We all know I love to cook. Part of the fun of cooking is sharing. During the holidays this is particularly true. We all get out our family favorites, many that have been passed down through the generations. Unfortunately many of those recipes are packed full of fat and sugar and are not that healthy for you.
A couple of years ago it occurred to me that I could choose to make healthier holiday treats which would actually be a greater gift to those I love. You can still choose special recipes for just this time of year that everyone can look forward to but who said those special recipes needed to be unhealthy, artery clogging and diabetes promoting?
One such recipe that is super easy and fun to share as gifts is Apple Butter you can make in your slow cooker. Once it is cooked you can divide it up in jars for gift giving...or just keep it in the refrigerator to enjoy at home with your family. The extra benefit to you and those in your household is the luscious smell of the apple butter as it is cooking in the crockpot. It is a classic holiday spice aroma. You will find yourself humming Christmas songs!
Apple Butter can be used as a healthy substitute for butter or margarine on toast, muffins or pancakes. Our favorite use is topping our oatmeal in the morning instead of using brown sugar. It is really good! Each tablespoon is 33 calories.
A couple of years ago it occurred to me that I could choose to make healthier holiday treats which would actually be a greater gift to those I love. You can still choose special recipes for just this time of year that everyone can look forward to but who said those special recipes needed to be unhealthy, artery clogging and diabetes promoting?
One such recipe that is super easy and fun to share as gifts is Apple Butter you can make in your slow cooker. Once it is cooked you can divide it up in jars for gift giving...or just keep it in the refrigerator to enjoy at home with your family. The extra benefit to you and those in your household is the luscious smell of the apple butter as it is cooking in the crockpot. It is a classic holiday spice aroma. You will find yourself humming Christmas songs!
Apple Butter can be used as a healthy substitute for butter or margarine on toast, muffins or pancakes. Our favorite use is topping our oatmeal in the morning instead of using brown sugar. It is really good! Each tablespoon is 33 calories.
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| Ingredients Assembled In The Crockpot (by LivligaHome) |
Here is the Recipe for Slow Cooker Apple Butter (originally from Cooking Light Slow Cooker):
Ingredients-
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
1 cup apple cider (or juice)
1 tablespoon cinnamon, ground
1/4 teaspoon cloves, ground
1/8 teaspoon mace, ground
10 apples, peeled, cored and cut into large wedges
Directions-
1. Combine all ingredients in your crockpot. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours.
2. When done just mash with a fork or potato masher to get rid of any remaining big chunks of apple.
3. For gift giving, place the apple butter into sanitized jars while still warm and seal promptly. Make sure to make labels listing the content and date it was made.
Nutritional Information-
Servings: 16. Serving Size: 1/4 cup. Calories per serving 132; Protein .1g; Carb 35.3g; Fiber 3.1g; Sodium 6mg.
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| Oatmeal Topped with Apple Butter |
Happy Healthy Eating!
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