RECIPE: Easy Slow Cooker Apple Butter

This year has been an AMAZING year for apples in New England.  The fruit trees are just filled with delicious, sweet apples.  I you haven't been out picking, the season has also been a long one and there is still time to get out there.  If you are North of Boston, two spots I recommend are Russell Orchards in Ipswich and Smolak Farms in North Andover.  One of my favorite things to do with our fresh apples is make apple butter.  Because you are cooking them down, you can also use the "not-so-pretty" fruit (you might also be able to get these cheap at your local market.  

EASY SLOW COOKER APPLE BUTTER

6 lbs. of apples
1 cup of white sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/4 tsp. nutmeg

• Core, peel, and slice apples

• Place apple slices in slow cooker

• Mix sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg in separate bowl

• Sprinkle sugar mixture over apples

• Cover and cook on HIGH for 1 hour

• Turn to LOW and cook until the apple mixture is spreadable and dark brown (this could be as long as 12 hours)

• ENJOY!

FUN IDEA: to spice things up a bit, try adding RED HOTS from the Ferrara Candy Company.