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Sunday, November 13, 2022

The Best Apple Butter, with my easy, frugal slow cooker method!

Today we are sharing the easiest, most delicious, frugal recipe for Apple Butter. Made easy in your slow cooker! Come and take a peek...



I love apple butter!

It has so many uses, besides being spread on hot toast or a slice of bread. Stir a couple of spoons into pan drippings for a tasty and different way to de-glazed the pan and make a quick and delicious pan sauce in the process. This is especially delicious with chicken or pork.  

Or you can mix some of your homemade Apple Butter with cream cheese for a tasty dip to serve with graham crackers and sliced apples. Use it as a filling between cake layers, then frost as usual. And you can use it in place of some of the fat in a muffin recipe. I am sure there are many more idea, but I know you get the idea. 

With current food prices unless you have your own apple tree or access to budget priced apples, apple butter might be off your list of kitchen recipes to try. But there is another way! Commercially canned foods are still a good buy because they were canned when harvest prices were at their lowest. 

Fugal and a good value for your food budget!

I use to live in Yakima WA and I am familiar with the brand, Snokist. This company processes many of the Yakima grown apples. So when I noticed these large cans of applesauce at Costco, I knew my apple butter was only a crockpot away. However if you do not have a Costco nearby (or the required membership) you may also find these large number 10 cans of applesauce at your local cash and carry store, and most of these are usually open to the public and do not require a membership.

You won't find an easier Apple Butter recipe. No apple peeling or coring needed. Plus the cooking is actually done without your help, and while you sleep, nonetheless! Throw it together into the slow cooker after dinner and right after breakfast, you are ready to jar and water bath can/process your delicious homemade Apple Butter.

Ingredients needed for this recipe:
  • water pack/no added sugar applesauce
  • sugar
  • cinnamon
  • cloves
  • allspice
You will also need the following:
  • 6 qt slow cooker
  • cotton towel
  • large kitchen spoon
  • measuring cups 
  • measuring spoons
  • water bath canner
  • jars, rings and lids
Now we are ready to begin!



The Best Apple Butter
adapted from Sage Trifle

1 # 10 can of water pack or no sugar added applesauce
2 c sugar
2 T cinnamon
1/8 t cloves
1/4 t allspice



Mix all ingredients in a large (6 quart) slow cooker. 

Cover with a cotton towel, cook on low overnight.

Place a small ceramic or glass plate in the freezer, to use the next morning.

In the morning, the apple butter will have reduced down 1/3 to 1/2 in volume.
 

Remove the plate from the freezer, place a small spoonful of the Apple Butter on the plate, spread it out slightly and let cool. Run your finger through the puddle of Apple Butter on the plate, leaving behind a clean streak. If the streak remains it is thick enough. If you would like it a bit thicker, let cook another hour or so. when thick enough, turn off the slow cooker and prepare jars and a boiling water bath. 

Jar up the butter, lid, and cap, per manufacturer's instructions. Process 12 minutes in a boiling water bath. Yield about 5 pints.
For those new to home canning, here is the basic process, from the National Center for Home Food Preserving.  Don't let being new to canning stop you, it is a lovely way to bring something special to your family meals. 


Storage options for The Best Apple Butter. Once opened store in the refrigerator for up to 30 days. The sealed jars are safe to store in a cool dry area for one year. 

UPDATE:  For your convenience, a "copy and paste" version of The Best Apple Butter has been included below. 

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 Printable "copy and paste" version:


The Best Apple Butter
adapted from Sage Trifle

1 # 10 can of water pack or no sugar added applesauce
2 c sugar
2 T cinnamon
1/8 t cloves
1/4 t allspice

Mix all ingredients in a large (6 quart) slow cooker. 

Cover with a cotton towel, cook on low overnight.

Place a small ceramic or glass plate in the freezer, to use the next morning.

In the morning, the apple butter will have reduced down 1/3 to 1/2 in volume.
 

Remove the plate from the freezer, place a small spoonful of the Apple Butter on the plate, spread it out slightly and let cool. Run your finger through the puddle of Apple Butter on the plate, leaving behind a clean streak. If the streak remains it is thick enough. If you would like it a bit thicker, let cook another hour or so. when thick enough, turn off the slow cooker and prepare jars and a boiling water bath. 

Jar up the butter, lid, and cap, per manufacturer's instructions. Process 12 minutes in a boiling water bath. Yield about 5 pints.

For those new to home canning, here is the basic process, from the National Center for Home Food Preserving.  Don't let being new to canning stop you, it is a lovely way to bring something special to your family meals. 

Storage options for The Best Apple Butter. Once opened store in the refrigerator for up to 30 days. The sealed jars are safe to store in a cool dry area for one year. 

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Would you like to comment?

  1. I love apple butter. I so appreciate you sharing how you make it in the slow cooker. I'm bookmarking this so I can try it later.
    Visiting at your place from IMM#29,30&31

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love apple butter but have never tried making it. But this recipe makes it look so easy!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hubby loves apple butter, he goes thru the large jars of it rather quickly. Might have to give this recipe a try. Thanks so much for linking up at the Unlimited Link Party 90. Shared.

    ReplyDelete
  4. CONGRATS Melynda! Your post is FEATURED at the Unlimited Link Party 91!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dee, thank you so much! I appreciate sharing and seeing what your other readers have shared.

      Delete

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