{Gifts in a Jar} Slow Cooker Country Apple Butter

When apple season is in full swing it’s the perfect time for this autumn treat.  On a fresh slice of bread, or over ice cream- apple butter is delicious, and you can’t beat the way it makes your home smell while it’s cooking down. Homemade is a thoughtful and personal way to give a gift to friends or family.  This recipe is thick, spicy, and full of amazing apple flavor. Surprise your dinner hostess, child’s teacher,   boss, or a neighbor with a jar of apple butter, and a loaf of fresh bread from the bakery and watch the smile’s break out on their faces.

Ingredients:

• 6 pounds apples
• 1 ½ cups packed brown sugar
•  1 tablespoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions:

Spray crockpot with nonstick cooking spray

Peel, core, and slice all your apples. (I love this peeler/corer combo.)

Place apples in slow cooker.

Pour brown sugar, cinnamon, lemons, and cloves over the top of apples, cover.

Cook on low for 10 hours, stirring occasionally until apple mixture is thick and a beautiful dark brown color. ( I like to put mine in before I go to bed at night and cook while we sleep).

Remove cover, give it another stir, add vanilla and cook uncovered for 2 more hours on low.

If you have an immersion blender, use that right in the slow cooker to smooth out the remaining lumps.  Alternatively, pour mixture into blender (vent the lid and do small batches at a time to avoid a blender explosion) until apple butter is smooth.

Recipe makes 3 pint jars. (Shop for Mason Jars here.)

Prepared as is you will need to keep it refrigerated. If you wish to keep shelf stable you will need to process your jars.  I prefer to use the hot water bath method here.

Use this label: Country Apple Butter Label

Find more holiday gifts in a jar ideas!

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