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Slow Cooker Apple Butter

Servings: Makes 4 pints
Comments:
What is Apple Butter?

Apple butter is a condiment made basically from pureed apples combined with sugar, cinnamon, and sometimes with other spices, such as in the recipe below. It is used as a spread for muffins, bagels, toast, crackers, and cheese sandwiches, as a topping to be added to desserts, or as an ingredient to be used in making a variety of cakes, pies, and pastries. For storage, refrigerate apple butter and use within several weeks or if frozen it can be kept for several months.

Ingredients:
5 1/2 pounds apples, peeled and finely chopped
4 cups granulated sugar, (more or less depending on the sweetness of the apples you are using)
2-3 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. salt

Instructions:
Place apples in a slow cooker. Combine sugar, cinnamon, cloves and salt. Pour over apples and mix well. Cover and cook on HIGH for 1 hour. Reduce heat to LOW and cook for 9-11 hours or until thickened and dark brown, stirring occasionally. Stir more frequently as it thickens to prevent sticking. Uncover and cook on LOW 1 hour longer. If desired, stir with a wire whisk until smooth. Spoon into freezer containers, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Cover and refrigerate or freeze.

Makes 4 pints.

Note:
If not using within a week or two, pour into hot sterilized jars and seal tightly, or freeze the apple butter; it will keep for several months.

Date: October 7, 2007