Fall is the season for harvesting apples. Now is the time to make apple butter to can and store for the winter months. Apple butter on hot toast is a delicious treat on a cold winter day. Apple butter makes an excellent Christmas gift. Select one of the varieties of soft apples for the butter such as McIntosh, Liberty, Fuji or Grimes Golden. Other varieties may be utilized, but will take longer to cook down.

Supplies:

• 6 Pounds of Apples 
• 2 Cups of Sugar
• 1 tsp. Cinnamon
• ¼ tsp. Cloves
• ¼ tsp. Salt
• Bowls
• Canning Jars, Seals and Rings 
• Funnel
• Jar Lifter (comes with most canners)
• Large Pot
• Paring Knife
• Slow Cooker
• Towels 
• Water Canner
• Whisk
• Wood Spoon

Instructions:

1. Sterilize jars, seals and rings in advance per instructions on water canner. 
2. Peel all apples and remove the core. 
3. Slice the apples into the crockpot. 
4. Combine sugar, cinnamon, cloves and salt in a bowl and stir. 
5. Pour dry sugar mixture over apples in crockpot. 
6. Cover and cook over night. (Approximately 10 hours) Cook for one hour on high and then turn down to low. Leaving the crockpot lid ajar will allow the butter to thicken. The lid may be removed for the final hour to further thicken the apple butter. 
7. Stir apples with a spoon and when soft enough stir with a whisk. The apple butter will become dark. 
8. Fill the canning jars with apple butter. Leave about ¼ inch space near the top of each jar empty. 
9. Wipe the edges of the jar clean with a cloth. 
10. Add the seals and rings to the jars. 
11. Fill canner half full with warm water. 
12. Add the jars filled with apple butter to the rack and place in canner. Place lid on canner. 
13. Heat water in canner to a boil. Allow to boil for 10 minutes. 
14. Turn heat off stove eye and uncover canner. Allow the jars to sit in water bath for 5 minutes. 
15. Remove jars from water bath and place on dish towel to cool. 
16. Check lids for the next 12 to 24 hours for a good seal. 
17. If seal did not take either reprocess or place in refrigerator to be eaten soon.

*Photo courtesy of Apple Butter by JeffreyW on Flickr’s Creative Commons.