Easy Apple Butter

Ingredients:

• 6-8 medium apples (about 3 lbs), peeled, cored, and chopped (varieties like Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp work well)
• 1 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 cup apple cider or water
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare Apples: Place the chopped apples in a slow cooker.
2. Add Ingredients: Add the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and apple cider (or water). Stir to combine.
3. Cook: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, stirring occasionally, until the apples are soft and the mixture is thickened.
4. Blend: Use an immersion blender to puree the mixture until smooth. If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can transfer it to a regular blender in batches.
5. Final Cook: Return the blended apple mixture to the slow cooker and cook uncovered on low for an additional 1-2 hours to thicken further.
6. Store: Let the apple butter cool before transferring it to sterilized jars. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or can for longer storage.

Tips:

• Taste and adjust the sweetness and spices according to your preference.
• This apple butter is perfect for spreading on toast, muffins, or pancakes!

Enjoy your homemade apple butter!