We have two apple trees in our yard and we have had a major bumper crop of apples this season. One of our go-to recipes to make use of our bounty is Crock Pot Apple Butter. Sooo yummy! Even if apple butter is not your thing, it makes your house smell AMAZING for days, people! We eat it on toast, pancakes, sandwiches, or crackers. I’ve even heard it used instead of applesauce as a replacement for oil in baked goods – have to try that!
Hubby Dave is in charge of all things apple in our household. He’ll plop down in the evenings and peel, core and slice the apples a bushel at a time.
Now that the girls are getting older they have served as assistants, gathering apples and in Arden’s case – peeling some of the apples.
She put her Sally Dress to good purpose one day, filling the giant pockets to the brim!
Hadley has self-appointed herself as chief quality control inspector, taking bites of the apples as Dave peels them. She now demands “I watch” whenever anyone begins work in the kitchen.
This recipe came from my Mom, though we’ve adapted it to our taste by halving the sugar and nearly doubling the spices.
Crock Pot Apple Butter
5 1/2 lbs. apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
2 C sugar
2 T cinnamon
1 t ground cloves
1/2 t salt
Place apples and remaining ingredients in crock pot. Cook on HIGH for 1 hour. Stir, then cook on LOW 9-11 hours, stirring occasionally. Remove lid and cook on LOW 1 hour. Beat till smooth using an immersion blender. Place in containers and cool. Refrigerate or freeze.
I’m pinning this. We bought a tiny tester of apple butter from the farmers market & my daughter swooned over it. Now we are buying an acreage to grow an orchard & I want to make it when our trees start producing (oh why do they take so many years?! lol). Oh, and applesauce. Until then, I’ll have to deal with store bought apples but I NEED to try them soon! Thanks for the recipe lady!
Mae
I will be trying this soon. My husband & dad loves apple butter.
How much does this yield?
Good question! I don’t know exactly, but we fill the entire crock pot and when it’s all cooked down we put it into two smallish plastic containers, so about 5 cups.
I ended up with 3 1/2 quarts. which is plenty for my small family.
I made apple butter using this recipe last night, and it is delicious. I did add another cup of sugar just because I like mine a little sweeter, You could also add honey instead of extra sugar. I have family and friends who want me to make them some now! thank you!!