easy apple butter

easy apple butter
makes 12 half pints
for more help on canning, see here

20 peeled, cored and sliced apples, i use this tool {note: it is best to use several varieties of apples}
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup apple cider (or water)
1 lemon, grate the peel and reserve juice
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup light or dark brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
4 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt

directions
place all ingredients in a crockpot (including lemon peel and juice). stir to mix ingredients and coat apples. cook on high for 4 hours, stirring every 30 minutes or so. once apples are dark brown and very mushy, scoop {in batches} into your blender and pulsate until there are no clumps. transfer to your pre-washed {see here if you need directions} canning jars.

canning directions
canning is very simple. i use this pot and these tools. if you've never canned, read through the two sites i linked above. it's simple, though. wash and thoroughly dry your jars and lids. fill with apple butter to under the rim {do not over fill}. with a damp cloth, wipe down sides {clean up any spills} and place lid on jar. tighten, but don't over tighten. heat your water and once at a rolling boil, place your jars onto the canning rack, lower into the water {you want the water to cover at least 2 inches of jar} and leave boiling. put the lid on the pot. boil for 20-25 minutes. remove jars and set on a towel. once they have cooled enough to handle, touch the lid and make sure it doesn't "pop" - it is sealed when there is no movement in the lid. remove the outer ring. dry with a cloth. let sit overnight and then put the ring back on the jar. i usually add burlap to the jar tops but i haven't done that yet. i've read several times, now, that you are not supposed to store the jars with a fabric covered lid for mold reasons. so i wrap right before i give them away {unless you are gwen; you got it fresh from the sealer!}.

darby has a great pictorial of how to do this, too. let me know if you try this recipe! it's delicious.

i put apple butter on anything and everything: cottage cheese, english muffins, peanut butter and honey sandwich, vanilla ice cream, pound cake, baked brie {check back for my recipe after thanksgiving} ... it's delicious and it works for me! a simple, thrifty and yummy gift anyone is bound to enjoy! {did i mention it is fat free and full of apples?}

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