The Best Apple Butter Recipe (No Peeling!)

• servings: Makes 8 | 1/2 pts.
• active time: 15 minutes
• total time: 12 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients

5 ½ lbs soft, sweet apples (see note 1) (Cored and chopped into small pieces, about ¼")

1 cup brown sugar (firmly packed)

¾ cup granulated sugar

1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon salt

⅛ teaspoon ground cloves

1 vanilla bean (may substitute 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract)

Directions

Slice apples into small pieces (about ¼") and dispose of cores (you do not need to peel the apples).

Place apples in the basin of large slow cooker

In a medium-sized bowl stir together sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and cloves until well-combined.

Pour sugar mixture over apple pieces and stir until well combined.

Place lid on crockpot and cook on low heat for 10 hours.

Once 10 hours has elapsed, use an immersion blender to puree apples until smooth and no chunks remain (see note 2 if you do not have an immersion blender).

Scrape the inside of the vanilla bean into your apple puree (or add vanilla extract).

Turn crockpot on to low heat and cook another 2 hours uncovered, stirring occasionally.

Can (see notes) or Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container, where it will keep about 2 weeks.

Makes 8 | 1/2 pts

Notes

Ladle hot apple butter into a hot jar leaving a ¼ inch headspace. Remove air bubbles. Wipe jar rim. Center lid on jar and apply band, adjust to fingertip tight. Place jar in boiling water canner. Repeat until all jars are filled.

Process jars 15 minutes, adjusting for altitude. Turn off heat, remove lid, let jars stand 5 minutes. Remove jars and cool 12-24 hours, listen for the pop to know they are sealed. Check lids for seal 12 hours later, they should not flex when center is pressed.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 0.25 cup
• Calories: 75 kcal
• Total Fat: 1 g
• Sodium: 36 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 18 g
• Total Sugars: 17 g