Slow Cooker Monday: Apple Butter
Monday, 7 November 2011
On Saturday I asked my Facebook fans a simple question: pumpkin butter or apple butter? Both were popular choices and the votes ended up being pretty much split down the middle. Luckily, everyone wins: today is apple butter day and Wednesday is pumpkin butter day!
I like both kinds of fruit butter and I actually tried a combination apple-pumpkin butter when I visited Apple Hill last month. It was a great balance of the two flavors and I might try my hand at making that next.
If you’re not familiar with fruit butters, they don’t actually contain butter. A fruit butter is when fruit is cooked down then pureed into a thick, creamy spread. This is the third time I’ve made fruit butter in my slow cooker – I made some wonderful blueberry lavender butter with fresh berries and frozen berries last summer.
Apple butter tips:
There are 3 kitchen appliances that make this process so much easier:
- A slow cooker of course (although you can make this on the stove instead).
- One of those old-fashioned peeler/corer/slicers cuts prep time in more than half.
- An immersion blender (AKA hand blender, blender stick, etc.) to puree the apple butter right in the pot. I like to avoid pouring boiling hot stuff into my blender and back. I’m too clumsy to safely do stuff like that.
Speaking of slow cookers, Crock-Pot is unveiling a brand new design tomorrow night at 8pm EST. This is an exclusive for their Facebook fans – RSVP to the event and get the link to the tab on their Facebook page. In addition to seeing the new Crock-Pot, you’ll also get to watch a live performance by country singer Sarah Darling and have a chance to win a trip to Nashville!
Do you have a favorite kind of fruit butter?
Recipe:
Slow Cooker Apple Sauce
Makes 3 1/2-4 pints
- 6 1/2 pounds apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced*
- 1 1/2-2 cups brown sugar, lightly packed
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
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Recommended process time for Apple Butter in a boiling-water canner. |
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Jar Size |
Process Time at Altitudes of |
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0 – 1,000 ft |
1,001 – 6,000 ft |
Above 6,000 ft |
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Half-pints or Pints |
5 min |
10 |
15 |
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Quarts |
10 |
15 |
20 |
*I used 3 Granny Smith apples and equal parts McIntosh and Jonagold apples. You can use whatever apples you like, but some types are better than other for apple butter. McIntosh are very soft and tart Granny Smith counterbalance the sweet flavors, adding some depth.
No. 1 — November 9th, 2011 at 6:31 am
I never knew apple butter was so easy to make!! I just bought a bottle this weekend from the market — next time, I’ll have to make my own. Is there anything you can use instead of a slow cooker (I don’t own one
)
No. 2 — November 9th, 2011 at 7:26 am
@Living the Sweet LIfe – yes, you can make it in a dutch oven instead. See my post on making pumpkin butter on the stove] later today.
No. 3 — November 9th, 2011 at 9:11 pm
I love home made, its super fresh must try. Thanks for sharing this.
No. 4 — November 11th, 2011 at 8:06 am
This looks so easy, and photos look delish!
Thanks for the directions…now to the market for some apples.
No. 5 — November 13th, 2011 at 6:17 pm
I just made a batch of apple butter in my slow cooker – and I was shocked at how much I liked it! Now what to do with all of it is the next questions!
No. 6 — November 13th, 2011 at 8:04 pm
@kita – that’s great! I’ve been spreading it on toast and it’s also good mixed into oatmeal and plain yogurt. Let me know if you come up with any other good uses for it!
No. 7 — November 13th, 2011 at 8:48 pm
Yum! I agree I love it with my oatmeal and greek yogurt! I need to find time to make some!
No. 8 — December 2nd, 2011 at 8:45 am
You can also use apple butter to make different pies. I made an Apple Butter Pumpkin Pie last night that was fantastic!
No. 9 — December 22nd, 2011 at 1:45 pm
I made your apple butter a couple days ago & it turned out very good despite the fact I didn’t have any ground cloves & I think I forgot the vanilla at the end, lol.
No. 10 — February 10th, 2012 at 12:12 pm
Can I skip the sugar? Or maybe replace it with honey? I’m off refined sugar for a while.
No. 11 — February 10th, 2012 at 12:51 pm
@SR – If you’re going to skip the sugar, use sweeter varieties of apples. I would probably add a little honey to taste, depending on how sweet the apples are.
I gave up refined sugar for a month last year and it was tough! I’m thinking about doing it again though, because I find myself eating too much sugar. Good luck!