How to Make Homemade Apple Butter
Every fall I head to the apple orchard with my mum and get more apples than any single person can eat in a season. I eat some of them, make applesauce with others and this year I decided that instead of buying apple butter for charcuterie boards, I would just make my own. The aroma of the apple butter will linger through your house and have you dreaming of cooler days.
You will never believe how simple it is to make apple butter. All you have to do is stick some apples that have been cut into a crockpot with brown sugar and spices. Let the mixture sit all day, stirring occasionally, and there you have it, apple butter. Yum!
Homemade Slow Cooker Apple Butter
Ingredients
3/4 cup apple cider (I got mine from Yates Cider Mill)
9 apples
1/2 cup brown sugar (I did less because my apples and cider were very sweet)
2-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground clove
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
dash of salt
Directions
1. Peel, core, and chop the apples.
2. Place all ingredients into a slow cooker.
3. Stir the mixture.
4. Cover and cook for 4-6 hours on low.
5. Once the mixture is soft and has a \”mushy\” consistency pour it into a blender and blend until smooth.
6. Add back to the crockpot and cook for another 2 hours to thicken it. This is also your opportunity to add more spices or brown sugar.
What is the difference between applesauce and apple butter?
You might want to know what you can do with apple butter and how to serve it. Well, the simple answer is anything you want!
Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy apple butter:
Add it to a charcuterie board and add to a cracker or the top of the cheese
On a biscuit with butter
Warmed and served over pancakes or ice cream
As a dip for graham crackers
On a piece of toast
Drizzled over cinnamon rolls
What apples are best for apple butter?
When it comes to apple butter, applesauce, apple pies, and more I like to use a variety of apples. For my apple butter, I used Honey Crisp (they\’re so sweet I was able to cut down on the brown sugar), Mcintosh, Red Delicious, and Gala.
How do you make apple butter smooth?
You can use an immersion blender or a regular blender to puree it. I like to cook it in the crockpot for a while, and then run it through the blender and put it back in the crockpot for a couple hours to thicken up.
How do you store homemade apple butter?
I canned some of mine and also put some apple butter in freezer containers and froze it. Apple butter will not last very long in the refrigerator, so you definitely want to make sure you freeze it or can it.
Exploring Port Huron, Michigan
Port Huron, Michigan is one of those hidden gems that many (myself included) overlook. Port Huron, Michigan is located on the shores of Lake Huron and is only about one hour from Detroit which makes it the perfect place to take a day trip to! Port Huron is home to the Blue Water Bridge that runs across the St. Clair River connecting the United States to Canada.
Port Huron is known as the Maritime Capital of the Great Lakes and features the only existing lightship on the Great Lakes, the Huron Lightship. The Great Lakes Maritime Center is the perfect place to learn about the freighters that navigate one of the busiest waterways in the world. You can\’t forget the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse, which is one of Michigan\’s oldest working lighthouses!
My favorite thing about Port Huron is the Blue Water River Walk. This paved walkway runs along the shoreline of the St. Clair River, allowing you to not only enjoy the water views and wave hi to Canada, but you can watch the freighter traffic.
Things to do in Port Huron, Michigan
Watch the freighters pass underneath the Blue Water Bridge
Enjoy the beautiful Blue Water River Walk. Where you can walk, fish, and view the freighters.
Get up close with one of Michigan\’s oldest lighthouses Fort Gratiot Light Station
Visit waterfront public parks and beaches
History buffs will love the Thomas Edison Depot Museum, the Huron Lightship, the Carnegie Museum, and the Knowlton Ice Museum
Enjoy a boat tour aboard the Huron Lady
Don\’t forget to stop and eat at one of the restaurants on the water
Things To Do in Marquette, Michigan: Hike Sugarloaf Mountain
When I attended college at Northern Michigan University as soon as my parents came up to visit I took them to Sugarloaf Mountain. Whether you\’re staying in Marquette for vacation or visiting Michigan\’s Upper Peninsula I highly recommend making a stop at Sugarloaf Mountain for 360 degrees of stunning views.
When it comes to trails you can pick the trail marked \”easy\” or \”difficult. The \”easy\” trail is filled with stairs and becomes tiresome quickly. I actually prefer the \”difficult\” trail, where you will have steeper elevation as well as a rockier and uneven terrain. However, the difficult trail is entirely manageable for the average active person. You will find a lot of parents take their children up the \”difficult\” trail because it is easier than the \”easy\” trail that is filled with stairs. I did the \”difficult\” trail with my parents when they visited me in college and they did fine with it and they\’re not an active adventurer like I am.
