Maple Sweetened Apple Butter

Maple Sweetened Apple Butter

Sweetening with maple syrup provides a rich depth of sweetness, but it is not overly sweet. Delicious on pancakes, toast ,or homemade biscuits. Apple butter is also a great seasonal accompaniment for a cheese board (try it with an aged cheddar, soft brie, or a tangy chèvre).

This apple butter reduces down slowly in your slow cooker. Just add all the ingredients in a slow cooker in the morning and finish it at night, or if it’s easier for your schedule you can start it before you go to bed and wake up to an almost-cooked apple butter, with just a bit of finishing time.

INGREDIENTS: For a 5-6 quart slow cooker (you can easily halve the recipe for smaller cookers):

8 pounds apples peeled, cored, and quartered

1 1/4 cups pure maple syrup

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon cinnamon, more to taste if you love cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon allspice 

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves and/or nutmeg, optional depending on how much spice you like

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Prepare the apples, place them right in the slow cooker as you peel, core, and quarter them.

2. Add all the remaining ingredients and stir well.

3. Cook on HIGH, covered, 1 hour.

4. Reduce to LOW, stir again, and cook, covered, for 8-9 hours (overnight works great).

5. Uncover, stir, and cook on HIGH for 1 hour to reduce a bit, leaving the lid completely off or halfway on cooker.

6. Use an immersion blender right in the slow cooker, blend until smooth. Continue to cook uncovered on HIGH until desired thickness. (about 30-40 min.) You’ll want a thicker, jam-like consistency for apple butter. Check by letting fall from a spoon ( slowly is the goal) or placing a spoonful in a small plate to see if it keeps it shape a bit.