Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Start by washing and quartering the apples. This step is crucial to ensure that they are clean and ready for cooking. Make sure to keep the skins on, as they will add extra flavor during the cooking process.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, mix the orange juice, cloves, allspice, and the cinnamon stick. Stir until combined and let the mixture heat up until it starts to bubble gently.
- Add the quartered apples to the saucepan and bring everything to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and allow the mixture to simmer for 30 to 45 minutes. Keep an eye on it, and stir occasionally until the apples are softened through.
- After simmering, remove the mixture from the heat and let it cool for a bit. This will prevent any burns while processing. You can process the mixture through a food mill or push it through a sieve to separate the peels, seeds, and spices.
- Pour the processed apple mixture into your Crock Pot. This will be the base for your apple butter. Prop the lid of the Crock Pot using chopsticks or knives to allow steam to escape. This is an important step as it helps the apple butter to cook down properly.
- Heat the Crock Pot on high for one hour. This initial high heat helps to kickstart the cooking process.
- After an hour, reduce the heat to low and let it cook for 8 to 10 hours. Stir occasionally, but don’t worry if you miss a few stirs. Just make sure it doesn’t burn. The apple butter should develop a nice, smooth consistency and a beautiful brown color.
- Once it reaches your desired thickness, stir in the sugar. You might need a little more or less depending on the sweetness of your apples. Allow it to cook on low for another half hour, letting the sugar dissolve completely.
- Finally, pour your lovely apple butter into jars and enjoy! If canning, leave a quarter-inch headspace and process jars in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes to seal properly.
Notes
Extra tips or suggestions here.