Crock Pot Apple Butter for Canning: A Delicious & Easy Recipe
Apple butter is a delicious and versatile condiment that can be enjoyed on toast, biscuits, pancakes, or even used as a glaze for pork. Making your own apple butter is surprisingly easy, and using a crock pot makes the process even simpler. Plus, canning your homemade apple butter allows you to enjoy its flavor all year round.
Ingredients You'll Need:
- 8 pounds of apples: Choose a variety of apples with a good balance of tart and sweet flavors. Some popular choices include Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Fuji.
- 1 cup of water: This helps the apples soften and release their juices.
- 1/2 cup of lemon juice: The lemon juice helps prevent the apple butter from browning and also adds a bright flavor.
- 1/2 cup of brown sugar: Adjust the amount of brown sugar to your taste preference.
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon: This adds warmth and complexity to the flavor.
- 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg: A subtle spice that adds depth to the apple butter.
- 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves: A hint of clove adds a warm, almost savory note.
- 1/4 cup of butter: This adds richness and smoothness to the apple butter.
Instructions:
- Prepare the apples: Wash and core the apples. Chop them into roughly 1-inch pieces. There is no need to peel the apples, as the skin will soften during the cooking process.
- Combine ingredients: Place the chopped apples, water, lemon juice, brown sugar, spices, and butter in the crock pot.
- Cook on low: Cover the crock pot and cook on low heat for 8-10 hours, or until the apples are very soft and mushy.
- Puree the apples: Once the apples are cooked, use an immersion blender to puree them until smooth.
- Adjust sweetness and spices: Taste the apple butter and adjust the sweetness and spices to your preference. You can add more brown sugar, spices, or even a pinch of salt.
- Can the apple butter: To can the apple butter, sterilize jars and lids in boiling water. Fill the jars with hot apple butter, leaving 1/2 inch of headspace. Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean cloth to remove any spills. Secure the lids and process in a boiling water bath for 20 minutes.
Tips for Success:
- Use a variety of apples: This will give the apple butter a more complex flavor.
- Don't overcook the apples: Overcooked apples will become bitter.
- Use an immersion blender: This will make it easier to puree the apples and create a smooth texture.
- Let the apple butter cool before canning: This will help prevent the jars from cracking.
- Store the canned apple butter in a cool, dark place.
Enjoy your Homemade Apple Butter!
With this easy crock pot recipe, you can enjoy the delicious taste of homemade apple butter all year round. Whether you spread it on toast, use it as a glaze, or add it to baked goods, your homemade apple butter is sure to be a hit.
