It is tradition in our family to go apple picking once fall arrives. We spend a couple of hours perusing the orchard, sampling our favourite apple varieties, taking pictures and filling bags with apples – A LOT of apples! Every year I get home and ask myself the same question – “What am I going to do with all of these apples?” One of the most delightful solutions I found was to make apple butter.
This year I set myself the task of making something with these apples to give to others. I wanted to make some a little gift to welcome in the fall season for friends and family. I set off to my computer and searched apple recipes. All the regular recipes came up, like apple pie, apple tart, apple sauce, apple muffins etc. I then spotted a recipe for something I have tasted before but never made. Apple butter – perfect!
Apple butter is super flavourful, easy to make and is very versatile. I like to add a dollop to my oatmeal or spoon some on top of ice cream, but my ultimate favourite is to spread it on buttered sourdough toast – yum!!
How do you make apple butter in the slow cooker?
Making apple butter in the slow cooker is incredibly easy and makes your house smell divine. The scent of spices, apples, vanilla and sugar is so warm and comforting.
The recipe states to simply cut your apples, add your spices and sugars and transfer it all in the slow cooker for 10 hours. So that is what I did. I started first thing in the morning, but you could definitely leave this overnight. After cooking for 10 hours use an immersion blender to create a smooth sauce consistency. Transfer back to the slow cooker for an additional hour.
While the apple butter was finishing cooking I started to prep my jars. Washing them all and getting my little tags organized that I bought at the dollar store. The last thing I needed was to cut my butchers twine for the jars and I was ready to assemble the gifts.
I think the jars looked lovely and I hope that all the recipients of them liked the apple butter as much as I enjoyed making it.
The recipe for the apple butter is listed below. Five star review from me and my family!!!
Click here for the recipe that I used from www.sugarspunrun.com
Still have leftover apples? Try my apple turnover recipe here. Looking for something more savoury? Try my Chicken Pot Casserole recipe here.