Dried fruit preserves is the answer! Organic dried apricots are easy to find, and they make a delicious easy to make jam. One that can in fact be canned using a water bath process but, rest assured, freezing the jars of jam is also an option.
Twice now I have had an apricot tree in my backyard. One was a free giver with more apricot than could be used! And the other was gnarled and so very old. The gnarled tree was beautiful in the rustic way old trees seem to also be magnificent. But sadly did not produce fruit any longer.
Fresh apricots have always been a favorite of mine, and I have so many recipes to make and ways to enjoy them! As we put in a few fruit trees here in Texas I am hoping that I can find at lease one apricot tree in the mini orchard that we have plans for. But until there are fresh apricots for jam, Easy Crock-Pot Dried Apricot Butter is the way to enjoy that delicious apricot flavor, until the next harvest!
Twice now I have had an apricot tree in my backyard. One was a free giver with more apricot than could be used! And the other was gnarled and so very old. The gnarled tree was beautiful in the rustic way old trees seem to also be magnificent. But sadly did not produce fruit any longer.
Fresh apricots have always been a favorite of mine, and I have so many recipes to make and ways to enjoy them! As we put in a few fruit trees here in Texas I am hoping that I can find at lease one apricot tree in the mini orchard that we have plans for. But until there are fresh apricots for jam, Easy Crock-Pot Dried Apricot Butter is the way to enjoy that delicious apricot flavor, until the next harvest!
What is the difference between a fruit butter and a fruit jam?
The difference is in the technique. A fruit butter is pureed, while a fruit jam, retains some texture from small but noticeable chunks of fruit. Meaning that apricot butter or apricot jam are both wonderful, and can be used to add flavor to many recipes and cooking techniques, so around here we use it not only spread over out toast in the morning, but in recipes as well. It is another ingredient I enjoy having in my pantry to add variety to our meals.
Here are a few of the ways we enjoy Easy Crock-Pot Dried Apricot Butter, in our kitchen...
Stir a spoonful into the pan after cooking chicken or pork chops along with a splash of lemon juice or white wine vinegar to deglaze the pan, for a light pan sauce.
Spread over your favorite yeast dough in place of butter, sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar mixture, roll up tight and cut into rolls. Bake as usual.
Mix with sour cream or yogurt adding a touch of curry for a delicious sauce to serve over anything you like!
Use as a filling between the layers of a layer cake, frosting top and sides.
Make a delicious BBQ sauce by combining apricot butter with a touch of honey, a touch of molasses and minced onion.
Add a tablespoon to your favorite vinaigrette for a fresh flavor!
I have no doubt you will add a few more uses once you have jars of Easy Crock-Pot Dried Apricot Butter in your pantry.
Additional thoughts on this recipe:
Naturally dried apricots are not bright yellow in color. The drying process naturally concentrates the fruit and darkens the overall color. This dark color is nothing to be concerned about.
This recipe calls for a small amount of sugar, if you family likes a sweeter preserve, you can increase the sugar amount, if desired.
- dried apricots
- sugar
- lemon juice
- salt
- Crock-Pot/Slow Cooker
- knife or kitchen scissors
- Scraper/Spatula
- measuring spoons
- measuring cups
- 6-8 6 oz. jars with lids
- OR
- small storage containers with lids
- stick blender
- water bath canner, if desired
- rings and flats for canning jars, if desired
Now we are ready to begin!
Easy Crock-Pot Dried Apricot Butter
inspired by one perfect bite
UPDATED: 02.09.2025
1-1/4 pounds dried apricots
2 c sugar
3-1/2 c water
2 T lemon juice
1/2 t salt
Dice the apricots using a knife or kitchen scissors. Place in a 3-1/2 quart crockpot along with the sugar and water and stir to combine. Cover and cook on high for 2 hours.
Add the lemon juice and salt, stir well. Cover and continue to cook on high for an additional 2 hours. Carefully blend the cooked apricot mixture into a "butter".
Ladle preserves into clean jars or storage containers, seal, and when cool transfer to the refrigerator for up to 1 month. Or freeze for longer storage.
To Process in a boiling water bath, for long term pantry storage:
Ladle the hot Easy Crock-Pot Dried Apricot Butter into hot canning jars, affixing the 2 piece lids firmly, but not tight. (pint or half-pint jars)
Process in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes.
