Apple Butter

We've gone overboard with the apples this year. The farmer's market is filled with crates and crates of different kinds of apples and I couldn't be happier. We recently visited our favorite family run farm and could only make so many apple pies and crisps from our pickings, so we decided to turn the remaining apples into apple butter. This recipes requires the use of a slow cooker , it's worth it. I didn't grow up with a Crockpot, but since moving out of my parent's house (and having a corporate job) we needed something that would have a hot meal ready after a long day's work during the winter. There are fancy slow cookers out there, but all you need is a simple one (and it won't burn your house down, just make sure to place it on a heat resistant surface). The great part of making this butter is that it will serve two purposes, a fantastic concoction to mix in with anything (literally, we've made apple butter cocktails) AND a temporary potpourri to make your home smell FANTASTIC! Cheers!

Ingredients:

5 pounds Honey Crisp Apples peeled and chopped (or your favorite apple, though I wouldn't use Granny Smith)
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp Maldon Sea Salt
2 1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground clove
1 tsp Chinese five spice
1/2 tsp allspice
Vanilla Ice Cream

Directions:

1. Add all of your ingredients to your slow cooker and stir. Cook on high for 6 hours or low for 11 hours
2. Stir every few hours to make sure nothing is sticking to your pot
3. At the end of the cooking process all of the apples will break down when your stir. If you wish to have a completely smooth butter you can put the contents into a blender (make sure your butter has cooled before blending)
4. Pour over ice cream or mix in a drink and enjoy!