Go ahead and call me “basic”. Fall is my favourite season. Honestly, I’m pretty fond of all four seasons (Yes, even Winter), but Fall takes the cake. I love the colours, smells, and clothes…. but mostly I love the flavours. SAVORY AND SPICED EVERYTHING. When I first bought my house, four years ago in June, I didn’t realize that the two apple trees in the backyard would produce 1,000,000 apples. We had apple trees in our backyard growing up and I don’t ever recall them producing anywhere near what my trees produce (I also wasn’t the person who had to pick them up off the ground, so maybe I just didn’t notice?!). Needless to say, I was a little shocked when come mid August my apple trees were sagging under the weight of the apples. I quickly took to Facebook to pawn my apples off on family and friends, but due to the sheer number I still ended up with hundreds to use. Enter Apple Butter. For those of you who have not yet had the opportunity to try this delicious spread, let me break it down for you…. Its essentially a smoother, thicker, much more delicious version of apple sauce, and absolutely perfect for fall. Made in a crock pot, it’s painfully easy to make and impossible to mess up. You can either make this apple butter over night (or all day) by cooking on low, or make it in about three hours by cooking it on high. I’ve personally never been patient enough to let something cook for 8 hours without even taking a peek… So I opt for the quicker method. This recipe makes enough to fill three  250 ml jars, and makes excellent Thanksgiving hostessing gifts!

Ingredients

• 12 apples (give or take an apple)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon all spice
• 1/4 teaspoon cloves
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 cup water

 

Method:

1. Peel, core and chop the apples.
2. Place all ingredients, except water,  into crockpot and stir to combine.
3. Add about half of the water to the crock pot.
4.  Turn crock pot to high to cook in about 3 hours, or low to cook in 8 hours.
5. Enjoy how incredible your house smells.
6. After three hours on high, or 8 hours on low, stir the apples, and test for tenderness.  If your mixture seems too thick, slowly add the remaining water. Soft apples that appear broken down are ready to blend.
7. With an immersion blender, or in a food processor or blender, puree apple mixture until smooth.
8. Spread on toast…. or eat it with spoon.  I like it best  for breakfast with my favourite coffee, Colombian Mountain Coffee.

PS, sorry in advance for all of the apple recipes that are about to hit the blog. We promise, all are tried and true, and perfect for Autumn. Happy Fall y’all!!

Did you make this recipe?! Let us know by e-mailing us at rivercitysisters@gmail.com or show off on Instagram by tagging us @rivercitysisters, or using the hashtag #rivercitysisters