apple butter

Name: Apple Butter
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 18 h
Yield: 60
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 pound(s) tart apples (about 20 apples); 3 cup(s) apple cider or juice or water; 2 cup(s) white sugar; 1 cup(s) brown sugar; 2 tablespoon(s) cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon(s) allspice; 1/2 teaspoon(s) cloves

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Carolyn Haas

Whitewater, WI

Updated on Jun 18, 2018

My first experience with apple butter was at an Amish restaurant in Shipshewana, Indiana. At the time we had a small orchard, so I decided to try to replicate this yummy treat. After several attempts and consulting Amish and Pennsylvania Dutch cookbooks, I came up with this version using a Nesco roaster or a slow cooker. (If you do it on the stove, which is the more traditional method, the applesauce "volcanos" that form can make a mess and burn you!) This recipe will make about 8-9 half-pint jars.

Rate

prep time 25 Min

cook time 18 Hr

method Slow Cooker Crock Pot

yield 60 serving(s)

Ingredients

6 pounds tart apples (about 20 apples)
3 cups apple cider or juice or water
2 cups white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon cloves

How To Make apple butter

Step 1

Wash and quarter apples. Place in 4-6 quart kettle or Dutch oven with the water/juice. Cook until soft, about 15 minutes - 1/2 hour. Press through food mill. (If you don't have a food mill, you'll have to peel and core the apples before you cook them.)

Step 2

Place resulting apple sauce into slow cooker or small Nesco roaster. Set to low or 220ºF and cover. Let cook overnight.
Step 3

In the morning, add sugars and spices. Cook at least another 4 or more hours or until mixture is quite dark. If you want super smooth apple butter, whisk with immersion blender when you're done cooking.
Step 4

NOTE - I cook the apples in smaller batches and use part of the liquid for each batch. They get soft quicker that way!
Step 5

NOTE 2: The last time I made this, I let it cook in the crock pot the second day until that afternoon, so way more that 4 hours.
Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!

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