We light candles, we buy air fresheners, & use room sprays – but the best way to get the house smelling yummy is to cook something yummy!

This Crock Pot (Slow Cooker?) Apple Butter does just the trick!! After growing up at Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm and “knowing” how hard it was to make Apple Butter (at Harvest Festival every year… open fire, lots of stirring, etc) I never thought that I could really make this delicious treat. I love Quiet Valley and hate to take some profit away from them by making my own Apple Butter – but thanks to Full Measure of Happiness, I found that it could be so easy! After picking about 30 pounds of apples at Heckman’s Orchard with my family I couldn’t wait to make my house smell amazing with this Apple Butter.

Now, about a year ago I would have dreaded peeling/cutting the approximately 20 (+) apples that went into this Apple Butter. But that was before my dear friend Teresa & her husband got me this Apple Peeler/Core-er/Slicer last year for the holidays. I’m telling you – go get one, I did all the apples in about 15 minutes without any work and just a little bit of counter wiping when I was done. This contraption is awesome for any apple slicing needs (unless you wanted the peel) and can also supposedly be used to make those really cool spiral/tornado potatoes – I’ll have to try that and get back to you!

after about 36 hours

So get out your Crock Pot and make your house smell delicious (other tasty smelling options are: chili or chicken or soup or pork or whatever). Trust me – your nose will enjoy it as will your stomach when you finally indulge in the fruits of your non-labor!

Apple Butter 

(makes about 2 quarts)

• Apples – whatever fits in your crock pot, about 10 lbs of apples (I had about 20 apples, all different varieties – added in two batches)
• 2-3 cinnamon sticks
• 1 t freshly grated nutmeg
• 1 t ground cloves
• 1 – 2 cups apple cider
• sugar to taste (optional)

Dump all ingredients into the crock pot & turn on low for about 8 -10 hours. Add more apples at that point if you want (this will add about 8 hours). Cook on low for another 8 -10 hours or so. Remove your cinnamon sticks – if you used a more tart apple, add sugar (1/4 cup at a time) to taste. Mine ended up cooking for about 36 hours because I wanted it nice and cooked down, this is kind of up to you though. It needs at least 16 hours but can go up to 48 probably!

For the last 2 hours or so: prop the lid of the crock pot and let the extra moisture continues to evaporate until you get the desired texture.

Place into jars. You CAN can it (hehe) but I’ve never canned. I’m sharing some with my parents but this should last a few months (think Jelly?) in the fridge. Don’t let it sit around too long once its made – plan to use it by Easter probably….?

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One Year Ago – Scott’s Pizza Tour - seriously, you should take one, we love Scott!!

And I leave you with this, Today’s Question of the Day… What treat do you splurge on in the store or local fair/etc that you’ve figured out how to make (OR that I should try to figure out how to make for you)? – I know that Rich loves fancy BBQ Sauces, I should try to make them after we get inspired by others (OR we can just continue to support local businesses and buy their delicious sauces, who knows)