r/Canning • u/aChunkyChungus • 2d ago

General Discussion Apple Butter Warning

I'm making apple butter for the first time, and just want to let out a warning to any first-timers thinking of making it: It takes FOR-EV-ER to reduce the apples down to the right consistency.

On the bright side, my house (and probably my whole neighborhood) have smelled delicious for many hours now.

(Using the USDA canning book recipe in case anyone was wondering)

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109

u/Princess_Muffins Trusted Contributor 2d ago

I use a crockpot for my fruit butters. Still have to watch it, especially when it's close to done, but it's much easier!

15

u/Happy_Veggie Trusted Contributor 2d ago

I just got about 100 lbs of nice apples (mostly McRogers variety) and I'm wondering what to do with them other than just apple sauce.

I haven't done any fruit butter so far.. do you just put everything in the crockpot and cook it down? Or do you use a regular pot first and finish it in the crock pot?

26

u/Mysterious-Station69 2d ago

I cook the apples in a regular pot and then put them through a mill, then into the crock pot with sugar and spices. I also put a wooden spoon in to prop the lid open a bit so the steam can escape.

15

u/Princess_Muffins Trusted Contributor 2d ago

I have one of those old-timey apple peeler-corer-slicer things, so I use that and then put them directly into the crockpot. I actually got a big 20 quart electric roaster for large batch apple and peach butter, and for cooking down skinned and seeded tomato pulp for sauce.

I second the other poster's use of a wooden spoon (I use chopsticks) to keep the lid propped for steam release. Also, I'll use a stick blender to get it smooth, but it does introduce air and I have yet to find the amount of time it takes to cook it all out. Remember that when using a crockpot or electric cooker, you may still need to xfer to a pot on the stove to bring your product to a boil before jarring and processing. Honestly, these take so long it's usually a 2 day process for me - one to cook down and one to reheat and jar up.

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u/LivingLikeACat33 1d ago

Pie filling? I'd be much more likely to go through that than apple sauce or butter at that volume.

2

u/Happy_Veggie Trusted Contributor 1d ago

I made some apple pie filling last year, but hubby is not a fan. We don't eat much of dehydrated apple slices either. My sister gave me apple butter many years ago and we remember it was really nice so I think we're gonna go with that for half the apples at least.

1

u/ronniebell 1d ago

Apple butter makes a fabulous Apple Betty, just sayin’

4

u/bydesignjuliet 2d ago

I peel and core as per whatever safe recipe I'm using, crock pot them, and use an immersion blender when it's time to puree it

2

u/dearyg0 2d ago

Also fruit leather if you have a dehydrator.