How To Make Apple Butter

Ingredients:

How to Make Apple Butter
It's autumn in Michigan and that means apple season is here. My family loves apples prepared any way possible and a favorite is apple butter. I've made this recipe for close to 20 years and it's a tradition for me to hand it out during the holidays.

Crock Pot Apple Butter

10-18 apples, sliced and cored
2 cups apple cider or water
1 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 Tablespoon ground allspice
1/2 Tablespoon ground cloves

Equipment:

A crock pot, preferably a larger size. Mine is 5 quarts
Food mill
Cutting board
large knife for chopping
Paring knife for coring
Measuring cup and tablespoon
Large spoon

Step 1:

Cut and core the apples and place in the crock pot. Leave the skins on. A glass of apple cider while you work is always nice too.

Step 2:

Add the apple cider and cook for 10 to 18 hours on low or 6 to 8 hours on high.

Step 3:

You can see from the permanent stains on my crock pot that I have cooked many batches of apple butter in it over the years.

When I have all the apples in my crock pot the lid will not sit on the edge of the crock. Don't worry, the apples cook down.

Step 4:

When your apples are finished cooking, they will need to be put through a food mill.

Step 5:

The skins you left on for cooking will be removed by the food mill.

Step 6:

Add your sugar and spices to the pureed apples, stir in completely, and continue cooking.

Step 7:

Spices Added:

Step 8:

Cook on low 6 to 8 hours or on high 2 to 4 hours. Half way through your cooking time remove the lid. Stir it occasionally and check for thickness. My way of testing it is to give it the "spoon test." If the spoon stands up, the apple butter is done!

Step 9:

Apple butter should have a rich, dark brown color to it, but not be over cooked to the point of being dry.