Try this Amazing Apple Butter

It’s that time of year! No, I’m not talking about pumpkin spice latte anything. I’m talking about apples. There are so many flavorful, local varieties to choose from, but it took the inspiration of a gal who recently moved all the way to Arizona from the heart of Berks County to share a simple recipe for Slow Cooker Apple Butter.

On a recent trip to Gettysburg for the National Apple Harvest Festival, I was given a free bushel of apples. I posted a pic on Instagram and Hannah chimed in with a simple, tried-and-true recipe she uses. Hannah (A.K.A The New Lunch Lady) is a clean eater and appreciates wholesome foods and enjoys this sugar-free recipe.

As it turns out, it comes from a farmette in the middle of Ohio. The recipe is simple and based on Hannah’s referral, I hope you give it a try!

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Happy and healthy cooking!

Slow Cooker Apple Butter

Recipe by Mary and Jim of Old World Garden Farms, oldworldgardenfarms.com

Ingredients

• • 21 whole medium-sized apples (use A Sweet Variety like Jonathan, Gala Or Fuji)

• • 4-½ cups unsweetened apple juice

• • 6 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

• • 3 tsp ground cinnamon

• • 3/4 tsp ground nutmeg

• • 3/4 tsp ground cloves

• • 1/3 tsp sea salt

Instructions

1. 1. Core and slice apples with skin on. Using an apple slicer/corer makes it quick and easy to get all apples cut before they begin to turn brown. Make sure to cut out any bruised or bad spots.

1. 1. Add to a 6-quart crockpot, followed by the rest of the ingredients.

1. 1. Stir mixture a few times to coat the apples evenly with the liquid and spices.

1. 1. Cover and cook on low for 12 hours or overnight.

1. 1. Turn off the crockpot and allow the apple mixture to cool for about an hour. The apples should be very soft and a dark brown color when they’re ready.

1. 1. Use an immersion blender to blend apple mixture to a smooth consistency. If you don't have an immersion blender, you can pour cooled apples and liquid into a blender and blend until the mixture is completely smooth.

1. 1. Let the apple butter cool completely and then store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, freeze for up to 6 months, or can the apple butter for 10 minutes in a hot water bath.