I titled this "Fruit Butter" because I have made Apple Butter and Pear Butter using the same recipe.
Surprising fact: There is NO butter! I'm sure most people know this, but my kids were amazed when it wasn't on the ingredient list.
We mostly eat Apple/Pear Butter on toast for breakfast. We have also put it on pancakes and I recently read that some people put it in their oatmeal. I'll have to try that one.
Most apple butter recipes I have seen say to peel the apples. I prefer to leave the peel on, that's where all the nutrients are after all. Once pureed you can't even tell.
Anyway, on to the recipe...
Slow-Cooked Fruit Butter
6 large Honeycrisp Apples, cored, finely chopped
OR
10-12 pears, cored, finely chopped
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Place cut fruit in slow cooker, it should fill the pot to the top. Top with sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg. Mix well. Cover and cook on low for 10 hours, stirring occasionally, until mixture is thickened and dark brown. Uncover and puree in blender or food processor. Spoon into sterile jars or containers and refrigerate.
Alternative:
Cook on high, uncovered, for 1-2 hours.
P.S. Growing up surrounded by orchards I am a "fruit snob" and very picky about my fruit. We get all of our apples and pears from Stemilt World Famous Fruit in Wenatchee, WA.
I did it! And, it turned out how I envisioned it! Well, the second one did anyways.
Of course I didn't take step by step pictures. But, here's some step by step instructions:
Materials:
Outside:
Faux Fur, maybe 1 yard depending on the size you want
Cotton fabric to match, same size
Matching thread
Bear skin rug outline template
Inside:
Rice
Essential Oils (optional)
1) Trace the outline onto the cotton material. Fold fabric over itself and cut. So you end up with two bear skin shapes of the same material.
2) Do the same with the faux fur material.
3) Pin together in this way: cotton, cotton, fur, fur. With the right sides of the fur together.
4) Sew around most of the shape. I left the "tail" area open for filling.
5) If you sew like me, make sure you caught all the layers, then trim excess fabric.
6) Turn materials right side out, through the opening you left.
7) In a bowl mix rice and a few drops of essential oils. I used Eucalyptus and Lavender.
8) Fill bear with the rice to your preferred "fullness" and sew up the opening.
It took me all of about an hour including tracing, cutting, sewing, etc. Pretty simple.
When heating I put in the microwave, on a paper towel, for 30 seconds. You could probably toss it in the dryer for a few minutes too.
