Apple Butter

Apple time is upon us so I'm pulling out all my favorite apple recipes. We'll shortly be making our yearly supply of applesauce, and from some of that sauce we'll create apple butter. This all-purpose product makes a wonderful spread for toast or homemade bread, a great Christmas gift, and a good alternative to peanut butter!

8 cups unsweetened applesauce
4 cups sugar
4 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons nutmeg
2 teaspoons Allspice
2 teaspoons ground cloves (this is the strongest spice, so adjust to preference)
**Combine all ingredients in a large crock pot. Leaving the top off, cook on high for 6-7 hours. Be sure to stir occasionally as a skin will form on top. Ladle hot into pint jars and process at 5 lbs for 10 minutes. Yields about 5 pints.