Crockpot Apple Butter is a wonderful, easy and delicious way to use up all those extra apples. Basically, it’s an applesauce that has been even further reduced with sugar and spices. Its cooked down removing moisture and converts into this thick caramelized apple, super yummy treat that just warms the cockles of your heart. At least it does to mine. The warm spicy scent permeates the entire kitchen. It’s silky texture is a taste bud pleaser for sure. Apple butter is a family favorite in this home and it makes a great Christmas gift as well.
You will need:
- 5 lbs. or more of nice tart apples granny smith, Macintosh are nice
- 3 cups of sugar more or less to taste
- 2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. cloves
- 1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
- 14/ tsp. salt
How to make:
Peel and slice your apples and place in crockpot until its full to the brim. Add about 3 cups of sugar, you can layer the apple and sugar if you like. Add spices, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and about 1/4 tsp. salt. Turn to low and cook for 8 hrs. ,over night or until the apples have reduced down and is thick enough for a wooden spoon to stand in the center. It helps to leave the lid open a crack. Uncover for the last hour or so and to puree use a stick blender. Place Butter in warm sterile jars leaving about 1/4 ” head space, seal & place in HWB for 10 Minutes or according to your altitude.
Another great tip passed on to me by my husbands Aunt Ann, is when freezing and storing for the winter, fill a large bowl with salted water. Peel and slice your apples filling the bowl until your complete. Drain water and measure 5-6 cups of apples per bag and freeze. The apples stay super white and super delicious.
When using for pie I usually cook on the stove first then fill the pie. You can also use these delicious frozen apples from the freezer for a wonderful treat simply simmer on the stove with butter and cinnamon & or nutmeg and a bit of sugar brown or white and done Easy peezy. Yum! Eat alone or enjoy as a topping for pancakes and waffles or even a cheesecake or torte topping! Can you taste it?
Beauty and the Bay 