful. Unlike traditional fruit jams that can be overly sweet and one-dimensional, this butter develops complex layers of flavor as it slowly simmers.

I first made this blueberry butter after returning from a pick-your-own farm with far more blueberries than we could possibly eat fresh. The transformation of those simple berries into this rich, concentrated spread was nothing short of magical.

Simple Ingredients

  • 6 cups fresh blueberries: Provides the fruit base with vibrant color and flavor
  • 1 cup light brown sugar: Adds caramel notes that complement the berries
  • ¼ cup honey: Creates shine and helps preserve the butter's texture
  • Zest of 1 lemon: Brightens the flavor with essential oils from the peel
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice: Balances sweetness with necessary acidity
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon: Adds warm, subtle spice notes without overwhelming

The quality of your blueberries significantly impacts the final product. While you can use frozen berries in a pinch, fresh berries at the peak of ripeness deliver the most vibrant flavor and color.

Easy Preparation

Berry Preparation:
Rinse and dry blueberries thoroughly. Remove any stems or damaged berries.
Initial Slow Cooking:
Combine all ingredients in slow cooker. Cook on high for 1 hour until berries soften.
Blending Process:
Carefully blend mixture until completely smooth using blender or immersion blender.
Concentrated Simmering:
Return to slow cooker. Cook on low with lid ajar 4-5 hours until thickened.
Storage Preparation:
Ladle into clean jars, leaving ½ inch headspace. Cool completely before refrigerating.
Slow Cooker Blueberry Butter Pin it
Slow Cooker Blueberry Butter | lifesugar.co

I've made countless batches of this blueberry butter over the years, and it never fails to impress. What continues to amaze me is how such a simple process transforms ordinary berries into something so extraordinary.

Creative Applications

Elevate everyday foods with this versatile blueberry butter by thinking beyond the obvious toast and breakfast applications.

Flavor Variations

Customize this versatile base recipe with thoughtful additions that complement the blueberry flavor while creating new experiences.

Troubleshooting Tips

Achieve perfect results every time by understanding common challenges and their solutions when making fruit butters.

Storage Solutions

Maximize the enjoyment of your homemade blueberry butter through proper storage techniques tailored to different timeframes and uses.

Slow Cooker Blueberry Butter Recipe Pin it
Slow Cooker Blueberry Butter Recipe | lifesugar.co

This slow cooker blueberry butter has become one of my signature homemade treats – the recipe friends and family request most often.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use frozen blueberries instead of fresh?
Yes! Frozen blueberries work beautifully in this recipe. No need to thaw them first - just add them straight to the slow cooker. The cooking time might be slightly longer since they'll release more liquid than fresh berries.
→ How do I know when my blueberry butter is done cooking?
It should coat the back of a spoon and hold its shape when you run your finger through it. If you place a small amount on a cold plate, it shouldn't spread out too much. The color will also deepen to a rich, dark purple.
→ Can I make this recipe with less sugar?
You can reduce the sugar somewhat, but it does help with preservation and texture. I wouldn't go below 1 cup of sugar for this amount of berries. You could also substitute some of the sugar with more honey if you prefer.
→ How can I make this blueberry butter shelf-stable?
To make it shelf-stable, you would need to properly can it using a water bath canning method. Process filled jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes (adjust for altitude if necessary). Always follow updated safe canning guidelines from a source like the National Center for Home Food Preservation.
→ What are some creative ways to use blueberry butter?
Beyond the obvious toast and pancakes, try using it as a filling for crepes, thumbprint cookies, or between cake layers. Swirl it into cheesecake batter, use it as a glaze for grilled pork or chicken, stir it into barbecue sauce, or blend it into smoothies. It also makes a wonderful homemade gift!

Slow Cooker Blueberry Butter

This Slow Cooker Blueberry Butter lets your crockpot do all the work, transforming fresh berries into a deeply flavored, silky smooth spread you'll want to put on everything.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
360 Minutes
Total Time
370 Minutes


Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 32 Servings (About 4 cups (8 half-pint jars))

Dietary: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Main ingredients

01 3 pounds fresh blueberries
02 1½ cups light brown sugar
03 1 tablespoon honey
04 1 lemon, zested and juiced
05 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
06 ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions

Step 01

Add the blueberries, brown sugar, honey, lemon zest, lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg to your slow cooker. Stir everything together until well combined.

Step 02

Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on high heat for 1 hour. This helps the blueberries break down and release their juices.

Step 03

Carefully transfer the hot blueberry mixture to a blender and blend until smooth. You may need to do this in batches depending on your blender size. Be cautious when blending hot liquids!

Step 04

Pour the blended mixture back into the slow cooker. Prop the lid up slightly with a wooden spoon handle or chopstick. This allows steam to escape so the mixture can thicken properly.

Step 05

Cook on low heat for an additional 4-5 hours, stirring occasionally if possible. You'll know it's done when the mixture has thickened significantly and coats the back of a spoon.

Step 06

Once your blueberry butter has reached the desired thickness, ladle it into clean 8oz mason jars while it's still hot. Leave about ¼ inch of space at the top of each jar.

Step 07

Let the jars cool completely before putting the lids on and storing in the refrigerator. Your blueberry butter will keep for up to 2 months in the fridge.

Notes

  1. This recipe makes about 4 cups of blueberry butter, perfect for filling 8 half-pint (8oz) jars.
  2. For a smoother texture, you can blend the mixture again after cooking is complete.
  3. If you prefer a sweeter spread, taste before jarring and add more sugar or honey if needed.

Tools You'll Need

  • Slow cooker (4-6 quart size)
  • Blender or immersion blender
  • 8oz mason jars with lids
  • Ladle for filling jars
  • Wooden spoon

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 67
  • Total Fat: 0.2 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 17 g
  • Protein: 0.4 g