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Crock Pot Apple Butter

I always thought making apple butter would take days to make. Then my Aunt shared a recipe with me that I've been making almost every year. This crock pot version for apple butter is super easy. I use my largest crock pot and it makes 8-10 pints of apple butter.
First, you start with about 6 pounds of apples. I use a combination of baking apples (like granny smith) and softer apples like golden delicious. Quarter the apples, peel them, and then slice them. Fill the crock pot with the apples. Don't add any liquid.

Cook on low 18 hours. Don't lift the lid. To leave room on my kitchen counter, I plug it in next to my fireplace. (I don't have small children or pets, so it's safe)

Add 5 cups of sugar, 2 Tbl. cinnamon, 2 tsp. ground cloves, and 1 tsp. allspice. Stir well. Cook 4 more hours. If very juicy, remove lid for the last 1-1 1/2 hours to thicken.
You can fill plastic containers and freeze the apple butter, or you can do a water bath canning.
Here's how to use a water bath. Make sure your jars are clean. Fill a large canning pot (I use a large stock pot) with water and bring to a simmer. Heat your jars, lids, and bands. Place your jars, lids, and bands onto a towel to dry. Ladle the hot apple butter into the hot jars. Make sure that you wipe any drips off of the jar with a clean cloth. I use a canning funnel because it has a wide mouth and keeps everything a little cleaner.


Bring water in pan to a boil. Top the jars with the lids and lightly screw on the bands. Place the jars in the boiling water. Boil for 10 minutes. Remove from water and place on a towel to cool. I highly recommend using a canning jar lifter.They sell them at Walmart but I use an antique one. The lovely "pinging" sound you will hear is the sign of the jars sealing. If you press your finger into the center of the lid you can help it along a little. If it never "pings" or stays down when you press it then you can just keep the jar in the fridge and use it right away.


Here's the satisfaction of a bit of work. These jars make great gifts, especially when given with a loaf of homemade bread. One added benefit of making apple butter is that your house will smell divine!




I've shared this with "A Soft Place to Land". Check out her blog for some very creative ideas.


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Comments

  1. Kim @ Twice RememberedNovember 10, 2009 at 8:40 AM

    Thank you so much for sharing this! My husbands side of the family is Pennsylvanian Dutch, so they love their apple butter! I'd love to try making some of my own. Also, thank you for the tips about canning. I've always been a little intimidated by the process but I see it's not as difficult as I've made it out to be!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sheri ONovember 10, 2009 at 6:17 PM

    This looks and smells so good!! I love apple butter, but in my family I'm the only one, so I usually just buy it.
    I am terrified to try the canning (don't want to risk making the family sick), but you made it look easy, so I may have to give it a try!
    Who took the photo???

    ReplyDelete
  3. Tidy Brown WrenNovember 11, 2009 at 6:21 AM

    My Hubby took the picture. I wasn't planning on posting about the canning process but Hubs insisted! He's really supportive of my blogging.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sheri ONovember 11, 2009 at 12:24 PM

    As well he should be! Your blog is fantastic! I look forward to it everyday! The tips are always educational and fun!

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousJanuary 25, 2010 at 3:14 PM

    The information here is great. I will invite my friends here.

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete

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