How To Make Apple Butter in a Crockpot
Its that time of the year when we have an over abundance of apples to use up, so how about learning how to make apple butter?Apple butter is not only yummy, but its fairly simple to make and it freezes very well so you can have fresh butter throughout the year!
Most people think apple butter is going to taste like butter with apple flavor – but it isn’t butter at all. It takes more like a jam, but has a very smooth and creamy consistancy like butter – hence the name! It is used in much the same way as jam as well – spread on toast and biscuits for a completely different take on “toast and jam”.
So many folks steer clear of making apple butter because it is known to be very time consuming – but there are more simple ways to prepare it and that is what I’m providing you with today!
Tools Needed
Tools Needed:
- Crockpot
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Ladle
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Knife and chopping board
- Blender
- Large wooden spoon
- Canning jars, rings and lids
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 4-5 lbs of apples – best kind are a combination of sweet and tart, like Granny Smith and Red Delicious
- 4 cups of white sugar
- 1/3 cup apple cider
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
Directions
Directions
- You can use the apples peeled or unpeeled, but I prefer peeled apples
- Wash and quarter the apples and place in crock pot
- Add sugar and stir well to coat all the apples
- Pour the apple cider over the apples
- Add the spices and mix well
- Cook on high for 2 1/2 – 3 hours. Then cook on low for 9 hours
- Check the apples about 1/2 way through the cooking process and make sure there is a lot of juice!
- Fill a blender with some of the mixer and process until very smooth. Repeat this with the remainder of apples
- Pour the mixture back into the slow cooker and cook uncovered on high about 1-3 hours
- Place the hot butter in jars. Allow to cool throughly and place in freezer
You can also go through the canning procedures at this point if you prefer to put them up in storage. We have canning procedures for pickles which can be followed for most any food. Regardless, you MUST either freeze or can this butter to keep it from spoiling.
Tips & Resources
Tips & Resources
While the apple butter is perfect on its own, you can also add some extra items to make it a little different:
- Add molasses or syrup to the mixture
- Add ginger or ground cloves along with the cinnamon.
- Add powered drink mix like Kool Aid in the first few hours of cooking. This adds a taste that kids will enjoy a lot!
- Add orange juice in the first few hours of cooking
For other cooking tips, check out the Food & Drink section of our website.
Do you have any Apple Butter recipes?
Please comment and share them with us!
Thanks so much for linking to this on my Thursday’s Scrumptious Bites post. It looks super yummy and I can not wait to try it when apples go on sale!