CROCKPOT APPLE BUTTER FOR CANNING RECIPES

Steps:

• Wash the Apples in cool water.
• Slice apples into quarters or smaller pieces if using very large apples.
• Add 3 cups of Water to a large sauce pot, place on Medium-High Heat, bring to a rolling boil.
• Add Apple Cider Vinegar.
• Add the sliced apples.
• Cover pot, reduce heat and let apples simmer for about 30 minutes or until soft.
• Firmer apples will need more cooking time. Stir apples as needed as they cook down.
• Use a spoon to remove apples from liquid, place apples in a food mill or sieve.
• Force the pulp through sieve and place in separate bowl below.
• Measure the amount of puree you now have as you place it back into the sauce pot.
• Add ½ cup Sugar to each cup of apple puree, adjusting amount as needed… starting with ½ cup as Brown Sugar and the remainder as White Sugar. You’ll need 1/2 cup Sugar for each cup of puree.
• Stir sugar until it dissolves.
• Add Cinnamon
• Add Ground Cloves
• Add Ground Allspice
• Add Lemon, zest and juice only.
• Add Vanilla Extract
• Add pinch of Salt
• Stir well to incorporate all flavors.
• Place sauce pot over very low heat and let simmer for about 6 hours, stirring as needed to keep from burning. Mixture will thicken over time and splatter if not watched carefully.
• As it thickens, place a spoonful on a saucer that has been kept in the freezer.
• Swipe your finger through the butter to see if it will leave a trail or if it runs back together.
• When done, ladle into hot jars leaving ¼ inch headspace.
• Remove air bubbles, clean rim, apply lid, apply band, tighten finger tight.
• Process 10 minutes using the water bath method.

Steps:

• Peel, core, and slice the apples.
• Place them in the slow cooker.
• Add the cinnamon stick, lemon peel, lemon juice and brown sugar.
• Set crock pot to low and cook for 6 hours.
• Stir apples occasionally, apples will slowly become a delicious applesauce.
• Remove cinnamon stick and use an immersion blender to blend until smooth or if you prefer a chunky sauce, leave sauce intact.