Slow Cooker Apple Butter Canning: A Sweet and Simple Guide
Apple butter is a delicious and versatile condiment that can be enjoyed on toast, pancakes, waffles, or even as a glaze for pork. Making apple butter at home allows you to control the ingredients and sugar content, and canning it ensures you have a supply for months to come. This guide will help you create delicious apple butter using your trusty crock pot and preserve it for long-term enjoyment.
Ingredients:
- 6-8 pounds apples, peeled, cored, and chopped (choose a variety that cooks down well, like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn)
- 1 cup apple cider (optional, but adds depth of flavor)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (adjust to your taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger (optional)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the apples: Wash, peel, core, and chop the apples into roughly 1-inch pieces.
2. Crock pot cooking: Place the chopped apples, apple cider (if using), brown sugar, and spices into your crock pot. Stir to combine.
3. Slow cook: Cook on low for 8-12 hours, or until the apples are very soft and have broken down completely. Stir occasionally, especially in the first few hours, to ensure even cooking.
4. Puree: Once the apples are soft, use an immersion blender or transfer the mixture to a regular blender to puree until smooth.
5. Adjust flavor: Taste the apple butter and adjust the sweetness or spices to your liking. Add more sugar, spices, or a squeeze of lemon juice if desired.
6. Canning the apple butter:
- Sterilize jars: Wash and sterilize your jars and lids in boiling water for 10 minutes.
- Fill jars: Carefully ladle the hot apple butter into the sterilized jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace at the top.
- Wipe rims: Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp cloth to remove any residue.
- Seal and process: Place the lids and rings on the jars, tightening them finger-tight. Process the jars in a boiling water bath for 20 minutes (adjust processing time according to altitude).
7. Cool and store: Remove the jars from the boiling water bath and let them cool completely. You should hear a "pop" as the lids seal. Store the jars in a cool, dark place for up to a year.
Tips and variations:
- Spice it up: Experiment with different spices like cardamom, cloves, or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Fruity additions: Add a handful of dried cranberries, raisins, or chopped pecans for extra flavor and texture.
- Sugar-free option: Use a natural sweetener like maple syrup or stevia instead of brown sugar.
- Freezing apple butter: If you don’t want to can your apple butter, you can freeze it in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
Enjoy!
Homemade apple butter is a delicious and rewarding treat. This simple recipe allows you to customize the flavor to your liking and ensures a supply of this tasty condiment throughout the year.
