Apple Butter
Nothing says the beginning of fall like homemade Apple Butter.
This is a sweet, smooth spread made by slow-cooking apples with sugar and cinnamon and cloves until it reaches a thick, buttery consistency. A slow cooker is excellent for this purpose. Traditionally served on bread, biscuits or pancakes, it can also be used as a filling for desserts or paired with meats…especially pork. Its rich flavor comes from the caramelization of sugar during the cooking process, and it features cinnamon and nutmeg for added warmth. Apple butter is popular in the fall, especially in regions with abundant apple harvests.
Apple Butter
Nothing says the beginning of fall like homemade Apple Butter.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 hours
- Total Time: 13 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 pints; 16 servings per pint 1x
- Category: Spreads & Toppings
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 5 1/2 pounds apples, peeled and finely chopped
- 4 cups granulated sugar
- 2 to 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
Instructions
- Place apples into a slow cooker.
- Combine sugar, cinnamon, cloves and salt; pour over apples and mix well. Cover and cook on HIGH for 1 hour.
- Reduce heat to LOW; cover and cook for 9 to 11 hours or until thickened and dark brown, stirring occasionally (stir more frequently as it thickens to prevent sticking).
- Uncover and cook on LOW 1 hour longer.
- If desired, stir with a wire whisk until smooth.
- Spoon into freezer containers, leaving 1/2 inch headspace.
- Cover and refrigerate or freeze.
