Deborahs Best Crockpot Apple Butter Recipes

Steps:

• Place apples in slow cooker in thirds, layering sugar between each layer.
• Add rest of ingredients on top and pack them down as well as you can.
• Cover and cook on high for 1 hour.
• Reduce heat to low. Open and give it a stir. Keep covered and cook 8 hours or until thick and dark brown, stirring occasionally. (You can do this overnight and can in the morning).
• Uncover and cook for the last hour on low.
• If a smoother apple butter is desired, you may puree in blender or food mill.
• Place in sterile jars with lids and process for 10 minutes in hot water bath or you can freeze.
• Note: For more information on canning, you can go to the "Canning Forum" on recipezaar for instructions or to have questions answered.

Steps:

• Pour 141 oz. of applesauce (3 large containers, leaving 1 for later), apple juice concentrate and spices all into a crockpot, stir. Make a vent by placing two wooden spoons across the top of the crockpot bowl, then put cover on top of wooden spoons. This way the steam can be released and the apples can cook down. (tip- put a towel or cloth around the counter as it might splatter a bit).
• Stir and turn down to low and let simmer overnight (at least 10 hours).
• Stir. By now the applesauce should be brown and reduced a bit. Add the remaining jug of applesauce (47 oz), put cover back on wooden spoons and turn the heat up to High. Let it cook another 4-6 hours. Now the apple butter is complete. If you like it silky smooth, you can take an immersion hand blender and run it through the apple butter, churning it and getting the texture very fine. If that's not preferred, it's completely fine to eat as is.
• Put hot apple butter into sterilized, hot jars (wash and bake them at 225* for 20 minutes) and put lids on. Put in a boiling bath for 10-15 minutes, take out and drain on a rack or thick towel. Test all the tops to make sure they're tightly sealed and don't "pop" when you press down on them. Enjoy!