Now that fall is starting to make an appearance, I want my house to smell warm and spicy.  Making a batch of slow cooker apple butter is the best way I know to permeate my home with the smells of fall.  Apple, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves make me want to put on a chunky sweater and watch football.  Well, almost.  How about me get comfy on the couch with a good book while the kids and my husband watch football.  That sounds better.

Apple butter is delicious spread on some toast, but also baked into cakes or muffins, on pancakes, even on vanilla ice cream.  Making apple butter in the slow cooker is my favorite way to make a fruit butter.  I think that the slow cooking really brings out the flavor of the spices.  If you like apple, try making my slow cooker pumpkin butter.

Slow Cooker Apple Butter

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Ingredients

• 5 lb Gala apples
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cinnamon stick

Instructions

1. Peel, core and slice apples. In food processor, grate apples (in batches, if needed). Place in slow cooker. Stir in brown sugar, salt and cinnamon stick.
2. Cover; cook on High heat setting 4 hours.
3. Remove and reserve cinnamon stick. In food processor, puree apple mixture (in batches, if needed) until smooth. Return to slow cooker with cinnamon stick.
4. Cook uncovered on High heat setting 4 hours longer, stirring occasionally.
5. Remove and discard cinnamon stick. Cool completely. Transfer butter to jars; seal tightly. Store in refrigerator up to 3 weeks.

by bakedbree