AMAZING APPLE BUTTER
Makes 6 cups
5 pounds Granny Smith apples (about 10 large apples)
2 cups granulated sugar
1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
Prep Day: Peel, core and coarsely dice the apples, placing them in the crock of a 6-quart slow cooker. Add sugar and cinnamon. Cover and cook on low for 10 hours.
Uncover and continue to cook on low heat for another 2 hours or until desired consistency is achieved. Most large chunks of the apple should dissolve and the overall effect will be like soft, slightly grainy butter. (Cook’s note: If you have an automatic slow cooker, you’ll need to reset the timer for 2 more hours on low. The ”warm” setting is not sufficient to finish the apple butter.)
Allow the apple butter to cool before placing in airtight containers. Refrigerate or freeze until ready to use. It keeps covered and sealed in the refrigerator for up to a week, in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Serve Day: Thaw frozen apple butter in the refrigerator before using.
Nutrition Facts: Per tablespoon: 26 calories (1 percent from fat), trace fat (0 saturated), 0 cholesterol, 0 g protein, 7 g carbohydrates, trace dietary fiber, 0 sodium.
Uses for Apple Butter…
Apple butter is a delectable spread that is traditionally made from a mixture of apples, sugar and spices. It is usually dark brown in color and is thicker and sweeter than apple sauce. There are many uses for apple butter that deliciously span all three daily meals.
Toast – Apple butter serves as a scrumptious topping on plain or buttered toast or rolls.
Pancakes – Apple butter can be served as a replacement for maple syrup on pancakes or crepes.
Pork – Apple butter serves as a tasty glaze for pork. Brush on the apple butter prior to cooking and then serve the pork with more apple butter spooned on top. My favorite way to use it!
Frosting – Apple butter makes a flavorful frosting for spice or apple cakes. Just bake the cake, cool it completely, spread on a layer of apple butter and serve. Or for a cozy alternative, slice the cake warm, place in bowls and spoon apple butter over the top.
Sandwich – Spread apple butter on bread and top with turkey or ham and cheese, lettuce and purple onions for a sweet and spicy sandwich.
Northerly Nosh 