I’ve learned I need to have a few hostess gifts on hand at all times. Not because we’re the constant party-hopping kind of people, but because parties seem to pop up when we’re at our busiest.
I love giving canned goods as hostess gifts as I can whip up a batch of something delicious, like applesauce or jam, on a day off and it lasts for ages tucked away on a shelf so we can still be prepared for those last minute fetes. For me, a good hostess gift makes a small, thoughtful gesture. I’m a firm believer that they shouldn’t cost a ton of money!
This homemade apple butter is just the ticket. I got a massive box of apple “seconds” at our local farmer’s market for cheap and whipped up a huge crockpot worth of apple butter – almost a triple batch of what you’ll find below! It’s so easy – all you really need to do is peel and chop your apples, then kick back, relax and let your crockpot do the work. Things get even easier if you have a countertop apple corer and peeler.
To make the gifts even more personal, I wrapped them with twine and topped them with these cute labels I made. It’s the perfect touch to make sure your gift is special.
Just in case you whip up a batch of apple butter and want some labels, I’ve attached some printables at the bottom of this post! I made them to fit a 2.5″ circle label which fit perfectly on the lid of these pretty Quattro Stagioni canning jars.
Thanks so much for reading A Side of Sweet! For more Sweet in your life, you can find me on Instagram, Pinterest, Bloglovin’, or Twitter, or subscribe to receive a weekly email with new posts (see sidebar).
PrintHomemade Apple Butter Recipe
Homemade apple butter is the perfect hostess gift! Plus, it’s super easy because it’s made in your slowcooker!
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Snack
Ingredients
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup apple cider
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 12 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced into chunks (about 21/2 pounds)
- Optional equipment: countertop apple peeler
- Quattro Stagioni Canning Jars
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 10 hours or until apples are tender and falling apart.
- Blend apples until smooth in a blender or with an immersion blender. Return to slow cooker and cook on high for 1-2 hours, until thick. Stir occasionally.
- Canning instructions (optional): Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Pour apple butter into sterilized jars, making sure to wipe away any splatters from the jar rims. Leave 1/4″ of head space. Seal and boil for 15 minutes. If not canned, apple butter lasts about 1 week in the fridge.
Download the free printable homemade apple butter labels:
Yum, that apple butter looks delicious! I love homemade goods at Christmas 🙂 That touch pad is amazing!! Oh dear, something else to add to my wish list! xx
Isn’t it!? It’s like the next era of computers!
Good work! Love the view from your Sprout work-station. 🙂
Haha, thanks Lady! Can’t wait to hear all of your thoughts about the Sprout in person!
Nice! Ps. I love that mug. Is it ‘S’ as in Sarah?? 😉
Haha, one would think! It’s “S” for Sweet and was a lovely gift for lucky me. 🙂
Yum, your apple butter sounds amazing! Love the pretty packaging and cute labels!
Thanks so much Kelly!
Look at that work space! I’m in love with this machine and your cute labels. 🙂
It’s so space age, isn’t it! Definitely the wave of the future for design!
I love homemade apple butter! You wrapped it so beautifully! Thanks for sharing!
Awww, thanks so much!
I am late to the apple label party, but these are the cutest little hostess gifts ever!
xx Katie
lovely letters
Fashionably late of course! Thanks!