Slow Cooker Apricot Preserves Recipe

Apricot preserves on toast
Lauri Patterson/E+/Getty Images
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 4 hrs
Total: 4 hrs 5 mins
Servings: 36 servings
Yield: 2 jars

This intensely flavorful preserve is made with the panty staple of dried apricots. Now if you are craving the sweet treat, you don't have to wait until summer. Even in the middle of winter, grab your slow cooker and a container of dried apricots and get cooking. Even though this is mostly a hands-off recipe, you'll want to be around during the four hour cooking time to stir the apricots occasionally. If you don't, the preserves run the risk of burning in the crockpot.

Once it's made this apricot preserve is quite versatile. Use it in place of jelly on a classic PB&J. Add a small bowl of it to your next cheese plate. Use it as an oatmeal topping or place small spoonfuls in your next batch of thumbprint cookies.

If you are looking for some variation, add in chopped yellow raisins (dark raisins will change the color of the preserves). For other flavors, chopped fresh ginger will provide some spice or a sprinkle or two of cinnamon or cardamom will bring some warming spices to the mixture. Experiment with what you like best, but just go lightly on the quantities. The low, slow cooking of the crockpot can enhance strong flavors.

Apricot preserves make a great gift for the holidays or any time of year. Save up some glass jars and lids, tie a ribbon with a recipe tag onto the jar, and share the tasty treats with friends, neighbors, or anyone else who deserves one.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups dried apricots

  • 1 1/2 cups sugar

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

  • 1 3/4 cups water

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Finely chop the apricots in a food processor or with a knife. Make sure the pieces are all uniform. Any chunks will impact the smoothness of the preserves. If you are adding any other ingredients, make sure they are all done with a uniform chop.

  3. Place the apricots in a slow cooker. Stir in the sugar, lemon juice, and water. Cover and cook on high for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

  4. Uncover and cook on high, stirring occasionally, 1 to 2 hours longer or until the mixture has thickened.

  5. Ladle into clean glass jars. Let the glass jars cool before sealing. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. If you want your preserves to be stored on the shelf at room temperature, you'll need to process the jars in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes.

  6. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
50 Calories
0g Fat
13g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 36
Amount per serving
Calories 50
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 1mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 13g 5%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Total Sugars 12g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 0mg 1%
Calcium 4mg 0%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 85mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)