Growing up in the foothills of New York State’s Adirondack mountains, when fall arrived we were surrounded by apples galore. A favorite apple story of mine was recanted by my dear cousin. Apparently, one of our aunts asked her sister if she had the apple pie recipe of one of their other sisters. Our aunt Esther summarily and succinctly responded, “I think she uses macs.” That’s how folks rolled back then in those parts and apple season was a highly anticipated time.
Yet for all the varieties of apples we had in our midst, all the cider that we had cranked out at the Burrville Cider Mill from apples off our own trees, and all the pies we enjoyed that were made from our apples, there was one apple delicacy that we had to cross the Canadian border in order to get: Apple Butter.
While I was putting this together, which could hardly be less complicated, I could not help but wonder if my folks were aware how easy this is to make. Granted, crock pots weren’t marketed until around 1971 and took a while to come into vogue. Still, this recipe for apple butter and countless others serve as stark reminders of the usefulness of our slow cookers. Today, it’s hard to imagine any kitchen without one.
As I mentioned, we did consider apple butter a delicacy – to the point that I grew up thinking that it was made exclusively in Canada. Thus, the 2 hour or so journey to the birthplace of my great-grandfather, the namesake for our oldest son, was made once or twice each year. These visits usually occurred in the fall and lasted a week or so while my parents made their rounds, visiting and staying with one cousin of theirs or another. Every time we crossed the border on the trip back from Ontario to New York, we always brought with us the memories of a lifetime. And apple butter. Happy fall to you. -Dan
Never Miss Another Platter Talk Recipe
- Approximately 3 lb. apples
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 tsp. nutmeg
- ½ tsp. allspice
- ½ tsp. cloves
- Dash of salt
- ¾ cup water or fresh apple cider
- Fill Crock-pot ¾ full with cored and sliced apples.
- Add the remaining ingredients and stir until evenly mixed.
- Cover and cook on low setting overnight or until the butter is of a thick, spreadable consistency.
- Use immersion blender to purée and incorporate skins into the apple butter.
- If apple butter has too much liquid, remove lid and cook on high until thickened. Stir often as butter thickens to prevent scorching.
Use immersion blender to purée and incorporate skins into the apple butter.
Store in refrigerator for up to 6 weeks. Freeze for longer storage.
Variation: For a less sweet apple butter, substitute 1 cup honey for the sugar.
Your apple butter looks so great and I love the idea of using an immersion blender. Thanks for sharing your recipe!
I just loved this post. So well written and your captured those apple memories in such a way my heart was touched. By the way, the apple butter recipe is wonderful.
So much deliciousness…and naturally I loved reading your wonderful post!
Apple butter in the slow cooker? Brilliant idea! Love the idea of this — thanks.
I have just recently become a fan of apple butter. That’s because I finally ate some homemade apple butter. What a difference. It’s like the difference of store bought applesauce and homemade. So I know I will love this slow cooked version.
I love the idea of using the slow cooker to make apple butter- one of our favorite fall dishes. Thank you so much for sharing at Share It One More Time.
Wow, I love apple butter… I’ll definitely have to try this! Doing it in the slow cooker is just great 🙂
Thanks, Amanda. You’ll enjoy the finished product, I’m sure!
Slow cookers are so versatile! I cannot wait to try this and stock up for the winter!
-Katherine
kingsbakery.blogspot.com/
Thanks for your comments, Katherine; this one’s a keeper!
G’day Looks great Dan! All blog comments appreciated and sharing is caring today!
Cheers! Joanne @ What’s On The List #SayGdayParty pinned
Oh my! Yummy. Pinned and tweeted. Lou Lou Girls
I love this stuff. I make it a lot. Here is my guilty pleasure. A little bowl- about a 1/2 cup of apple butter with a tablespoon of sour cream stirred in. Dah-licious! I put about half the amount of sugar though. (this is how I tell myself it is okay to eat a 1/2 cup of apple butter with sour cream).
Delicious, I made apple butter regular stove not tried with slow cooker, need to try it.
Swathi, give this a try. You won’t believe how simple and tasty it is to enjoy!
This would be so good for my morning toast!
Absolutely, Sara!
I love apple butter, but have never tried making it from scratch! Such a great idea, and even just by the photos I can tell how flavorful this one is. Thanks for the inspiration!
Willow, thanks so much for stopping by Platter Talk and taking the time to comment on this wonderful fall spread. We hope you try it this season!
You are my savior! My mum gave me like 40 pounds of apples and I didn’t know what to do with them. Apple juice gives me acid reflux, so I’ll go with apple butter. Thanks for the idea!
Jovita, I’m happy and envious, from your wonderful comments! Our apple production this year is not going to be up to par so we will need to rely on produce stands and folks like your mum who have an abundance of apples this fall. We hope you will put them to good use this way, I know you will love the results! Thanks so much for stopping by Platter Talk.
I’d love to have some of this spread onto these pumpkin bagels I picked up the other day, Sounds like an amazing Fall breakfast. This apple butter looks amazing!
Mama, I love where you’re going with this, don’t stop!!! Thanks so much for stopping by Patter Talk.
You guys always with the best and easy recipes!!!
That’s exactly what I needed. This year in our country is the best in a decade talking about apple production, so I don’t know what to do with all of them! Now I know where I am using at least part of those apples, thanks!
I love my slow cooker apple butter, always delicious and so good on toast or stirred into oatmeal.
Do try and experiment with different types of apples – it makes a massive difference to the final dish.
I’m digging all the spices used in this apple butter – definitely a taste of fall!
I so so love me a good apple butter – and make it quite often – but never in a crockpot! I cannot wait to try this – thanks Dan!
I haven’t had apple butter in forever — and {embarrassed} have never made one. This sounds delicious — thank you for sharing the recipe!
Hi Lisa, I hope you give this one a try soon!
I am always a fan of slow cooker recipes! This looks wonderful! There are so many things I can think of using this apple butter on. Yum!
Thanks Kim, we love this!
For me, fall is apples and apple butter in the slow cooker is my absolute favorite way to make it! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Renee, we love this any time of year!
This is such an essential recipe this time of year! So much flavor. Love it.
Thanks, Michelle! We love making this apple butter and I think you will love it!