I LOVE fall. Sweaters, pumpkins, and of course apples. Every year I go apple picking, followed by cider tasting, with my friends. This year I came back with a HUGE haul of apples, which meant it was time to get creative in the kitchen.
I came across this recipe for slow cooker apple butter last year, and finally feel that I’ve perfected it. It’s rich, smooth and tangy, and makes for a really great snack. I also love having it in the morning on toast with peanut butter. And best of all, it’s super easy to make.
I would be remiss at this point not to mention some of the nutritional benefits of apples. We all know the adage “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”. Well, it’s true, apples are pretty darn great. Like many fruits, they are low in calories and high in fibre and Vitamin C. They also contain lots of different phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are naturally-found compounds in plants that do not have nutritive value (like carbs do for example), but do play important biological roles in the body. Specifically, many phytochemicals are linked to disease protection. I won’t get into the details here, but suffice it to say that apple consumption has been linked to reduced risk of many chronic diseases. So yes, apples are a great addition to your diet.
Keep in mind that some apple products, especially those found in the supermarket, have a lot of added sugar in them. This makes them a less ideal choice. When possible, it’s advisable to eat raw apples, make your own applesauce and apple butter, or choose products that are low in sugar or contain no added sugar.
This particular recipe has been adapted to contain a fairly low amount of added sugar. This makes it pretty tangy, especially because I used tart apples. If you prefer a sweeter version, you can slightly increase the sugar you add in or use sweeter apples.
Yield: 20 servings (2 tbsp per serving) | Cook time: 10-12 hours
Ingredients
- 3 pounds (1.4 kg) tart apples (ex. McIntosh, Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and diced
- 1/3 cup white sugar
- 1/2 tbsp cinnamon
- Optional: 1-2 star anise
- Optional: 2-3 cloves or 1/8 tsp ground clove
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients into a slow cooker and stir to combine.
- Cook on low for 10-12 hours, stirring every hour, until the mixture is brown and thick.
- If you used them, remove the star anise and clove.
- Optionally, for a completely smooth consistency, blend with an immersion blender or in a regular blender.
Nutritional Information
