5 1/2 lbs apples (peeled, cored and finely chopped)
3 cups sugar (2 cups natural sugar, 1 cup brown sugar)
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
little nutmeg (optional)
splash of apple cider vinegar
Place sugars and spices over apples in large bowl and place in crock pot (or large heavy bottom pot). Set on highest setting for crock pot (or medium heat for stove) and stir occasionally. Add your apple cider vinegar within 30 mins of cooking. Let cook until apples have a very soft consistency. Uncover the apples and let cook for another hour without the cover (this entire cooking can take anywhere from 2 hours to 6 hours depending on the amount of apples). Don't worry about the amount of liquid the apples give off because once you blend it, it will be smooth and give that butter look and feel. You can use a masher or a blender (I used my hand held "motor boat" blender). