My hubby has always had a “thing” for apple butter. We even went to a festival once and got to help make some. They were doing it the old fashion way in a big… no make that huge pot over a wood fire. Well I don’t have a pot that big, nor the supply of apples, but I did want to at least try to make some for my hubby at home. After much research of recipes and ways to go about it, I loaded my family up to hit the local u-pick orchard.
Ah yes, the family outing to pick apples. The Norman Rockwell moment we all dream of. Happy children picking along side parents, enjoying a beautiful fall day. Yeah right!!! Have you met my family!?!?! What started off well, turned into the apple death march from hell. Near the end, hubby and I were just trying to finish filling the bag so we could get the heck out of Dodge. The littlest country kid had snarffed way too many apples off the ground and the oldest country kid was tired of walking and complaining about it loudly…. Ahh but you can make a picture look like it was the best day ever! Norman and his pictures.
With apples on hand and the children off doing other things it was time to get to work on that apple butter. I pulled out the apple peeler/corer and set to work. I used a blend of apples, Jonagold, Golden Delicious, and Empire, to make my apple butter. You can use which ever variety you like, just remember, the apples are cooking down and concentrating, so if you use a bitter or tart apple… that taste will only get stronger. Once the apples were ready, it was into the crock pot they went.
How many apples did I use? Well they were of varying sizes so I just put enough in to fill the crock pot to the top. That will vary depending on what size crock pot you use. I also added in the following:
I put the crock pot on low and let it go for about 8 hours. By that time the apples had reduced down to half, so I added in enough new apples to get the pot back up to full. I kept the crock pot on low for an addition 16 hrs. Every once in a while I would stir the pot, but for the most part, it is a set it and forget it kind of project. At the 24 hour mark, I took the lid off the crock pot and bumped the temp to high so the majority of the remaining moisture would evaporate off. My hubby likes his apple butter thick… like a spread. This last step took about 2-3 hours with a lot more attention and stirring. Once that was done we let the apple butter cool off. At this point I removed the cinnamon sticks and then ran it through a blender (cause hubby likes his apple butter SMOOTH.) The first photo of the spoons shows before blender and after.
Ya know, other then the peeling/coring thing… this is really a breeze to make. I mean it looks time consuming but you really don’t have to watch it the whole time…. and the added bonus is your house will smell amazingly yummy. And at least for me, bonus points with the hubby! Yeah I made him apple butter, that’s right, this girl right here!
And heck if I can pull this little cooking project off, so can you!!! So why not give it a go, you might surprise not only yourself, but your taste buds too!
Can you freeze this?
Apple butter ROCKS!
Oh, goodness this looks so good. Come fall I can take the apple butter OUT! In fact one jar's already come and gone. Never had homemade but I'm so tempted to try your recipe! I'd love if you'd link up to my new link party – http://www.dreamalittlebigger.com/post/link-party-9.html
I just made apple butter today too! I love seeing how other people make it though. Come join my linky party if you're interested…
cass-eats.blogspot.com
I have always wanted to try making this!
I have a giveaway going on, would love for you to check it out!
http://thediaryofarealhousewife.blogspot.com
Perfect for Fall! Thanks for sharing at Share Your Stuff Tuesdays!
-Emily @ http://www.simplelifeofafirewife.com
Yum! Thanks for sharing this on The HomeAcre Hop! Hope you'll share your all your seasonal posts with us on The HomeAcre Harvest Hop this Thursday!
Good Morning!!! You've been featured at Back to the Basics for The Creative Home & Garden Hop! LOVE this recipe!
Thank you so much!
I love apple butter! Thanks for sharing on the HomeAcre Hop, I'm going to feature this tomorrow. Stop by and link up again and grab your "I've been featured" button! Nancy HomeAcre Hop
Thanks so much Nancy!
At the end of last summer we had to take down our apple trees. They had been here since the home was built and had not been taken care of properly and as much as I tried to save them, I couldn't. It was so sad. But, thankfully we have family with apple trees and I'm able to can a lot of apple butter because kiddo has a serious addiction to it. 😉 We also canned numerous jars of pumpkin as my cousin has a pumpkin patch. Yummy stuff on toast, waffle and pancakes. Thanks so much for linking up on The Yuck Stops Here. I hope you will do so again next week! Chrystal @ YUMeating.com
My hubby is the one with the apple butter problem LOL
Yummy Apple butter I love it! Thanks for sharing this at my Fabulous Friday Party Thanks Maria
Thanks for stopping in!
I love apple butter and have always wanted to know how to make my own! Thank you so much for linking up at Tasty Tuesday! Your recipe has been pinned to the Tasty Tuesday Pinterest board! Please join us again this week!
I hope you enjoy making your own!
I absolutely love Apple Butter, but have never tried it with spices – definitely going to give it a try this year! Thank you for sharing this recipe at #GetHimFed Fridays, hope you have a nice week. 🙂
You will love it, I promise 🙂
I love the flavorful spices you've chosen for your apple butter. I'll bet your hubby is so grateful. Thanks for linking up to #theweekendsocial. Please come join in again this week starting Thursday at 9:00 PM EST. Off to pin your link.
Wouldn't miss it!
Mindie, this looks so good! This was the most viewed post from last week's Try a New Recipe Tuesday! Congratulations! 🙂 The post should go live shortly. Can't wait to see what you'll share this week.
Oh how wonderful! I'll be there in a few LOL Never miss it!
Apple butter's always a favorite around here! Thanks for stopping by and sharing this recipe with us – you're featured this week on Five Friday Finds! I'm looking forward to what you share this week. 🙂
Thanks for hosting and the feature!
I just told The Sweetheart this week I wanted to try this. Thanks for sharing, I was your neighbor at Good morning mondays!
It is really easy to do. I hope you do take the time to try. Your taste buds will thank you!
Oh yeah. I love apple butter. I can smell it simmering already. Thanks!
LOL I love the smell too
I've never had apple butter – perhaps I should try! Thanks for sharing with us at #WednesdaysWisdom
My hubby LOVES it. Most folks get hooked on it after just one taste LOL
Nothing makes your house smell like fall than a big pit of apple butter simmering away. My favorite smell of Fall!
Thanks for sharing on this week's OSH Blog Hop!
http://oursimplelife-sc.com/our-simple-homestead-blog-hop-22/
Isn't nature great… it gives us pretty, yummy, good smelling food all wrapped up in a simple apple 🙂
When I was growing up my mother served us apple butter all the time, but as an adult, I have not had it in years.So when I saw your post on My Flagstaff's Weekend Link Up I had to hop over and check it out. I'm glad I did. I can't wait to make this. I'm pinning and sharing. All the best, Deb
I am so glad I can bring back to life a childhood memory for you! Have fun making and eating!!
We like our apple butter thick and smooth around here too! Using a variety of apples is a great idea – I think it gives the apple butter a greater depth of flavor. 🙂 Also wanted to let you know you're featured today on Five Friday Finds! 🙂
Thank you so much for the feature!
I never thought of making it with cider. Apple butter is a staple in my hometown in Ohio.
The cider just gives some liquid to the situation so that the apples touching the sides and bottom don't burn as they begin to cook down.