Slow Cooker Apple Butter

Servings 3 pints

5 1/2 pounds approx. 15-16 cups of baking apples - peeled, cored and finely chopped
2 to 2 1/2 cups white sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt

Peel and slice apples to equal 15 to 16 cups. Finely chop apples and add to crock pot. A food processor would have been good here but *gasp* can you believe I don't have one??? Instead I chopped by hand.
Stir together sugar, cinnamon, cloves and salt and pour over chopped apples.
Mix together apples and sugar mixture. Cover and heat on high for 1 to 2 hours. Stir and reduce heat to low.
Cook an additional 9 to 11 hours or until thick and dark brown, stirring occasionally.
To reduce the amount of chunks, stir with a whisk but don't use wire as shown. (I left quite a few marks on my crock pot doing that!) A silicone whisk or hand held blender would work great.
Remove cover off crock pot and cook an additional 3-6 hours or until the mixture is a dark brown and is thick. To test for the right consistency, place a little onto a plate or bowl and allow it to cool.
Refrigerate in airtight container for up to 3 to 4 months.