Chef John's Apple Butter

Ingredients

• 5 pounds Granny Smith apples , cored and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1.5 cups white sugar
• 0.5 cups brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 0.13 teaspoons freshly grated nutmeg
• 0.5 teaspoons ground allspice
• 0.25 cups apple cider vinegar
• 0.5 cups water

Instructions

1. 1

   Place apple pieces into a large slow cooker. Add white sugar, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and vinegar. Add water and mix well.

2. 2

   Cover and cook on High until apples are starting to soften and release liquid, 1 to 2 hours. Reduce heat to Low and cook, uncovered, until all the apple flesh is dissolved, 5 to 6 hours. Stir occasionally.

3. 3

   Puree using an immersion blender until smooth. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until darkened and thick, about 4 hours more. Pass apple butter through a strainer if desired. Seal in a glass container and refrigerate until cool.