Slow Cooker Apple Butter

Oh the apple trees are loaded again this fall!

Last year I sold quite a few bushels at the Farmers Market.

But this year we are in the camper,

no market for me.

And being in the camper makes it a little tricky to do canning.

I decided not to let that stop me.

I had my trusty electric roaster and crockpot.

Along with a new recipe for crockpot apple butter.

This could be do-able!

I brought back a bushel full of red ripe apples.

I peeled the apples, then cut them into chunks.

Into the electric roaster they went with a little water added to the bottom.

I got so involved with this step I forgot to take pics!

They cooked down for an hour or so.

Next was a trip through the food mill.

Out came a nice chunky sauce.

The sauce went into the crockpot along with 1 cup sugar, 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup apple cider, 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, and a 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg.

I set the temperature on low and let it cook overnight.

When the pipeliner left for work the next morning it was still a little runny.

I took the lid off and turned the temperature on high for a couple of more hours.

It looked like this a few hours later.

A nice dark brown. 

I couldn't do a hot water bath with my big canner, so I made do with what I had.

It took me a little while to do the whole batch.

But it was worth it on my cinnamon raisin bread the next morning!

Slow Cooker Apple Butter

6 pounds apples peeled, cored, and sliced

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup apple cider

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 teaspoons nutmeg

I cooked my apple first in the electric roaster.

But this recipe tells you to add all of this to a slow cooker.

Cook on low for 10 hours, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is thickened and dark brown.

Use an immersion blender to puree the apple butter until smooth.

Spoon the mixture into hot, sterile jars.  

You can do a water bath for 15 minutes or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

What a great fall treat!

Liz