Fall has finally arrived! Itβs the season of cool breezes in the air, comfy jackets, and colorful leaves crunching under our feet. Itβs also the time of year for apples!
And what better way to start the season than with applesauce and apple butter. Today, Iβm going to give you my recipes for both of these delicious, delectable apple favorites.
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The weather is absolutely perfect for heading out to your local apple orchard and doing some pick-your-own apples. Thereβs something sweet and nostalgic about taking a hayride out to the fields, walking through rows of apple trees, and finally selecting just the right fruit (and maybe sneaking a bite or two of a juicy apple for yourself).
If you donβt have the time or opportunity to visit an apple orchard, though, you can always pick up some apples at your local farmerβs market or supermarket. As apples are in season right now, youβll find the freshest fruit at the sweetest prices!
I picked up about a dozen apples for myself, most of which are going to be made into applesauce and apple butter...plus a couple just to munch on for snacks. For these recipes, I used Gala apples...but you can use any sweet apple that you enjoy!
Both of these recipes use a slow cooker, so thereβs no slaving over a hot stove. Just gather your ingredients, put everything in the pot, turn it on, and walk away for hours.
I decided to start out by making applesauce and when it was finished, I scooped half of it out of the slow cooker, then let the other half become apple butter. The cooking times given below, however, assume that you are making each separately. Each recipe makes approximately 2 cups.
π§Ύ Ingredients for both applesauce and apple butter
- Apples
- Cinnamon
- Granulated sugar
- Lemon juice
- Nutmeg
π₯£ How to make applesauce
Peel, core, and chop apples and place in slow cooker. Add remaining ingredients and toss well with apples.
Cover slow cooker and cook on high for about 2-Β½ hours, until apples are soft. Mash the apples using a potato masher until desired consistency. Thatβs it!
π₯ How to make apple butter
Peel, core, and chop apples and place in slow cooker. Add remaining ingredients and toss well with apples. Cover slow cooker and cook on high for about 9 hours, until sauce has turned brown and thickened.
Scoop out apple butter and place in a narrow container or small saucepan.
Using an immersion blender, blend apple butter until smooth. If you don't have an immersion blender, you may use a regular blender or a food processor, just be aware that the result may not be as smooth. Enjoy!
Apple butter should stay good in a closed container in the fridge for several weeks.
Still have some apples left over? Check out my recipe for the World's Best Apple Pie, including a homemade butter crust, and my Mini Apple-Pear Pies too!
Did you make this Applesauce and Apple Butter recipe? Let us know in the comments below!
π Recipe
Applesauce & Apple Butter - Your Recipes for the Beginning of Fall
Ingredients
- 8 to 10 medium apples, peeled, cored, and chopped into 1β pieces
- Β½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ΒΎ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Dash of nutmeg
Instructions
Applesauce
- Peel, core, and chop apples and place in slow cooker.
- Add remaining ingredients and toss well with apples.
- Cover slow cooker and cook on high for about 2-Β½ hours. Thatβs it!
Apple Butter
- Peel, core, and chop apples and place in slow cooker.
- Add remaining ingredients and toss well with apples. Cover slow cooker and cook on high for about 9 hours.Β
- Scoop out apple butter and place in a narrow container or small saucepan. Using an immersion blender, blend apple butter until smooth. Enjoy!
- Apple butter should stay good in a closed container in the fridge for several weeks.
Notes
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