Easy to Make Apple Butter in a Crock Pot

Apple butter is a favorite preserve for those who know of its tangy, sweet flavor. It is easily created at home in a crock pot with just a few simple ingredients and a bit of time.

Homemade Apple Butter

This recipe is a great way to use up an abundance of apples. The delightful mixture may be preserved in jars or freezer for long term storage.

If you have never tasted this great apple spread, follow the instructions below and introduce yourself to a new pancake or waffle topping! Apple Butter works well as a healthy substitute for maple syrup. (This author even uses it as a secret ingredient in baking items.) There are many uses for Apple Butter like basting a baked ham or chicken for an added touch of sweetness and spice. It is simply a spiced apple sauce
Shopping List

• 8 Medium Granny Smith Apples
• Butter 
• Brown Sugar
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Ground Cloves
• Ground Ginger

Recipe
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 2 hours

• 8 Granny Smith Apples
• 2 T Butter
• 1/4 C Brown Sugar
• 1 t Cinnamon
• 1/2 t Nutmeg
• 1/2 t Cloves
• 1/4 t Ground Ginger

Sliced apples coated with spice mixture

Instructions

Preheat crock pot on low setting. 
Add butter and brown sugar to the crock.
Peel and core apples, remove skin if desired. (Skins may be kept on apples if a hand blender or stand-up blender model is used when Apple butter is ready to cool. Blend until smooth. This adds extra fiber, pulp, and vitamins!) 
Drop apple slices into crock pot. 
Add the final ingredients to the apples and stir the slices around in the mixture to coat well. 
Cover and let steep for two hours. the apple mixture will literally melt down and only require a stirring action to convert it to Apple butter. 
Let cool and enjoy! 
*Makes about 2 1/2 quarts

How To Preserve Apple Butter

Canning
Apple butter while still hot may be transferred to a large pot and simmered for an extra 30 minutes to remove impurities and brought up to temperature for canning. Scoop foam off of mixture if needed and pour into hot, sterilized, and approved canning jars. Top with new, hot lids and rings with a 1/2" headspace clearance. Place filled, hot jars in water bath canner. Process pints for 15 minutes and quarts at 20 minutes. Turn heat off when time is expired. Allow canner to cool slightly. Remove the lid away from the body to prevent steam burns. Place jars on a surface covered with a double layer of towels. Let jars sit undisturbed and covered with a cloth for 24 hours. Label the tops with the date made and keep in a cool, dark place for up to two years. Turn jars in deep storage occasionally to keep contents fresh. Refrigerate after opening and use within two weeks. 
Freezer Storage
Allow Apple Butter mixture to cool down to a manageable temperature. Using freezer bags, pack cooled mixture into bags leaving about a two inch head space in the bag. Lay bag flat and let cool to room temperature. Keeps in freezer for about 6 months.

posted from Bloggeroid