Apple Butter

I woke up to two beautiful things this morning (well, besides my beautiful children!). A gorgeous, quiet German Sunday morning and delicious homemade apple butter!

I love the early morning here. It is so quiet and peaceful. This morning I opened my windows and just listened to the birds singing their sweet songs. It is mornings like this that will make me miss this wonderful place that I have called home for the last 6 years. Yes, I know that birds still sing in the states, but there is something about this place that has imprinted on my being and I am trying to soak up every last bit of Germany I can before we leave next year.

I had the perfect pairing for this beautiful morning with homemade apple butter. I know that there are many ways to make apple butter, but this is so easy and easy is good! I cut up the apples after dinner, throw them in the crock-pot, and wake up in the morning to the wonderful smell of apple butter. Mmmmm....

You go to bed with this...

And wake up to this!

Hope you are all having a wonderful Sunday morning, too!

Apple Butter

5 1/2 lbs apples (I use Gala), peeled and finely chopped

2-4 cups sugar (depends on how sweet you want it; I use about 3)

2-3 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground cloves

1/4 tsp salt

Combine sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Mix apples in and toss well. Place in greased crockpot.

Cook on high for 1 hour, then reduce heat to low and continue cooking for 9-11 hours or until thickened and dark brown. Uncover and cook 1 hour more.

(Note: When I wake up in the morning, I whisk the apple butter for a few minutes to break up the big chunks and help it along a bit!)