A lovely crockpot apple butter.

[hippywife]

So I had about six apples that were close to a use them or lose them stage, three red delicious and 3 grannies. I had made apple butter in the crockpot before but didn't have enough apples for a full batch. I searched different recipes to get a reminder of the general proportions. So many of them talked about simmering in the crockpot over night but I didn't really have that kind of time since it was Sunday night and I wouldn't have time to let them cool in the morning before work.

I ended up doing my own little twists and it came out fantastic!

6 average sized apples, cored but not peeled, chopped into approx. 1 in. chunks

I put these in the crockpot on high and squeezed the juice of a whole large lemon over them. I also had a bag of leftover orange halves in the fridge that I had juiced and saved for zest. I laid these on top of the apples just as they were. I let them cook on high for at least an hour to an hour and a half (I was doing housework so not really paying attention to time but look and texture instead.) I removed the orange peels and mashed the apples somewhat with a potato masher. I turned the heat down and let them continue to simmer about another hour and mashed them some more. At this point I also added 3 cups of brown sugar and some ground cloves (not sure how much.) I let it simmer another couple of hours on low. It was beautifully brown and thickened. I ladled into two pint canning jars and turned upside down on the counter until cooled and then refrigerated. I didn't put them in a hot water bath since I figured we could eat two pints in the allotted time.

We've been enjoying it all week and I just had some on my toast with peanut butter for breakfast. Absolutely delicious! So, it doesn't take tons of time and expertise to make apple butter that's really a treat!

Hope all of you are doing well. I haven't been doing much cooking the last month or so, just doing the bare minimum to get by and keep Bill happy enough. But I'm getting better and feeling better. Looking forward to joining the world once again. Thanx to everyone for keeping tabs via PM's and making me feel cared for. I've missed all of you and this group very much.

:hi:

[livetohike]

1. It's been years since I've tried this

Thanks for the reminder and your recipe looks great :hi:. Glad you are feeling better, too.

[hippywife]

5. Thanx, livetohike.

It is good to be back and having the desire to be creative in the kitchen again. :hi:

[Tesha]

2. So glad you're feeling better...

you've been sorely missed. Welcome home...

and thanks for the idea, we love apple butter... on fresh homemade bread!

[hippywife]

6. Homemade bread

is a splendid idea and hopefully on the agenda for this weekend if I have time.

Thanx for the welcome home. :hi:

[auntAgonist]

3. I LOVE apple butter. I lived close to the village of Wellesley

Ontario, Canada and used to buy ONLY Wellesley apple butter.
I miss going to the Apple Butter and Cheese Festival in the Fall.

http://www.wellesleyabcfestival.ca/

I may just have to try making my own.

It is really good to see you again Hippywife!! I hope you'll be back more often. You're in my thoughts.

:hug:
:hi:
aA
kesha

[hippywife]

4. Thanx, kesha!

It's really go to see you again, too. :hug:

This recipe turns out very fruity. The best way I can think to describe it is about a 3/4 of the way from applesauce towards a traditional apple butter.

I hope you do give it a whirl. :hi:

[japple]

7. Two of our apple trees are showing promise of large yields

in late summer. Some of my family members have been asking for apple butter, and even though I don't have a crock pot, I can do it on the stovetop.

I'm happy to see you back in our midst. We're sorely lacking inspiration without you.
:hug:

[hippywife]

8. Good to see you, too, japple.

We almost bought some half priced peach and apple trees at Lowe's last week but once we thought it over and decided to go ahead with it, they were gone when Bill went to get them a day or so later. Maybe next year.

We did plant some bare root sand plums tho, so I do look forward to their fruit in the years to come.

:hi:

[hvn_nbr_2]

9. Why turn the jars upside down?

I may be completely ignorant on this because I never do canning or jelly/spread type things.

[hippywife]

10. The heat creates a seal.

I probably didn't need to do it that way since it will be all eaten before it goes bad, but what the heck.