Saturday, October 3, 2009

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 !!!

8 comments:

  1. I love apple butter -and pumpkin butter too!

    Enjoy the full moon!

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  2. I'm a huge Apple Butter fan...but, I just get it at Der Dutchman...an Amish Kitchen. If they were open today, I would surely go get some!
    Reading Rue's comment...I've never heard of Pumpkin Butter!!

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  3. I love the smell of Apple Butter as its cooking. Makes me think of my grandma... Yum...

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  4. Oh, I bet your home smells delicious! I love apple butter. I buy a tiny jar every fall if I can find it,since I am the only one who likes it ~ so yummy spread on homemade bread!

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  5. Oh it sounds wonderful.....
    Thank you for sharing the recipe.

    Happy October Blog Party!

    Have a beautiful day

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  6. That takes me back to my childhood when I helped my Mom make Apple Butter! Yum!
    Stop by my blog if you get a chance - I have an award for you.

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  7. Oh they sound wonderful and yummy! I think I need a Apple Butter fix!

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  8. Oh Gosh! I can just smell it!!! wonderful!!

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