Apple Butter it Is!

I told you I would teach you how to make apple butter,

and I bet you were wondering if I really would do it,

so here it is, in time to make Christmas gifts.......

Now, when I did my apple butter,  I had two bushels of apples.

I know you are thinking;  I would never want to do that many apples.....

but!  You don't have too.  You can use this method with a smaller amount of apples...

To Begin:

Go through your apples, 

remove the bad and wash the good......

then cut in half and place in something to cook....

I used a roaster, but if you are making a smaller batch.... use a crock pot.....

You could even bake them in a roaster in the oven. 

Let the apples cook for a while.... like hours......

they need to be soft and mushy.....

honestly.... mine cooked for days! 

It wasn't because I needed to let them cook that long..

I was too busy to stop and finish the process..... 

After they cooked,  I squashed them through a sieve.....

but if you are making a smaller batch to try....

peel and core your apples before you cook them.....

then use a mixer and blend them up that way....

The sieve is to separate the pulp from the seeds, skins, and core....

It is amazing how much apple pulp you have and how little waste you have....

This is my waste for the whole roaster of apples........

You then put the apple pulp back into the roaster, or crock pot to let it cook down...

You add alot of brown sugar and even more cinnamon.....

You could add a touch of cloves or ginger...

whatever is your personal taste....

Let it cook down until it reaches the consistency you like....

We like ours really thick......

Once you complete that you can ladle your butter into clean jars.....

It lasts a very long time in the refrigerator....

If you are interested in canning them,

let me know and I will post  how to do that.

I was able to can about 24 quart jars.... 

Did I mention, my family LOVES apple butter.

Love,

Catrina