APPLE PICKING TIME !!!

The Season of Content.

One of my favorite things on a chilly fall morning is warm bread with apple butter, and since I saw my breath the other morning as I let the dog out - it would seem the time is right! I decided this year to try making my own apple butter ! Since I know how to make apple sauce, it only seems right to take the next step. The butter takes more patience though - it's one of those things that should stew in the crock pot most of the day, making your house smell wonderful.

First - start with your own applesauce:

1 quart Apples (peeled and sliced)
1 cup Water
1/2 cup Sugar
1 tsp. Lemon Juice
Cinnamon to suite taste

1/4 tsp vanilla

slight pinch of nutmeg to suit taste

Preparation:
Put all the ingredients in a pot for about 30 minutes and cook until tender. Mash the mixture with a mixer or potato masher to the consistancy that suits you. Place in an airtight container in the refrigerator till cool. Enjoy !

Now - For the APPLE BUTTER: :)

You need a 5 quart crock pot!

4 quarts of applesauce
1 C. apple cider
1 Tbs. ground cinnamon
1 Tbs, ground cloves
2 Tsp. nutmeg
1 1/2 C. sugar (more if you like really sweet apple butter)

Fill the crock pot (to 1 inch from the top) with the applesauce.

Stir in the remaining ingredients.

Cover, and cook in the crock pot on low for 8-10 hours.

Check after about 8 hours - the amount will have cooked down considerably -

Stir well. Simmer a few more hours until the applesauce has reduced down to a nice thich brown butter, and your entire neighborhood smells like apple pie! If desired, use a mixer to blend the apple butter into a smooth creamy texture - although some people like it a bit chunky - so go with your own taste. It makes a lovely fall gift in a pretty jar, and of course it is just yummy on warm bread!

I'll try this recipe out - and let you know how it goes!

Enjoy !!!