Slow Cooker Apple Butter

It's apple season! I just love this time of year! My family went to The Country Apple Orchard down by Harrisburg over the weekend to pick up some apples. I have been wanting to make homemade apple butter for so long! This recipe is very, very easy to make. All in your slow cooker. This is not a recipe that needs to be canned. You can put it in containers and keep in the refrigerator or freeze it. But it turned out SO GOOOD!!!! And I love the fact that it was made with locally grown apples! It makes about 3-4 pints.

Slow Cooker Apple Butter

Ingredients:

6 1/2 pounds apples, peeled, cored and sliced (I used Honey crisp, but you can also use a combination or Granny Smith or Fuji)

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

Place prepared apples in slow cooker. In a medium bow, whisk together the sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and salt. Sprinkle over the apples and stir gently to combine.

Cook on low for 10 hours.

Stir in vanilla extract, breaking up any large chunks of apples that are remaining. Cover and cook 2 more hours.

Remove cover and use an immersion blender to puree the apple butter until completely smooth. (You can also puree in batches in a food processor or regular blender.)

If you desire a thicker consistency, cook on low with the lid of the slow cooker slightly ajar so that steam can escape.

Let apples cool, then spoon into jars and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for up to 3 months.

.