Crockpot Apple Butter

[DMurray]

Does anyone use a Crock Pot to make apple butter? I'm curious to know if you use sugar-several of the recipes I've been reading look like they would be way too sweet, and we like our applesauce without much sugar . . .

This is the recipe (from allrecipes.com) I am thinking about using, any tried and true suggestions would be much appreciated :)


All Day Apple Butter

Prep Time: 30 Minutes
Cook Time: 11 Hours

Ready In: 11 Hours 30 Minutes
Servings: 128

Ingredients:
5 1/2 pounds apples - peeled, cored and
finely chopped
4 cups white sugar

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
Directions:
1. Place the apples in a slow cooker. In a medium bowl, mix the sugar, cinnamon, cloves and salt. Pour the mixture over the apples in the slow cooker and mix well.
2. Cover and cook on high 1 hour.
3. Reduce heat to low and cook 9 to 11 hours, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is thickened and dark brown.
4. Uncover and continue cooking on low 1 hour. Stir with a whisk, if desired, to increase smoothness.
5. Spoon the mixture into sterile containers, cover and refrigerate or freeze.
Nutrition
Information
Servings Per Recipe: 128
Calories: 34

Amount Per Serving

* Total Fat: 0g
* Cholesterol: 0mg
* Sodium: 5mg
* Total Carbs: 9g
* Dietary Fiber: 0.5g

[Linda in MO]

I have made that recipe and liked it, but it was several years ago. It's from Taste of Home magazine. You could always reduce the sugar a bit, but apple butter should be sweeter than applesauce in my opinion.

[lindrusso]

Here's a link to a Cooking Light recipe that I love. I try to make it every year. I don't find it to be too sweet.

http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=10000000701039

I skip the part about forcing it through a sieve. I just use my immersion blender right in the crockpot - seems to turn out fine though it may mean I have to simmer the mixture a little longer to get it thick enough.