Homemade gifts for Christmas can be easy, inexpensive, delicious, and still come from the heart. Each year, it seems the list of people I want to acknowledge at the holidays grows. That doesn’t mean I want to spend more money. So, coming up with creative money-saving solutions is one of my strategies. It takes some planning ahead. And it takes valuable time. But, in the end, handmade gifts give that something extra that store-bought gifts just can’t.
I always look forward to the special homemade gifts I know I’m getting from friends each year. And, I cherish them always.
I got my love of handmade gifts from my Dad. One of his hobbies was wood crafting. He could build anything. And he loved to make gifts for people. Every year at Christmas he made something for his mother. And, he would enlist me and my sisters to help. He taught me how to use my hands to create.
I got my love of cooking from my My Grandma Ruth. She was the world’s best home cook. And she made a mean jar of apple butter. I hesitantly sent her a few jars of my version for Christmas a few years ago, a little fearful that it might not measure up. She was thrilled with the flavor and couldn’t believe I didn’t use white sugar. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t proud.
If you’ve never canned anything before, this is a simple place to start. You don’t need to use a pressure cooker canner. Instead, use a water bath canner. I use half-pint or quarter-pint jars and process filled jars for 10 minutes.
Tie a pretty ribbon around the jars and you’ve got the perfect gift. And, it comes right from the heart.
Are you working on any handmade gifts this year? What about ones you’ve received and treasure?
A simple & delicious homemade apple butter recipe you can cook up in your favorite slow cooker.
Ingredients
- 4 to 5 pounds apples, cored and sliced
- 1/2 to 1 cup unsweetened frozen apple juice concentrate, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Place the apples in a large (5- or 6-quart) slow cooker. Melt 1/2 cup apple juice concentrate in the microwave or on the stovetop and pour over the apples. Sprinkle the apples with the allspice, cloves, nutmeg, 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, and the salt. Gently stir with a large wooden spoon. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, or overnight.
- Check the apples after 8 hours. If they need to be cooked longer, leave the slow cooker on. If the apples are soft, puree with an immersion blender while the apples are still in the slow cooker. Or you can transfer them to a food processor or blender and puree in small batches. Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding the remaining 1/2 cup apple juice concentrate and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon for sweetness, if desired. Continue to cook on low with the lid off until the apple butter is thick.
- Store in glass jars in the refrigerator for two months, or freeze. To can, process in a water bath canner for 10 minutes.
Notes
Quick Tip: Don’t bother peeling the apples. The skin helps create a thicker apple butter and, once the apples are pureed, you won’t even know it’s there.
Selina@CreativeJuicesDecor
posted on November 29, 2012 at 8:49 am
ohh! I just made this yesterday! The second time around I only had enough apples to fill half my crock pot so I cut a small pumpkin and put it on the top, half way through I scooped out the insides and continued on with the process. So at the end I had this DELICIOUS apple pumpkin butter! I might have liked it better than my previous batch of apple butter?? Plus it filled up those gift jars
(that stuff condenses down so much – I’m always thinking, “what, I only got 4 baby jars out of the whole pot” – LOL!)
Enjoy this coming holiday season Amy!
[Reply]
Keri
posted on November 29, 2012 at 11:56 am
this sounds wonderful! Apple Pumpkin Butter? Yummm!
What kind of apples do you suggest?
thanks!
Keri
[Reply]
Tabi@eatsgeeks.com
posted on November 29, 2012 at 12:00 pm
This looks amazing and so low maintenance. This will make amazing gifts. Do you have any suggestions for which apples to use? I don’t have a decent enough appreciation for apples yet beyond loving apple pie, betty’s, butter, grannys, honeycrisp and sweet tangos. xp
[Reply]
roberta
posted on November 29, 2012 at 12:48 pm
Can you do this if you don’t have a slow cooker?
Sounds delish.
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Alyssa | Queen of Quinoa
posted on November 29, 2012 at 1:25 pm
I could eat this all day, everyday, all year long. Sounds delicious!!!
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Peggy
posted on November 29, 2012 at 7:08 pm
I have never made apple butter before. It seemed daunting peeling pounds of apples. But a slow cooker method I could do! This looks like something I would love to try! I’m printing this out and adding to my ‘recipes to try’ binder!
[Reply]
InTolerant Chef
posted on November 29, 2012 at 11:49 pm
Love the idea of not having to peel them first! Lovely mix of spices too, yummo!
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Judy @Savoring Today
posted on December 1, 2012 at 9:44 am
Great recipe, I have made a similar one, but I like the addition of the unsweetened apple juice in yours. Love apple butter!
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Laura @ Stealthy Mom
posted on December 4, 2012 at 11:18 pm
Oh, yum! We have another 20-pound box of apples on their way and this will be a great use for some of them.
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Jen | my BIG FAT grain free life
posted on December 5, 2012 at 7:28 am
OH MY WORD! My family is addicted to apple butter! We bought some in North Carolina at a farmers market a few years ago. It was made by Amish people and had no added sugar. I’ve not been able to find its equal. I can’t wait to make this. Thank for the wonderful recipe. I’d love to make it in large batches and can it…
[Reply]
Ann
posted on December 6, 2012 at 6:44 pm
Hello
Just wondering if this can be canned safely with no sugar in it?
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Ali the Skinny GF Chef
posted on December 7, 2012 at 1:13 pm
Hi Amy, this looks lovely and it’s making me hungry! I was looking for gifts to make and can’t wait to try it. How wonderful that it doesn’t have any added sugar or fat. Thanks so much and Merry Christmas! Ali
[Reply]
Keri
posted on December 7, 2012 at 5:04 pm
Does anyone have a suggestion on what type of apples would work best in this? TIA!
[Reply]
Victoria
posted on December 9, 2012 at 1:24 pm
“Does anyone have a suggestion on what type of apples would work best in this?” ^^^^^seconded!
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dr.patryce.a smith
posted on December 22, 2012 at 2:51 pm
Hi,
Cooking type apples perhaps? Organic for sure! Perhaps going to try a variety of types of apples Fuji, Gala, Macintosh…yummy for sure…much easier than my old way of making this goody treat on GF bread toast…Thank you for sharing..
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