Brunching is by far my favorite ‘activity’. Breakfast foods in general, also rank quite high on my list. So when I had the chance to link up with 37-bloggers, who also love brunching as much as me, to share brunch recipes for #BrunchWeek, you know I had to join!
So welcome friends! This is the fourth annual #BrunchWeek hosted by Terri from Love and Confections and Christie from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures. We are so excited to have you join us this year as we celebrate Brunch and prepare for Mother’s Day. 37 Bloggers from around the country will showcase their best brunch dishes, from cocktails to cakes, breakfast breads, tarts, and quiche – there is something for everyone! Our amazing Sponsors have donated some great prizes for the #BrunchWeek giveaway. Thank you so much, Sponsors, for your generosity. We have an incredible giveaway below and we’d love if you would take a moment to read about it and what you can win!
I love homemade jams, and fruit butters. I can control the ingredients, and sugar content better that way. A fresh batch of homemade Apple Butter is the perfect make-ahead for the work week, or to set out in a mason jar for brunch with friends.
I searched for a few different recipes to get my own Apple Butter right. Some recipes said to peel your apples. Some called for white, and brown sugar. Some called for vinegar.
It was a tad overwhelming, but I wanted to make the cleanest possible recipe I could find, because I plan to smear this Apple Butter on all kinds of yummy bites, and the last thing I want to do is waste processed sugar and/or calories on this.
So…first off, I didn’t peel the apples, because #lazy. I used a bit of apple cider vinegar to cut some of the sweetness from the apples themselves, and the raw honey I added. Low and slow in the slow-cooker, and that’s about it.
Sage Fruits sent me a generous box of their apples from New Zealand, and they were perfect for my homemade Apple Butter. This buttah is tasty on toast, pancakes, mixed with peanut butter…the possibilities are endless.
- 5 apples, cored and diced
- 2/3 cup apple cider
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- To your slow-cooker, add all ingredients. Cover, and cook on high 4-5 hours, depending on your slow-cooker, stirring halfway.
- Uncover and puree with an immersion blender, or food processor. Cook on high uncovered 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until thick.
- Will make about 2 cups
[bctt tweet=”how to make clean eating, super flavorful, four-ingredient slow-cooker apple butter!” username=”casadecrews”]
See what other brunchy recipes we’re sharing today!
BrunchWeek Beverages:
- Green Tea Mojito by Love & Confections.
BrunchWeek Breads, Grains and Pastries:
- Apple Bacon Cheddar Flatbread by Wholistic Woman.
- Apple Cheddar Scones by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks.
- Apple Pie Pastry Braid by {i love} my disorganized life.
- Bacon, Cheddar & Chive Scones by Books n’ Cooks.
- Caramelized Onion Apple Galette by Forking Up.
- Chocolate Covered Strawberry Sweet Rolls by From Gate to Plate.
- Chocolate Zucchini Donuts by My Catholic Kitchen.
- Cinnamon Swirl Bread by Making Miracles.
- Cornmeal Biscuits with Chorizo Gravy and Scallions by Sweet Beginnings.
- {Gluten-Free} Galette Perougienne avec Chamomile by Culinary Adventures with Camilla.
- Gluten Free Orange Rolls by Gluten Free Crumbley.
- Italian Sweet Rolls by A Day in the Life on the Farm.
- Mini Brioche by The Redhead Baker.
- Orange Creamsicle Donuts by The Crumby Cupcake.
- Peach Cobbler Cinnamon Rolls by The Suburban Soapbox.
- Saffron Bread by Jane’s Adventures in Dinner.
- Savory Ham & Cheese Waffles by The Chef Next Door.
- White Cheddar & Black Pepper Gougéres by The Barbee Housewife.
BrunchWeek Fruits, Vegetables and Sides:
- Breakfast Potatoes by Big Bear’s Wife
- Cheesy Hash Browns by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings.
- Slow Cooker Apple Butter by Casa de Crews.
