Easy Apple Butter

Have a big bowl or a bag of apples starting to go soft?  Don’t really want to make another pie or a crisp?  Before they head to the compost bin try making some super simple apple butter.  It makes a great gift! 

My apple butter starts out a lot like my applesauce.  I fill my medium sized slow cooker with chopped apples, add a ½ cup of water and let it cook down on high until is it the consistency of smooth applesauce.  It takes about 4 hours.  If your apples get super thick add a little more water to loosen it up, you want an applesauce consistency.  Use a potato masher to break up any large apple pieces. 

Then add 3 cups of sugar, 1 Tbs. cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. nutmeg, 1/2 tsp clove and ½ tsp salt.  Cook another 2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes.  Taste it and adjust spice to your liking.  Pour into sterilized half-pint jars top with lids and process in a hot water bath for 15 minutes.  Makes about 9 jars. 

Spread on toast, waffles or pancakes, biscuits, warm butter rolls or place a dollop on your oatmeal.