All Day Apple Butter (Crock Pot)

"This tasty apple butter is a real slow cooker, but well worth the wait. Depending on the sweetness of the apples used, the amount of sugar may be adjusted to taste." I have also substituted pears for apples and it turned out quite well.

• Ready In: 11 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 128
• Yields: 4 pints

Ingredients

• 5 1⁄2 lbs apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped
• 4  cups white sugar
• 2  teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Place the apples in a slow cooker. In a medium bowl, mix the sugar, cinnamon, cloves and salt. Pour the mixture over the apples in the slow cooker and mix well.
2. Cover and cook on high 1 hour.
3. Reduce heat to low and cook 9 to 11 hours, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is thickened and dark brown.
4. Uncover and continue cooking on low 1 hour. Stir with a whisk, if desired, to increase smoothness.
5. Spoon the mixture into sterile containers, cover and refrigerate or freeze.