For your convenience, both trails are clearly marked and well-traversed, most of the time you\’ll encounter numerous people along the path. No matter which trail you take, as you reach the top of Sugarloaf Mountain you will come to a series of stairways that provide an accessible path up the otherwise rocky and steep terrain. Once you reach the top get ready for stunning views of trees and of course Lake Superior\’s deep blue waters. Take a walk up to the viewing platforms to get a breathtaking 360-degree view of Lake Superior, Marquette, and Michigan\’s Huron Mountains in the distance.
10 Facts about Sugarloaf Mountain in Marquette, Michigan
1. Free parking lot at the trailhead
2. Located about 6 miles north of downtown Marquette on Country Road 550
3. The hike up Sugarloaf Mountain takes 15-30 minutes to reach the to
4. Two trail options designated \”easy\” and \”difficult\”
Pro Tip: The \”easy\” trail is packed with stairs and the \”difficult\” trail is more moderate than it sounds. I prefer the \”difficult\” trail
5. Summit rises 470 feet above Lake Superior
6. Several viewing platforms await at the top with benches to rest
7. No restrooms or facilities, not handicap accessible
8. Foot-traffic only
9. Dog-friendly
10. Accessible during all four seasons
What\’s Coming to Disney Plus: November 2020
Tempertures are dropping, the holiday season is around the corner and here I am curled up watching Disney+. I recently spilled the beans on what Disney+ was bringing in October, so I thought it was only appropriate to let you know what\’s coming in November.
What\’s Coming to Disney+ November 2020:
Tuesday, November 17
LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special (Disney+ Original Special)
“The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special” reunites Rey, Finn, Poe, Chewie, Rose and the droids for a joyous feast on Life Day, a holiday first introduced in the 1978 “Star Wars Holiday Special.” The new LEGO special is the first to debut on Disney+ and will continue the rich legacy of collaboration between Lucasfilm and LEGO—playful adventures told in the endearingly irreverent way that only LEGO Star Wars cobranded content can.
Wednesday, November 18
The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse (Disney+ Original Series)
It\’s nothing but fun and excitement for Mickey Mouse and his best friends as they embark on their greatest adventures yet, navigating the pitfalls and curveballs of a wild and crazy world where the magic of Disney makes the impossible possible.
Friday, November 20
Marvel’s 616
Marvel\’s 616 explores Marvel’s rich legacy of pioneering characters, creators and storytelling to reflect the world outside your window. Each documentary, helmed by a unique filmmaker, showcases the intersections of storytelling, pop culture, and fandom within the Marvel Universe. Episodes in this anthology series will cover topics including Marvel’s world-spanning artists, the trailblazing women of Marvel Comics, discovering the “forgotten” characters of Marvel, and much more.
Planes
The world of “Cars” takes flight in “Planes,” Disney\’s high-flying animated comedy featuring Dusty, a crop duster with dreams of competing in the greatest air race ever. Will he find the inspiration and courage to be more than he was built for?
With the first anniversary of Disney+ on November 12, the service will kick off its second year with even more original entertainment premiering in late 2020 including, but not limited to: “Black Beauty,” a contemporary film adaptation of the classic story starring Mackenzie Foy, Iain Glen and Claire Forlani and the voice of Kate Winslet, “Inside Pixar,” a never-before-seen look into Pixar Animation Studios’ creative process, “On Pointe,” an original docu-series about students of the School of American Ballet and “The Nutcracker” performance at Lincoln Center, and “WandaVision,” the upcoming original series from Marvel Studios.
Zoya Holiday 2020: Intriguing
Euince can best be described as a chartreuse metallic green. Euince looks like the quintessential transition color from fall to the holiday season. I am thinking come end of October this will be on repeat on my nails.
Soko can best be described as a wintery Poinsettia red cream. I may not be a red fan, but I can definitely appreciate a tried and true red and I am thinking Soko might be it.
Beverly can best be described as a dark purple-toned red cream. If you know me, you know come fall and winter I transition into deeper tones. While I avoid purples in the summer, you will find deep purple on repeat on my nails. Beverly is looking like it could definitely become an on repeat color.
Avi can best be described as a smoky greige cream with a hint of red-brown. Can we just say wow? Avi looks like the color that will be on repeat all November.
Overall first thoughts about Intriguing Zoya\’s Holiday 2020
Absolutely love the look of Zoya\’s holiday 2020 collection Intriguing. I cannot wait to try out Lottie, Brett, Isti, Avi, and Nico. The collection definitely embodies the holiday season and I love how it has transitional colors to get you ready for the holiday season.
Release Date: Available Online, Thursday, October 15.
Fashion meets Food 