New favorite canning recipe!

So, most of you have seen my facebook page, and have asked for some of those awesome apple butter recipes, well here is one to get you started!  Keep checking back for new ones as I try them :)

Salted Caramel Apple Pear Butter

makes four pints; however, I used small 4oz jars :)

• 3-4 pounds apples- Used like, 6-8 apples
• 3-4 pounds pears- again, used about 9 pears and make sure they are ripe :)
• 1/4 cup water
• 6 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 cups dark brown sugar( note: this is where the color and flavor come in!) 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste [or extract - or a spent vanilla bean pod]- I used extract
• 1 teaspoon sea salt

Directions:

1. Peel, core and Place all ingredients into a large slow cooker [6-8 quarts]. Toss all together gently. Turn the slow cooker on low and cover. Walk away for 6 hours.
2. Now return to the slow cooker. Using an immersion blender or potato masher, puree the fruit mixture until smooth.
3. Prop the lid partially ajar using a wooden spoon or chopstick. Keep the slow cooker on low. Let cook for 8-12 to  hours. Stir occasionally.
4. Around eight hours in the second cycle, return, stir and check the taste and consistency. [You can adjust the salt, sugar, and add any spices if you'd like then.] I like to let the fruit butter get very dark and cooked down, but you can adjust to your liking. My final product cooked about 14 hours.- You may do longer if desired.
5. Store in the refrigerator for 2-4 weeks or water bath process. Ladle the butter in to hot, sanitized jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.