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Monday, October 28, 2013

Apple Butter

The Mister brought home two huge cases of apples
that were left over from a promotional event at work.
They were Red Delicious, which isn't our favorite eating
apple, so I thought I'd make apple butter with them.
It was on my Fall Fun To Do List, too!

Apple Butter just sounds like fall, doesn't it?
This was a really yummy recipe and we've enjoyed it on toast,
muffins, apple bread...even spread on a pumpkin pancakes!



I canned most of it, since I had so much to make.
22 lbs of apples made 24 half-pint jars!
I'm thinking they will make nice little Christmas gifts.


I made simple labels and attached them with double sided tape.


The little jars I got at Wal-mart.
They were the generic brand and very inexpensive.


I'm loving the color!


We had a business dinner to attend at the boss's home
this evening.  I wrapped one up a little extra special to
take for a hostess gift.

The recipe I adapted from several I looked at online,
and this is what I came up with...
This recipe makes just 1/4 of the amount I made,
so it's a great amount if you're canning just for your family.

Betsy's Apple Butter

5.5 lbs apples, peeled, cored, and roughly chopped
1 c white sugar
1 c extra dark brown sugar
2 heaping t's of cinnamon
1/2 t ground cloves
1/2 t allspice
1/4 t salt

Place all the ingredients in a large saucepan.
Stir well.  Bring to a boil over med high heat
and stir to combine until sugars are melted.
Reduce heat and cover.  Simmer for 8-10 hours,
stirring occasionally until mixture is thick and brown.
This can also be done in a crock pot.

Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Puree in batches in a blender and return to heat.
Or a wand blender right in the pot would be great.

Simmer uncovered about 1 hour until a
spoonful on a saucer doesn't form a water ring.

Bring to rolling boil if canning and follow normal
canning procedures.

At this point, it's ready for canning or to put in sterile
jars and refrigerate.

Enjoy!





52 comments:

  1. I'd really like to have some right about now!

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  2. They're beautiful and will make wonderful gifts!
    I made crock pot apple butter several years back, when we still had a few apple trees up close to the house.
    I should have given more of it away as there are still several jars left in my jelly cupboard.
    Red Delicious aren't our favorite either but I hear they great for drying.

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    Replies
    1. I've never dried apples...I should try that! I still have lots of these apples left!

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  3. Those gift recipients will be very fortunate to receive a gift from your kitchen and from your heart.
    Ann

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Ann...I love receiving gifts like this! I hope they like them, too!

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  4. I love this and love the color too:)

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    Replies
    1. Aren't they pretty? I love watching them turn dark as they cook. :)

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  5. YUM! I've helped cut apples at church that they turn into applesauce and apple butter for our yearly sausage supper, but I've never done it myself.

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    Replies
    1. I usually make applesauce...it's so good homemade. But I still have 4-5 jars from last year. This was a fun new project!
      Apples and sausage...yum...I love that combination!

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  6. They look beautiful in those wee jars...Walmart,eh?
    The bow looks very splashy...lovely gift ♥
    Hope you had a great day...

    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The bow was like the makeup, right? hahaha....Oh, we could take this on forever! ;)

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    2. And I think we should!!!
      We'll teach them a thing or three!!!
      Mess with us....and our make-up,eh?
      Ha!

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  7. Delicious! I'll bet the house smelled good while the apples cooked with those yummy spices! And what darling little jars!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep,,,you're right! The house smelled so good...and it was great that it lasted all day! I loved the little jars...what a great deal!

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  8. You are right, the color is just wonderful, and my mouth was watering looking at your toast. Love the way you dressed it up for the gift. I'm so looking forward to Christmas and making homemade gifts. Your ideas really help me. Those little jars are perfect. Will be sure to look at our WalMart.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yeah...I loved the jars....perfect size for giving. I'm trying to think of what else I could put in them for gifts. They look so fun, I want to use them for other things! Some kind of homemade spa treatment...sugar scrub or facial. That would be a fun gift!
      Or homemade taco seasoning would fit in that....

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    2. I saw something on fb that might work for the little jars. hot chocolate mix with marshmellows in layers. A thought! I like the idea of taco seasoning or even homemade salsa. You've got me thinking!!!

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    3. Great ideas...they will look so cute tucked in your baskets!

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  9. It sounds delicious, Betsy. I love apple butter and used to buy it all the time when I went upstate NY apple picking with my children. It is expensive where I live now --$8 for a small jar!

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  10. if you need my address just let me know....
    hehe...very cute jars....even tastier looking apple butter....yum

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  11. I bet that was gratefully received by your host!What a thoughtful and creative gift! I really like the spoon stamp!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was...they are such sweet people....very caring and always ask about our boys and actively involved in our kid's lives. Best boss ever. :) I'm pretty sure that spoon stamp came from the thrift store!

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  12. They are so cute! What a great gift idea.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought they were cute...and it's nice to have something ready for Christmas already!

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  13. Great job there Betsy, love the labels and the little spoon stamp, bet your gift was well received, it looked very smart with the bow and all! Hope you have a great week. xx

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    Replies
    1. making the jars look cute is the funnest part! ha.

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  14. Hi Betsy .. love the sound of apple butter .... I've made (years ago!) damson cheese .. that's a thick spread ... your apple butter seems to have more choices of use ... and spoon in a pork dish would add a change of flavour .. delicious thought! Cheers Hilary

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    Replies
    1. damson cheese....now that sounds tasty! I'll have to look that up!

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  15. Oh wow!! Wish I came to your dinner! LOL!! What a wonderful way to use apples!!! Yay! Take care
    x

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    Replies
    1. I still have a ton of apples! ha. I'm thinking waldorf salad for dinner....

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  16. One of the first times I was over in the USA and had a Cracker Barrel I tried some apple butter and instantly fell in love, I'd never had anything like it before but damn it was incredible! This post makes me want some so much haha.

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    Replies
    1. Funny, isn't it, how different our countries can be...especially when talking about food!

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  17. A lovely and delicious hostess gift!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks, janice....I might have to make some more!

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  18. Never knew there was apple butter
    Still make me mutter
    You went right to town
    Apple butter crown

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  19. You can come over for dinner at our house, anytime! hehe
    Look at you! Over have way through your Fall List!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. well, you know I'd love to! Wish you lived closer! :)
      The list is going well! I need a beautiful day to knock out most of the rest...the leaves, farmer's market and a walk. Maybe this week...I think the leaves are about to peak here!

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  20. First the pantry, now this. Feeling a bit unproductive here, Miss Betsy or should I call you Miss Do it All! Ha! Beautiful results as usual!

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    Replies
    1. haha...thanks anita....so much to do here...trying to do something every day!

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  21. Looks "delicious"! I love the little jars and the labels you made. A very unique gift !

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  22. Would you ship across the pond? I'd love to have a jar of that, lovely lady.

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  23. One of our favorites around here!! We canned up about 15 PINTS of it just a few weeks ago. House smelled great, and our biscuits and toast have never tasted better. Yummmmmy stuff!!

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