Apple Butter Recipe by Sam in Sugar Spun Run

Ingredients

• 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) soft, sweet apples (see note 1) Cored and chopped into small pieces, about ¼”
• 1 cup (200 g) brown sugar firmly packed
• ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
• 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 vanilla bean (may substitute 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract)

Directions

1. Prepare the Apples: Slice apples into small pieces (about ¼-inch thick), discarding the cores. There’s no need to peel the apples. Use 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) of soft, sweet apples.
2. Place in Slow Cooker: Transfer the apple pieces to the basin of a large slow cooker.
3. Mix Spices and Sugars: In a medium bowl, combine brown sugar, sugar, cinnamon, salt, and ground cloves. Stir until the mixture is evenly blended.
4. Combine with Apples: Pour the sugar and spice mixture over the apple pieces and stir well to coat.
5. Cook Initial Batch: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low heat for 10 hours.
6. Blend: After 10 hours, use an immersion blender to puree the apples directly in the slow cooker until smooth and no chunks remain.
7. Note: If you don’t have an immersion blender, transfer the mixture in batches to a blender and puree until smooth.
8. Add Vanilla: Scrape the seeds from 1 vanilla bean (or use vanilla extract) into the apple puree and stir to incorporate.
9. Cook Uncovered: Continue cooking on low heat for 2 more hours, uncovered, stirring occasionally.
10. Store: Once the apple butter has cooled, transfer it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.