Making apple butter is a hallmark of Appalachian cooking.
Home cooks dried andfried them, pressed them into cider, and stored them in cellars.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
What Is Apple Butter?
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Then, the mixture is usually blended or mashed until it is close to smooth and spreadable.
Typically, apple butter is spread over biscuits, toast, or pancakes.
Slow-Cooker Apple Butter Ingredients
Apple butter is easier than pie!
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Start with5 pounds of mixed apples.
What Goes With Apple Butter?
Use a dollop to add a touch of sweetness to fall vinaigrettes and marinades.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Serve with roastedpork chopsortenderloin.
Stir it into oatmeal for the perfect autumnal start to your day.
How To Gift Apple Butter
Homemade apple butter makes an easy and delicious holiday or host gift.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Do You Have To Use a Slow Cooker To Make Apple Butter?
Like syrup making, preparing apple butter once was a seasonal community event.
After many hours of tending the pots, they were rewarded with delicious caramel-colored apple butter.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
This method for Crockpot apple butter is not as labor-intensive, but you get the same delicious results.
Who Inspired This Apple Butter Recipe?
Walter Harrill ofImladris Farmin Spring Mountain, N.C., is well acquainted with this tradition.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Today, he continues the custom with a few modern adaptations.
Harrill follows his grandmother’s method, which he sells to the public (imladrisfarm.com).
We adapted his recipe using a mix of sweet and tart apples.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Place apple cubes and 1 1/2 cups of the sugar in a 6-quart slow cooker.
Cover and cook on HIGH 6 hours.
Add spices:
Stir in cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and remaining 1 1/2 cups sugar.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Cover; cook on LOW until apples are very soft, 4 hours.
Blend apple butter:
Place half of apple mixture in a blender.
Secure lid on blender, and remove center piece to allow steam to escape.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Place a clean towel over opening.
Pulse until smooth or to desired texture; repeat with remaining apple mixture.
Blender Tip
Alternatively, you could use an immersion blender to blend the apple mixture.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Place the immersion blender in the slow cooker, and blend until smooth and spreadable.
Cool and store:
Cool completely.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 1 month.
