Michigan Apple Committee posted on February 18, 2014 |

Liz Della Croce, author of The Lemon Bowl, creates a healthy recipe with Michigan Apples.

Ginger spiced apple butter is made by slowly cooking apples until they caramelize and turn a beautiful, deep brown color. Naturally sweetened with no sugar added, spread on pancakes, stir into oatmeal or serve on toast.

If you followed me on any form of social media last year between the months of May and October you probably noticed that I am mildly obsessed with Michigan grown produce.

Between farmers markets, u-pick orchards and various farm stands, my Facebook and Instagram feeds were pretty much filled to the brim with gorgeous, vibrant Michigan grown fruits and vegetables. #SorryImNotSorry





Apple-Picking-The-Lemon-Bowl

Needless to say, when winter arrives and the ground freezes over, I go into a bit of fresh produce withdrawal. When Michigan Apples surprised me with a giant shipment of Jonagolds, I was beaming from ear to ear. Fresh, crispy, juicy and slightly tart, these apples brought me right back to our apple picking adventures last fall.Apple-Orchard-The-Lemon-Bowl

Since it would take us months to go through the amount of apples they sent us, I decided to whip up a 10 minute bath of Slow Cooker Sugar Free Apple Butter. Yes, SUGAR FREE! The fact is, when you are working with fresh produce you don’t have to add a lot to make it taste delicious. And although I admittedly don’t have a huge sweet tooth, my husband and son devoured this apple butter so I know it passes the sweet tooth test.

You can eat it plain like applesauce but it tastes great spread on pancakes, added to sweeten smoothies or dolloped on top of Greek yogurt. The options are endless.

Your fork is waiting.





Slow Cooker Ginger Spiced Apple Butter {No Sugar Added}

Author: Liz Della Croce | The Lemon Bowl

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 8 hours

Total time: 8 hours 10 mins

Ginger spiced apple butter is made by slowly cooking apples until they caramelize and turn a beautiful, deep brown color. Naturally sweetened with no sugar added, spread on pancakes, stir into oatmeal or serve on toast.

Ingredients

8 large apples – thinly sliced (leave the skin!)

2 cups water

2 tablespoons cinnamon

½ tablespoon ground ginger

½ tablespoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground cloves

Instructions:

Place all ingredients in a slow cooker and heat on Low for 8 hours.

Using a handheld immersion blender, gently puree the apples until you reach desired apple butter consistency.





Nutrition Information

Serves: 16

Serving size: ¼ cup

Calories: 44

Fat: .3 g

Saturated fat: .1 g

Unsaturated fat: .2 g

Trans fat: 0

Carbohydrates: 11.3 g

Sugar: 7.1 g

Sodium: 0

Fiber: 2.4 g

Protein: .2 g

Cholesterol: 0

Liz Della Croce is the creator and author of The Lemon Bowl, a healthy food blog. Since 2010, Liz has been creating delicious recipes using real ingredients with an emphasis on seasonality. Liz has appeared live on the TODAY Show and tapes regular cooking segments for her local NBC affiliate station. She lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan with her husband and two sons.