Slow Cooked, Chunky, Spicy Apple Butter
Technically, I suppose, apple butter is smooth. I originally made this recipe last winter and pureed it afterward. Since, however, my main use for this particular condiment is in my morning oatmeal, I have found I much prefer it to be left chunky. Recipe is adapted from one I found at The Art of Homemaking.
SLOW COOKED CHUNKY, SPICY APPLE BUTTER
Apples enough to fill a crock pot–about 10-12 good sized apples.
2 T cinnamon
5-6 whole cloves
1 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 vanilla bean, scraped and broken into pieces
6-8 oz hard apple cider
Wash, core, and peel the apples. Slice them into good size slices and fill the crock pot. Add the spices, salt and cider, and cook on low for 18-24 hours. Smell it like every good thing all night long, and stir sometimes to keep the spices moving. When they’re very dark and soft, use a potato masher or two butter knives to break the apples into small chunks. Ladle into jars and freeze, or if you eat it as fast as we do, just pile the jars in the back of the fridge. Also very good on French toast or buckwheat pancakes.
Do you have an easy winter recipe to share with us?
I’m going to try this recipe, for sure.
I do have a ‘tip’ for apple pie/crisp recipes. For the apple fillings, instead of adding flour to the apples to stave of excess juices, try 1/3 to 1/2 c. of granola in the mixture. It adds flavor and texture to the recipe.
Good tip, Ruthie. Thanks!
Barbara, when I saw this recipe my eyes lit up and I involuntarily breathed OOOOOOH at my computer screen. But I knew I only had 2 apples! Then on Wednesday a friend gave me a HUGE box of fruit, apples & oranges, and I am preparing to make this lovely sounding and I am sure incredible tasting recipe today for New Year’s Day~I can’t think of a better way to start 2010 (other than possibly winning the lottery….hehehe)
My favorite easy winter recipe this year has been dried pinto beans, soaked & simmered in the crock pot with a ham hock. Cooking the beans with the bones has added incredible flavor & depth to the sauce. Other than my yearly Turkey Soup on Black Friday, I haven’t cooked with bones and was simply shocked at how much the marrow contributes. You probably know this one already, but it is so cheap, easy & good.
Sounds delicious, but why is it called Apple Butter? Is it an American thing?
fall ’09 I picked pears from a friend’s tree that was loaded.
I made pear marmalade and pear butter.
gave away several for christmas
must try my pear butter tomorrow on my oatmeal.
thanks for the tip