I've been making this for about 6 years now. This is a favorite in my family. I make this just about every year at the end of summer/ going into fall and give many away as gifts for my extended family. It's always a big hit and I get asked to make it again every year. I usually end up having to make two batches.
I like to personalize my jars with a handmade label and sometimes a ribbon and it always puts smiles on faces.
I know it may be a little early still for thinking about fall dishes but it's absolutely my favorite time of year and it's always good for me to get these done ahead of time so people can get their goodies in a timely manner.
This would also be a great seller in farmers markets and fairs and for fund raisers. I also make this for my children's favorite teachers as a Christmas gift.
A full batch will make approx 7 pint sized jars (16) oz, or 14 (8) oz jars, or 28 (4) oz jars. You can split this recipe in half with no problems if you want to make a smaller batch.
You will need around an 8 quart slow cooker for a full batch.
PUMPKIN APPLE BUTTER
4 (15 oz) cans of canned pumpkin
4 cups of shredded Granny Smith apples (I recommend blending this in a blender or magic bullet to an apple sauce consistency prior to adding them to your slow cooker)
4 cups of no sugar added apple juice
2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
4 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp salt
Combine all ingredients in your slow cooker (8 quart). Cook on HIGH for 5 hours, stirring every hour. Store in a covered container and refrigerate for up to 2 months. If you have a canning pot, you can seal your pumpkin apple butter in mason jars and they will keep for up to one year.
If you don't have a canning pot you can just use a large pot. Just as long as when you put your jars in the pot, you can fill it with water till there's at least one inch of water above your jars. Then you can boil your jars for about 5-10 minutes. Remove your jars and they will seal closed as they cool down.
Here's what the lids look like BEFORE and AFTER they're sealed. You can see the little button indentions on top are all smoothed down now.
Make your labels!!
Here's a blank label I made in photoshop for you to use. You can insert this label onto a microsoft word document as many times as you like and print these on cardstock or label paper and they look great. Just click on the image below and a new window will pop up. Then right click on the image and save it to your computer. This label is slightly over 2 inches wide for those using a circle punch.
Thank you so much and I hope you enjoy the recipe as much as my family has!!
