Introduction
Oh, friends, there are some flavors that just instantly transport you back to childhood, aren’t there? For me, it’s the sweet, sunshine-y taste of fresh strawberries. And this Slow Cooker Strawberry Butter? It’s like bottling that pure, unadulterated joy! Imagine spreading this warm, luscious concoction on toast, biscuits, or even pancakes. It’s so incredibly easy, you’ll wonder why you haven’t made it sooner. Seriously, we’re talking minimal effort for maximum deliciousness. Get ready to fall in love!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast to Prep: Most of the magic happens in the slow cooker, so you can set it and forget it!
- Easy Peasy: Even if you’re a beginner in the kitchen, you can whip this up with confidence.
- Giftable Goodness: Package it in cute jars, add a ribbon, and you’ve got the most thoughtful homemade gift!
- Crowd-Pleasing Champion: Everyone, and I mean everyone, adores this buttery, fruity spread.
Ingredients
Gathering these simple ingredients is a breeze. You probably have most of them already!
- 3 lbs fresh strawberries: The star of the show! Make sure they’re nice and ripe for the best flavor.
- 1/3 cup honey: For a touch of natural sweetness and a beautiful depth of flavor.
- 1 tsp lemon juice: Just a little bit to brighten up those strawberry flavors and help with preservation.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar: To get that perfect sweet and slightly tangy balance.
- 1 pinch salt: Don’t skip this! It really makes the sweet flavors pop.
- 2 tsp vanilla extract: The perfect finishing touch for that cozy, comforting aroma and taste.
How to Make It
Let’s get this sweet dream started! It’s honestly as simple as it gets.
- Prep those Strawberries: First things first, you’ll want to hull your strawberries (that means removing the green leafy tops) and then give them a good quartering. This just helps them break down more easily.
- Slow Cooker Magic: Toss those lovely quartered strawberries into your slow cooker. Then, add in the honey, lemon juice, granulated sugar, and that tiny pinch of salt. Give it all a gentle stir to combine.
- Let the Slow Cooker Do Its Thing: Cover your slow cooker and set it to LOW for about 6 to 8 hours, or if you’re in a bit more of a hurry, you can use the HIGH setting for 3 to 4 hours. The strawberries will become super soft and juicy.
- Mash it Up: Once the cooking time is up, it’s time to get mashing! You can use a good old-fashioned potato masher right in the slow cooker, or if you have an immersion blender, that works like a charm to get a super smooth consistency. I like to leave mine a little chunky, but you do you!
- Vanilla Dream: Stir in that lovely vanilla extract. Oh, the smell is just divine!
- Thicken to Perfection: Now, this is where you get to control the texture. Remove the lid from your slow cooker and continue to cook on LOW for another 1 to 2 hours. Give it a stir every so often. You’re looking for it to thicken up to your desired butter-like consistency. It will thicken even more as it cools!
- Jar it Up: Carefully ladle your beautiful, homemade strawberry butter into clean jars. Let them cool down a bit before screwing on the lids.
Substitutions & Additions
Feeling inspired? You can totally tweak this recipe to make it your own!
- Boozy Twist: For an adult-friendly version, try adding a tablespoon or two of Grand Marnier or a good quality strawberry liqueur in the last hour of cooking.
- Spice it Up: A tiny pinch of cinnamon or cardamom can add a lovely warmth.
- Berry Buddies: Don’t be afraid to mix in a cup or two of other berries like raspberries or blueberries along with the strawberries!
- Sweetener Swap: If you prefer, you can use maple syrup or agave nectar instead of honey, though the flavor profile will change slightly.
Tips for Success
A few little tricks to ensure your strawberry butter turns out absolutely perfect every time!
- Ripe is Right: Using really ripe strawberries will give you the sweetest, most flavorful butter.
- Don’t Over-Mash (Unless You Want To!): If you prefer a bit of texture, don’t go overboard with the mashing or blending.
- Patience with Thickening: It might seem thin at first, but the strawberry butter will thicken considerably as it cools in the jars. Trust the process!
- Prep Ahead: You can hull and quarter your strawberries a day in advance and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
How to Store It
This delicious strawberry butter needs a little TLC to stay fresh.
Once your strawberry butter has cooled completely, make sure to store it in airtight jars in the refrigerator. It should stay wonderfully fresh for about 2 to 3 weeks. If you plan on making a big batch, consider freezing some in smaller portions for even longer enjoyment!
FAQs
Got questions? I’ve got answers!
Q: Can I make this without a slow cooker?
A: Absolutely! You can make this in a large saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until thickened. It will just require more attention and stirring on your part!
Q: Why is my strawberry butter not thickening?
A: It might just need a little more time! Continue cooking uncovered on low, stirring occasionally, until you reach your desired consistency. Remember, it thickens as it cools!
Q: How long does it take to cook?
A: The total active cooking time in the slow cooker is about 7-10 hours on low (or 4-5 hours on high), plus an additional 1-2 hours uncovered to thicken. Prep time is minimal!
Q: What’s the best way to use this strawberry butter?
A: Oh, the possibilities are endless! Spread it on toast, scones, biscuits, muffins, pancakes, waffles, or even swirl it into yogurt or oatmeal. It’s also amazing on a cheese board!
Slow Cooker Strawberry Butter
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
- Potato Masher or immersion blender
- Jar(s) for storage
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 3 lbs fresh strawberries hulled and quartered
- 0.33 cup honey
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Hull your strawberries (that means removing the green leafy tops) and then give them a good quartering. This just helps them break down more easily.3 lbs fresh strawberries
- Toss those lovely quartered strawberries into your slow cooker. Then, add in the honey, lemon juice, granulated sugar, and that tiny pinch of salt. Give it all a gentle stir to combine.3 lbs fresh strawberries
- Cover your slow cooker and set it to LOW for about 6 to 8 hours, or if you're in a bit more of a hurry, you can use the HIGH setting for 3 to 4 hours. The strawberries will become super soft and juicy.
- Once the cooking time is up, it's time to get mashing! You can use a good old-fashioned potato masher right in the slow cooker, or if you have an immersion blender, that works like a charm to get a super smooth consistency. I like to leave mine a little chunky, but you do you!
- Stir in that lovely vanilla extract. Oh, the smell is just divine!3 lbs fresh strawberries
- Now, this is where you get to control the texture. Remove the lid from your slow cooker and continue to cook on LOW for another 1 to 2 hours. Give it a stir every so often. You're looking for it to thicken up to your desired butter-like consistency. It will thicken even more as it cools!
- Carefully ladle your beautiful, homemade strawberry butter into clean jars. Let them cool down a bit before screwing on the lids.