Holiday Gift Idea
Here’s an easy and inexpensive holiday gift idea . . .
Apple Butter
What you will need:
– a bushel of apples (I used Rome apples, but you can experiment with a variety of apples)
-2 cups brown sugar
-4 tsp cinnamon
-a hint of nutmeg
-1/4 tsp ground clove
-1/4 tsp salt
-a crock pot
How you do it:
No need to peel or core the apples. These parts have more pectin and, therefore, add flavor to your apple butter. Quarter the apples and put them in a crock pot. Add the remaining ingredients. Cook on high for 2 hours, then on low for 6 to 8 hours. Stir, and let cook overnight. In the morning, turn off the crock pot. Remove skins and cores of the apples (yeah this step is a bit messy and tedious). Mash all of the ingredients together. For chunkier apple butter, let it be. Or, to make smoother apple butter, at this point you can puree it in a blender. It’s up to you. I like mine a little chunky. Now, it is ready to serve with toast and coffee. Or, put it in old jelly jars, add a festive holiday ribbon, and, ta-da, easy, fun holiday gifts for friends and family.
