Saturday, August 30, 2008

I Did It!

I canned today - for the first time ever! The kids and I picked apples in a neighbor's yard yesterday so I made apple butter. It was so easy - you've got to try it. It's a small recipe so it was a good way for me to give canning a try. Here's the recipe:

Crock Pot Apple Butter

3 quarts apples (peeled and sliced thin)
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
3 cups sugar

Put the apples in the crock pot and cook them over night. (The directions said on high but the apples were burning, so I used low.) In the morning add the spices and sugar. Stir well and continue to cook all day. At some point in the day, strain the butter to get out any core bits you may have missed. Use the back of a spoon to squish the mixture through the screen to get that nice apple butter texture. If it seems too watery, just cook with the lid off for a couple of hours. I stirred every time I happened to walk by which was probably every two to three hours.

When you are happy with the texture go ahead and can, freeze, or whatever floats your boat.

Yield: 4 pints


I'd love to tell you where the recipe came from, but I can't remember where my husband found it. Sorry - it was online somewhere. K tried some on her bread tonight, but I think she prefers papa's honey. That's O.K. that just means that there's more for me...

12 comments:

cathleen said...

Wow! I am very impressed. You did such a great job and don't you think the jars are pretty lined up beside each other? Give yourself a huge pat on the back because canning is really quite an accomplishment.

cinnamongirl93 said...

I also love to can. Apple butter is one of my families favorites. There is something so wonderful about opening a jar of summer in the middle of winter. You get a flood of memories not to mention the taste of the fruit of ones hands, Enjoy!

Anonymous said...

Mmmm...would love to try some on toast now.

Shannon said...

mmmm.............. my mouth is WATERING!!!

Amanda Jean said...

way to go! I made some apple butter last year and the kids LOVED it. (me, too.)

Brenda said...

Our family loves apple butter. I really want to make this.

Jeanette said...

I absolutely adore apple butter! My mom used to make it when I was little and I loved to eat it on waffles (I don't like syrup). She hasn't made it since my grandparents ripped their orchard out =0(

I may have to try it this year, I am still feeling strong from my strawberry jam success this spring LOL

Tara said...

I made jelly and jam for the first time this year and scored a bunch of canning equipment on the cheap, so I'm in business. Apple butter is next for us. This crock pot option sounds wonderful. Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Mmmmmm.... I love apple butter! Since I have no where to pick apples, how much do you think 3 quarts is at the supermarket???

I have yet to can anything. Maybe this will be my first project!

muralimanohar said...

I am askeered to can. :p I have visions of exploding bottles, and penicillin cultures in my cupboard.

I made apple butter ages ago (since I've been married...we made it more frequently when I was still living at home), and I was the only one who ate it. That was a lot of apple butter to get through. I managed, though!! lol

misschris said...

I love apple butter. I think I'm going to have to try this, too. Even though I'm scared, as well...

Good for you!!!

Zac and Elizabeth said...

Mrs. Burt - I have to say it really is a small world. I was on the crockpot 365 blog today looking at the comments for the orange chicken recipe, when I saw someone had posted a link to an apple butter recipe. I followed the link to get the recipe and discovered your blog. Can't wait to try this recipe, it sounds yummy! You are so crafty!

Elizabeth Woodard (Tizzie Bush)