Making Apple Butter in the Crockpot

Apple butter is extremely easy to make! If you can peel and chop apples, you can make apple butter. It's absolutely delicious and can be used in many ways. When used to top ice cream, it almost tastes like you're eating apple pie. Using a crockpot makes it even easier! I've included the recipe so you can get started on your own apple butter.

The entire process takes about 15 hours. I find that it's easiest to start it on a Friday evening, so you can let it cook all night. This recipe yields four pints, or about eight cups.

You will need:

• 5 1/2 lbs Apples, finely chopped (or messily, chopped, doesn't really matter!)
• 1 1/4 Cup White Sugar
• 1 1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
• 2 Tsp Cinnamon
• 1/4 Tsp Ground Cloves
• 1/4 Tsp Ground Nutmeg
• 1/4 Tsp Salt

First, you must peel and chop your apples. Chop them into the smallest pieces you can. They don't need to be neat, just generally the same size. Fill your crock pot up until it is almost full. As time goes on, the apples will gradually cook down.

In a small bowl, mix all other ingredients together. Fold into the apples until they are all evenly coated with the mixture. I find that using a big wooden spoon makes this step easier. Cover and set your crock pot on high for one hour. After an hour, turn it to low and cook for 12+ hours. You can open it occasionally to stir.

The apples will slowly turn into a smoother, dark brown mixture. After about twelve hours, I like to use my handheld stick blender to smooth out the butter. At this point, you can uncover the apple butter and allow it to begin thickening, while still keeping the crock pot on low heat. This step may take 3+ hours.

You can tell that your apple butter is done by dropping a spoonful onto a plate and letting it sit for two minutes. If liquid does not separate from the butter after two minutes, your apple butter is done! Place the apple butter into sterile containers and refrigerate or freeze.  Enjoy!


Shared on the Homestead Blog Hop, HomeAcre Hop, and Tasty Tuesday!