BrunchWeek Egg Dishes:
- Akuri Scrambled Eggs by Palatable Pastime.
- Bubble Up Denver Breakfast Bake by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures.
- Carnitas Eggs Benedict with Chipotle Crema in Avocado Halves by Sarcastic Cooking.
- Cheesy Breakfast Nachos by Rants From My Crazy Kitchen.
- Croque Madame Bread Pudding by Cooking In Stilettos.
- Macaroni and Cheese Soufflé by Tara’s Multicultural Table.
BrunchWeek Main Dishes:
- Apple Cornbread & Ham Roll-Ups by Nik Snacks.
- Breakfast Mac & Cheese by The Spiffy Cookie.
- Italian Sausage Strata by Feeding Big and more.
- Pizza Loaf by The Healthy Fit Foodie.
- Shrimp and Andouille Cheddar Grits with Hot Pepper Cream Sauce by The Texan New Yorker.
BrunchWeek Desserts:
- Chocolate-dipped Orange Cookies by Family Around the Table.
- Jelly Donut Cake by Pink Cake Plate
- Raspberry Coffeecake by That Skinny Chick Can Bake.
- Strawberry French Toast Cupcakes by Brunch-n-Bites.
…and to celebrate #BrunchWeek, we have some awesome prize packs, thanks to our sponsors – enter below!
Prize #1 Red Star Yeast is giving one winner an amazing baking set, which includes a mixing bowl, dough whisk, bamboo spatula, rubber spatula, instant-read thermometer, measuring cup, pizza cutter, tea towel, oven mitt, bench scraper, ‘Knead to be Loaved’ apron, 6 strips of Red Star Yeast, National Festival of Breads cookbook, and The New Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day hardcover cookbook
For more than a century, home bakers have trusted the high quality and consist performance of RED STAR Yeast. Inspiring bakers from novice to professional, our goal is your baking success! Visit redstaryeast.com for hundreds of tried & true recipes, baking tips and how-to videos. Better yeast. Better bread. Every time.
Prize #2 Dixie Crystals is giving one winner 1 case of 2-lb Extra Fine Granulated Sugar, a silicone baking mat, Dixie Crystal’s My First Cookbook, and Dixie Crystals red ruffle apron.
About Dixie Crystals: Since 1917, Dixie Crystals® has been the South’s choice for high-quality sugar and sweeteners. Our pure cane sugar products are all natural, non-GMO and provide consistently delicious results.
Prize #3 Cabot Cheese is giving one winner $50 assortment of Cabot Cheese, one Berghoff Cheese Knife and one Slate Cheese Board
Cabot Creamery Cooperative is a 1,200 farm family dairy cooperative with members in New England & upstate New York making all natural, award-winning cheeses & the “World’s Best Cheddar.”
Prize #4 Vidalia Onion Committee is giving one winner a Martha Stewart Knife Set, cast iron fry pan, cutting board, and fresh Vidalia Onions
About Vidalia Onions: Vidalia onions are unique to a very small region. In fact, they only grow within 20 counties in Georgia (which is also why they are the official state vegetable of Georgia)!
Vidalia onions were discovered back in 1930’s, and just like back then, they are still planted, transplanted and harvested entirely all by hand! Vidalia onions are grown during the winter months, and are only available in stores between April and September, making them a true seasonal specialty. In order to grow great tasting Vidalias, and to give them their characteristic sweetness, they must be grown in a sandy soil mixture that is low in sulfur (sulfur in soil is what gives onions their hotness). Because of this sweet flavor, Vidalia onions are incredibly versatile and can be used in any sort of dish; grilling, baking, appetizers, sandwiches, casseroles, and yes, even sweet desserts. Each year, approximately 5-million 40-pound boxes are shipped out around the entire country – now that’s a lot of onions!
Prize #5 Sage Fruits is giving one winner a Ninja® Mega Kitchen System® with Slicing/Shredding
Sage Fruit Company is a premier grower/shipper of apples, pears and cherries. Not only are they focused on healthy products, but also on helping kids get excited about healthy eating through their free Kids in Force program that helps kids eat more nutrition and get more physical activity.
