applesauce & apple butter, canned last year

I would like to thank those of you who have submitted recipes to share. If you have any more you'd like to pass along, please don't hesitate.

Please visit any local apple orchard to get your apples for any of the apple recipes featured here. Along with apples, they also feature other produce, goods, treats and fun.

At PickYourOwn.org, they have a recipe for apple sauce that you can make just for a meal, without canning it. They also have a page with detailed instructions if you'd like to can your own applesauce.

The wonderful thing about applesauce is that it can contain as little as one ingredient - apples! Although, it can be fun to try different amounts of sugar, cinnamon or other flavors until you find a recipe that's just right for you.

Sarah's Applesauce

• 4 apples - peeled, cored and chopped
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1. In a saucepan, combine apples, water, sugar, and cinnamon. Cover, and cook over medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes, or until apples are soft. Allow to cool, then mash with a fork or potato masher.

I found this apple butter recipe at CajunCookingRecipes.com. They have a lot of different recipes, so it may worth it to you to check out the site.

Quick and Easy Apple Butter Recipe

6 Apples; cored and finely chopped
1/2 c Apple cider
2 c Brown sugar; firmly packed
1 1/2 ts Ground cinnamon
1 ts Ground nutmeg
1/2 ts Ground cloves

Place apples and apple cider in 1 1/2-quart micro-proof bowl. Cover tightly with plastic wrap. Microwave on High 15 minutes. Carefully remove plastic wrap and stir in remaining ingredients. Return to microwave and cook, uncovered, 10 minutes more, stirring every 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer mixture to a blender of food processor and process until smooth. Store in airtight container in refrigerator. Yield: about 2 pints of apple butter

Below is the recipe I use for apple butter. I like the fact that I can toss everything in my crock pot & basically forget about it.

Amish Apple Butter

7 C. applesauce

2 C. apple cider
1 ½ C. honey

pinch nutmeg
2 tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. cloves
½ tsp. allspice

1. Whisk everything together crock pot. 

2. Cover, cook on LOW 14-15hrs. - depending on moisture of applesauce.

3. Can freeze or can by using hot-water bath.

FOR: More Orchards; Apple Hermit Cookies, Caramel Apple Crisp; Apple Cake, Apple Crumb Pie

*please stay tuned for more info on canning, freezing and being prepared