Apple Butter in a Crock Pot for Canning: A Sweet and Easy Recipe
Apple butter is a delicious and versatile condiment that can be enjoyed on toast, pancakes, waffles, and even ice cream. It's also a great way to preserve the flavor of apples for longer periods. While traditional methods of making apple butter involve long hours of cooking, using a crock pot makes the process much simpler and less labor-intensive.
Here's a step-by-step guide for creating delicious apple butter in your crock pot, ready for canning:
Ingredients:
- 12-15 pounds of apples (a mix of sweet and tart varieties is ideal)
- 1 cup of water
- 1/2 cup of lemon juice
- 1/2 cup of brown sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves (optional)
Equipment:
- Large crock pot
- Large saucepan
- Immersion blender
- Canning jars (pint or half-pint sizes)
- Canning lids and rings
- Jar lifter
- Water bath canner
- Ladle
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Apples:
- Wash, core, and chop the apples into roughly 1-inch pieces. You can peel them if you prefer, but it's not necessary.
- Place the chopped apples in the crock pot.
2. Add the Liquids and Spices:
- Pour the water, lemon juice, and brown sugar into the crock pot.
- Add the cinnamon, nutmeg (optional), and cloves (optional).
3. Cook the Apple Butter:
- Cover the crock pot and cook on low heat for 8-12 hours, or until the apples are completely softened and mushy.
- Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
4. Puree the Apple Butter:
- After cooking, use an immersion blender to puree the apple butter until it is smooth. You can adjust the texture by leaving some chunks, if desired.
5. Sterilize the Jars:
- Wash the canning jars and lids in hot, soapy water and rinse thoroughly.
- Place the jars in a water bath canner and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Remove the jars with a jar lifter and place them upside down on a clean kitchen towel to drain.
6. Fill the Jars:
- Using a ladle, carefully pour the hot apple butter into the sterilized jars, leaving 1/2 inch of headspace at the top.
- Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean damp cloth to remove any spills.
7. Seal the Jars:
- Place a new lid on each jar and screw on the ring, but don't tighten it all the way.
8. Process in a Water Bath:
- Fill the water bath canner with enough water to cover the jars by at least 1 inch.
- Bring the water to a rolling boil.
- Carefully lower the jars into the boiling water bath.
- Process the jars for 15 minutes (for pint jars) or 10 minutes (for half-pint jars).
- Time starts when the water returns to a boil.
9. Remove and Cool:
- Carefully remove the jars from the water bath using a jar lifter and place them on a clean kitchen towel to cool completely.
- As the jars cool, you should hear a "popping" sound as the lids seal. This indicates a successful seal.
10. Store the Apple Butter:
- Once the jars are completely cool, check the lids to make sure they are properly sealed.
- Store the apple butter in a cool, dark place for up to a year.
Tips:
- You can add different spices to your apple butter, such as ginger, cardamom, or allspice.
- If you don't have an immersion blender, you can puree the apple butter in a regular blender or food processor in batches.
- For a less sweet apple butter, reduce the amount of brown sugar.
- If you are canning a large batch of apple butter, you may need to work in batches to ensure all the jars are processed properly.
Enjoy your homemade apple butter! It's a delicious and satisfying treat that is perfect for sharing with family and friends.
