Apple butter take 1

So I have about 25 apples on my counter right now, just calling me to do something with them.  Hmmm....what to do?  The kids don't like applesauce, and while the hubby would live it, I don't have enough crust ingredients for that many apple pies.  So, apple butter it is.  Besides. it is really hard to find a good apple butter in the grocery store, and the one from the Farmers Market last summer was way too sweet and expensive.

I am following the instructions here with the exception of cook time. I am trying it stovetop until they are tender as it is too hot to have the crockpot on for that long.  I am quite excited, I get to use my new canner for the first time!  Jars are in the dishwasher now.

Update coming as soon as its cooked....


Ok, it's cooked and I must admit I deviated from that recipe.  Here is what I did:
I took 6 granny smiths, peeled, cored and cut them into small chunks.  I added them to a saucepan and covered with water.  to this i added enough water to cover them, 1 cup splenda, 1 cup sugar, lots of cinnamon and some ground ginger.  I brought this  to a boil for 10 minutes before reducing the heat and letting simmer for almost 2 hours. (You want the apples to be mushy). 

Being the cheapskate I am, I don't have a foodmill or sieve, but I do have a colander.  I placed my colander over another pot and poured the apple in the colander, letting the liquid drain into the pot.  I then took a large spoon and pressed the mixture to get all the liquid out.  What remains in the colander is what goes into the jar.

It is now in the canner and my whole house smells of apples and cinnamon. WIN!!!!