Carefully remove jars from water and allow them to cool to room temperature, then inspect the seal, before putting them away.
Note: store any jar that did not seal in the refrigerator.
Process in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes.
Note: store any jar that did not seal in the refrigerator.
2 c sugar
3-1/2 c water
2 T lemon juice
1/2 t salt
Dice the apricots using a knife or kitchen scissors. Place in a 3-1/2 quart crockpot along with the sugar and water and stir to combine. Cover and cook on high for 2 hours.
Add the lemon juice and salt, stir well. Cover and continue to cook on high for an additional 2 hours. Carefully blend the cooked apricot mixture into a "butter".
Ladle preserves into clean jars or storage containers, seal, and when cool transfer to the refrigerator for up to 1 month. Or freeze for longer storage.
To Process in a boiling water bath, for long term pantry storage:
Ladle the hot Easy Crock-Pot Dried Apricot Butter into hot canning jars, affixing the 2 piece lids firmly, but not tight. (pint or half-pint jars)
Process in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes.
Carefully remove jars from water and allow them to cool to room temperature, then inspect the seal, before putting them away.
Note: store any jar that did not seal in the refrigerator.
For
those new to home canning, or just starting out, here is the basic process, from
the National Center for Home Food Preserving. Don't let being new stop you, home canning is a
lovely way to preserve food safely and bring something special to your family meals.
Storage options for Easy Crock Pot Dried Apricot Butter. You may store in the freezer for up to 12 months, once thawed store covered in the refrigerator until gone. You may store the canned jars in a cool dry place for up to 12 months, once opened store in the refrigerator until gone.
UPDATE:
For your convenience, a "copy and paste" version of Easy Crock Pot Dried Apricot Butter has
been included below.
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Printable "copy and paste" version:
Easy Crock-Pot Dried Apricot Butter
inspired by one perfect bite
inspired by one perfect bite
UPDATED: 02.08.2025
1-1/4 pounds dried apricots
2 c sugar
3-1/2 c water
2 T lemon juice
1/2 t salt
Dice the apricots using a knife or kitchen scissors. Place in a 3-1/2 quart crockpot along with the sugar and water and stir to combine. Cover and cook on high for 2 hours.
1-1/4 pounds dried apricots
2 c sugar
3-1/2 c water
2 T lemon juice
1/2 t salt
Dice the apricots using a knife or kitchen scissors. Place in a 3-1/2 quart crockpot along with the sugar and water and stir to combine. Cover and cook on high for 2 hours.
Add the lemon juice and salt, stir well. Cover and continue to cook on high for an additional 2 hours. Carefully blend the cooked apricot mixture into a "butter".
Ladle preserves into clean jars or storage containers, seal, and when cool transfer to the refrigerator for up to 1 month. Or freeze for longer storage.
To Process in a boiling water bath, for long term pantry storage:
Ladle the hot Easy Crock-Pot Dried Apricot Butter into hot canning jars, affixing the 2 piece lids firmly, but not tight. (pint or half-pint jars)
To Process in a boiling water bath, for long term pantry storage:
Ladle the hot Easy Crock-Pot Dried Apricot Butter into hot canning jars, affixing the 2 piece lids firmly, but not tight. (pint or half-pint jars)
Process in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes.
Carefully remove jars from water and allow them to cool to room temperature, then inspect the seal, before putting them away.
Note: store any jar that did not seal in the refrigerator.
For those new to home canning, or just starting out, here is the basic process, from the National Center for Home Food Preserving. Don't let being new stop you, home canning is a lovely way to preserve food safely and bring something special to your family meals.
Storage options for Easy Crock Pot Dried Apricot Butter. You may store in the freezer for up to 12 months, once thawed store covered in the refrigerator until gone. You may store the canned jars in a cool dry place for up to 12 months, once opened store in the refrigerator until gone.
~~~~
This is so interesting! I had no idea you could make an apricot butter from dried apricots! I'd love to try this. The BBQ sauce from it sounds so interesting, too. Pinning to save and share! Thank you for sharing this post with us at the Will Blog for Comments #55! We hope to see you again at #56 which opens Monday. :)
ReplyDeleteJennifer, it is quite lovely! You can also add a small can of crushed pineapple and cut back on the water just a tad and have a chunky Apricot Pineapple Spread.
ReplyDelete