Make your own healthy apple butter with no added sugar using a slow cooker to draw out the sweetness of the apples! You can put apple butter on toast, in oatmeal, as a pancake topping, on a charcuterie board, or brushed on chicken at the end of its cooking time! It can also be given as a thoughtful homemade gift to those you love.
INGREDIENTS
6 medium apples (choose a sweet variety like Gala or Honeycrisp)
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (or water)
1/2 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
pinch of sea salt
INSTRUCTIONS
Place cored and sliced apples (not peeled) into a large slow cooker or crock-pot.
Add apple cider vinegar (or water) and spices. Stir all ingredients together, cover and let it cook for 5-6 hours on low.
The liquid will reduce and the apples will be very soft, dark in color and smell heavenly. Turn the slow cooker off and then use an immersion blender to puree the apples until smooth. Another option is to carefully transfer the apples to a blender and blend until completely smooth.
Once the apples are pureed, turn the slow cooker on high and heat the apple butter for 1-2 hours, uncovered. This will help it thicken and caramelize.
Once the apple butter is the consistency you like, turn off the slow cooker and let the apple butter cool for 30 minutes before transferring into airtight containers for storage. Let the apple butter cool completely in the containers or jars before placing in the fridge.
For storage: apple butter will keep in the fridge for up to 3 weeks or up to a year the Freezer.
Recipe and Photo courtesy of: EatingBirdFood