Apple Butter
This is a fun twist to a bread topping. I feel there's a certain holiday vibe with the spices in this, and toasted bread with cottage cheese and this apple butter on top is an incredible combination, in my opinion. It also works well as an ice cream sauce, but it's nice to heat the apple butter slightly for that.
6-7 Pink Lady or Gala apples
3 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp allspice
1/8 tsp cloves
1 tsp vanilla extract
a pinch of salt
a small pinch of cardamom (optional)
Peel, core, and chop 6-7 Pink Lady or Gala apples and place them at the bottom of a slow cooker. Sprinkle the spices over the apples and stir everything together.
Set the cooker on high for 4 hours or low for 8-10 hours. You only need to stir once when the time is halfway done.
Once the apples are soft, mash them and return them to the slow cooker, allowing the apple mixture to simmer uncovered for an additional 1-2 hours or until the desired consistency is achieved.
Finally, add the vanilla and salt at the end, and if it needs more sweetness, you can add maple syrup.
Transfer to jars and store in the refrigerator. It keeps for a month in the fridge.