16cupssliced apples (such as Macintosh and Golden Delicious)
2 ¾cupslight brown sugar
2 ¾tspground cinnamon
¼tspground cloves
1star anise pod (optional)
1tbspfresh lemon juice
¼tspkosher salt
Instructions
Wash and remove the core from the apples. Slice thinly. Measure out 16 cups of apples. Pour all apples into the slow cooker.
16 cups sliced apples (such as Macintosh and Golden Delicious)
Add brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, anise pod, salt, and lemon juice. Stir to incorporate everything.
2 ¾ cups light brown sugar, 2 ¾ tsp ground cinnamon, ¼ tsp ground cloves, 1 star anise pod (optional), ¼ tsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Turn slow cooker on high for 4-5 hours. After the first hour, remove the star anise pod, if added. Every hour, stir the apples.
Once the mixture is bubbling and cooking well (after approximately 4-5 hours), turn the slow cooker to low and leave for 10-12 hours. I usually do this in the evening so it can sit on the low setting overnight.
After ten hours, start checking the slow cooker. Stir mixture using a strong wire whisk or hand potato masher to break up the apples.
Once the butter is the consistency desired, use a blender, food processor, or immersion blender to break down the rest of the apples to achieve an even consistency.
Remember that apples contain a large amount of water and will cook down considerably. They also vary a lot in how they cook. My apples had a lot of liquid in them so I needed to give them 2 extra hours on high (with the lid off) to make sure my apple butter turned out as thick as I wanted.