Make your own delicious and aromatic Apple Butter right at home using your crockpot! This spread is perfect for toast, biscuits, or even as a topping for yogurt and desserts.
📋 Ingredients:
- 🍎 6 lbs apples (about 12 large apples), peeled, cored, and sliced
- 🍬 2 cups granulated sugar
- 🍯 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 🌿 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 🌿 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 🌿 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 🌿 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 🍋 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
📝 Directions:
1️⃣ Prepare the Apples:
- Peel, core, and slice the apples. Place them in a large slow cooker (at least 6-quart capacity).
2️⃣ Add the Ingredients:
- Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt to the slow cooker. Stir to coat the apples evenly.
3️⃣ Cook the Apples:
- Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low for 10 hours, stirring occasionally. The apples should become very soft and dark brown.
4️⃣ Blend the Apples:
- After 10 hours, uncover the slow cooker and stir in the vanilla extract. Use an immersion blender to puree the apple mixture until smooth. If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can carefully transfer the mixture to a blender in batches and blend until smooth.
5️⃣ Thicken the Apple Butter:
- If the apple butter is too thin, continue to cook uncovered on low for an additional 1-2 hours, or until it reaches your desired consistency. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
6️⃣ Cool and Store:
- Once the apple butter has thickened, allow it to cool to room temperature. Transfer the apple butter to sterilized jars and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks or can it for longer storage.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 10-12 hours
Total Time: 10-12 hours 20 minutes
Servings: Makes about 6 cups
💡 Notes:
- You can adjust the amount of sugar based on the sweetness of your apples and your personal preference.
- For a spicier apple butter, you can add more cinnamon or a pinch of allspice.
- This recipe can be easily doubled if you have a larger slow cooker or want to make a big batch for gifting.