Apple Cinnamon Jelly

Name: Apple Cinnamon Jelly
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 620 min
Total time: 630 min
Ingredients: 5 lbs of apples; 4 cinnamon sticks; 1 tablespoon whole cloves; 3 cups water; 7 cups sugar; 1 package pectin; cheesecloth; jars

47 Comments By Jesseca on August 2, 2023

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This Apple Cinnamon Jelly is made with the juiciest apples and a dash of cinnamon. It will dance on your palate with each delightful bite. Whether you’re a toast fanatic, pancake lover, or pastry enthusiast, our Apple Cinnamon Jelly is the flavor-packed companion you’ve been craving.

Searching for more beginner jelly ideas? Be sure to try my Peach Strawberry Jelly and jalapeno jelly recipe!

two jars of jelly on a wooden cutting board with cinnamon sticks and apples

This post was originally published December 19, 2013. It has since been updated to include fresh photos and helpful tips.

Why You Will Love This Easy Jelly Recipe

Slow Cooker Jelly: Fresh apples are slow cooked with spices giving this an extra boost of flavor- and your home will smell incredible!
Minimal Ingredients: Only 6 main ingredients are used.
Perfect Gift: Jelly is the perfect gift. You can make it well in advance and dress it up with fabric, labels, or ribbon!

This homemade apple jelly starts in a slow cooker for 10 hours with cinnamon sticks and cloves giving you a flavor packed base. Ideal for toast, biscuits, pancakes, or even a cheesecake topper! You cannot go wrong with this sweet side. I make this recipe every Christmas. My brother and sisters look forward to large jars along with my pomegranate jelly.

This easy apple jelly is inspired from our favorite Knott’s Berry Farm jelly. We could only find it seasonally when visiting the parks, but boy was it delicious!

glass bowl filled with red and yellow apples

Apple Jelly Ingredients

One of the things I love about this recipe is that you don’t need too many ingredients. A homemade spiced apple juice is made using your favorite apples with a handful of fall spices. From there, it’s as simple as cooking and canning! Here is what you will need to get started:

Apples: A blend of different varieties will give you a bold flavor. I stick with whatever apple is on sale, but not tart green.
Spices: Specifically, cinnamon and cloves. Because this is going to be slow cooked, you need to use cinnamon sticks and whole cloves.
Pectin: I find that powdered pectin, like a box of Sure-Jell, works the best with this recipe.
Sugar: Sugar is used to help sweeten the concentrated juice and allows the mix to become the perfect spreadable consistency.

slow cooker filled with apple pieces and cinnamon sticks

How To Make Spiced Apple Jelly

Making this recipe takes a little extra time, but it is as simple as setting and forgetting. I bake my apples in the slow cooker overnight and can be ready to jar first thing in the morning!

PREP: Slice the apples into quarters, no need to discard the seeds or stems. You want all of the apple into the mix for optimal flavor.
SLOW COOK: Add the apples, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and 2 cups of water to the slow cooker. Let that cook on low for 10 to 12 hours, or until the apples are soft and their is quite a bit of juice in the base.
JUICE: Strain the liquid from the slow cooker into a measuring cup, using cheesecloth to catch any small bits and seeds. Once the apples have cooled slightly, press the juice from each getting 7 cups of liquid. I use a cheesecloth to help with this process. If you find that you aren’t quite to the 7 cup mark, you can substitute with apple juice or apple cider.
COOK: Add the juice and the pectin to a very large pot. Bring to a rapid boil. Once heated, stir in the sugar and return to a full boil. Cook 5 minutes more.
CAN: Follow the canning instructions to your processor and enjoy!

Helpful Tools

Slow Cooker: Using a large Slow Cooker (affiliate) is key to fitting all of the apples and getting enough juice. I use a 6 quart with an automatic shut off.
Pectin: This recipe does require the use of pectin to help thicken the jelly. I use a box of 1.75 oz pack of Sure-Jell (affiliate).
Cheesecloth (affiliate): Not a necessity, but it will make things much easier.

spoon filled with jelly over an open mason jar

Recipe Notes:

What temperature do I cook my apple cinnamon jelly to make sure it sets?

We have had success cooking are jellies and jams to 220 degrees f. It gives us a solid, and still spreadable, jelly. Be sure to invest in a quality candy thermometer (affiliate) to keep track of your jellies cooking temperature.

How do you know when jelly has set?

We like to use the freezer method. Before I start cooking my jelly I set a small plate in my freezer. When the jelly has reached temperature I place a small spoonful directly on the plate. After a few seconds I rotate the plate and see if the jelly is beginning to set. If so, you are good to can the jelly!

How long does homemade jelly last?

If processed correctly, your jelly could last up to two years. Make sure you follow the directions of your steam bath and use sterile clean jars. Once opened it will last up to three months.

Can I use any type of apples for the jelly?

Yes, you can use a variety of apples, but it’s recommended to use tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for a better balance of sweetness and flavor.

What’s the best way to sterilize the jars before filling them with jelly?

You can sterilize the jars by washing them with hot, soapy water, then boiling them in a large pot of water for 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can use a dishwasher’s sterilization setting.

close image of a mason jar filled with jelly on a cutting board with green apples

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