Fall Is Here

It isn't fall till the annual trip to the apple orchard. I look forward to this every year, the pumpkin picking, hayrides, fresh apples, and of course apple butter. I love it! This year, we made it without any sugar and it still tastes delicious. It is a lot easier than you would think, especially using the crock pot. Plus, the house smells delicous for days.

It is super easy. The only time consuming aspect is a lot of prep peeling and coring A LOT of apples. Once finished, put apples in large pan and heat until good consistency for apple sauce. I don't use any special tools, such as food mills or processors. I merely mash all the apples once soft with a potatoe masher.  Once apple sauce is complete, I separate half to make apple butter and half to keep for the kids apple sauce. The half that will be used for apple butter needs to go into the crock pot and simmer on low heat for 24-40 hours, or until you have it to the consistency and taste you like. It is nice to taste little bites throughout the process.

Once the apple butter is ready go ahead and jar using regular jarring techniques. I recently bought the canning and preserving kit at Target and have enjoyed it.