Prize #6 Nielsen-Massey Fine Vanillas & Flavors is giving one winner a set of their pure flavors: 2-oz each of Orange, Lemon, Peppermint, Almond, Chocolate, Coffee, Rose Water, and Orange Blossom Water.
Nielsen-Massey Vanillas has been crafting the world’s finest vanillas and flavors since 1907. Each of Nielsen-Massey’s all-nature pure flavors are crafted with premium ingredients, sourced from around the world and chosen to meet the utmost quality standards. From lemon to peppermint to coffee or chocolate, Nielsen-Massey’s pure flavors offer convenience, quality and consistency to ensure your favorite recipes taste delicious every single time. All products are gluten-free, allergen-free, GMO-free, all-natural and Kosher.
Prize #7 KitchenIQ is giving one winner a Lid & Mitt, Edge Grip Quick Prep Knife Sharpener & Pairing Knife Combo, IQ Smart Wireless Nutri Scale, Edge Bug Scissor Sharpener, and Prep & Measure Tool
KitchenIQ, the new houseware branch of Smith’s Consumer Products, Inc., embraces Smith’s long-standing reputation for innovation and quality. KitchenIQ is committed to producing smarter products for the kitchen.
Prize #8 Le Creuset is giving one winner one Egg Carton in Caribbean, a Heritage 4 Qt Rectangular Baking Dish in Caribbean and a Revolution Spatula Spoon in Caribbean.
Le Creuset is focused on inspiring and empowering people everywhere to make joy through cooking. From our original enameled cast iron cookware to stoneware, stainless, silicone and more, Le Creuset has grown to offer products across a range of materials and categories that guarantees the right tool for the right job.
I used to sneak into the kitchen for spoonfulls of apple butter. SO good.
Apple butter with honey? Get in my belly!
Yum! I have been meaning to make apple butter for a while. Yours sounds amazing! Definitely perfect for brunch.
I grew up in the apple picking capital of the east coast. We pick every year. Made apple butter for the first time this year. It was awesome. The baby couldn’t get enough!
I always leave the peels on the apples when I make apple butter, too! Great recipe, can’t wait to try it out! I love a good eggs in purgatory dish for brunch, or a veggie omelet with feta cheese and hot sauce. Fresh fruit is also a must!
I love feta on eggs! I have had eggs in purgatory once, and they were spicyyyyy!
That looks so incredibly yummy and pretty easy to follow!
I love that you left the peels on the apple. My mom always said that is where all the nutrients are found. I would love a shmear of this on my toast this morning.
My mom always had a jar of apple butter on our breakfast table in the fall. I’d love to make your yummy recipe–perfect for my morning toast!
Oh that sounds like a wonderful memory!
Oh my gosh, I have so been looking forward to this week on your blog. Apple butter is delicious, and in a slow cooker? EASY AND SO GOOD. I want to go make it tonight, even just to make my house smell amazing! Now to enter all the giveaways 🙂
Meg, Borrowed Heaven
I have never made apple butter in a slow-cooker, but I like the sounds of it. I can only imagine how amazing it smells!
I’ve made apple butter in the slow cooker before and it’s so good!!! Such a smart idea.
Apple butter is my favorite! Yum!
Mine too – after making it for this recipe. It’s so easy! Thanks for stopping by! xo
Brunch is my favorite meal by far! This apple butter sounds so amazing! And anything made in the crockpot is a winner in my opinion! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes
I’ve never made my own butter before, but I might have to start with this one! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston
I love quiche for brunch with my husband.
MMM, quiche is always a good idea!
This recipe sounds so delicious!! And brunch week may be the best idea I’ve ever heard. 🙂
Audrey Adair-Keene | http://www.happilyaudrey.com
Right?! We should do a brunch soon! It’s my very favorite, for sure!