I have a problem in my house – WAY too many apples. It’s not that we don’t love them. Rather, we DO love them and it’s the season. Therefore, apples everywhere! This gave me the brilliant idea of making some apple butter. I looked online for a recipe and – yuck – tons of added sugar in all of them. I also found that most recipes recommend peeling apples. Why? You’re pureeing it at the end! The peels from apples contain most of it’s fiber, vitamin C, vitamin A, and antioxidants. I developed this recipe to use the apples with skins. The recipe also contains honey, which has antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Local honey has also been shown to help with seasonal allergies. The recipe also contains a lot of cinnamon which, aside from providing additional antioxidant benefits, makes your house smell AMAZING. Finally, this recipe is SUPER EASY. Give it a try you’re looking for a cleaner way to enjoy apple butter:
Paleo Apple Butter
Prep time: 10 minutes / Cook time: 6-8 hours / Yield: 4-6 cups
Ingredients:
- Enough apple pieces (cut off core) to fill your crock pot (~16 medium sized for mine). Use sweet apples since you’re not adding refined sugar.
- 3 Tablespoons cinnamon
- 1/3 cup honey (local if possible)
- 1/2 teaspoon cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
Instructions:
- Place apples in crock pot and cover with remaining ingredients. Cook on low 4-6 hours, until soft enough to mash (mix every couple of hours).
- Mash with potato masher, then puree in blender or food processor.
- Unless apple butter is already at your desired texture, return to crock pot and cook on high ~45 minutes until desired texture is reached (you’re looking for darker and thicker than apple sauce). You may complete this step on ‘low’ if apple butter is bubbling/popping on high.
- Store in refrigerator up to 2 weeks, and/or freeze some for later. Consider giving to a friend!
Enjoy on coconut milk ice cream, pork, mixed in plain, full-fat yogurt, or in ‘paleo oatmeal’. Happy Fall!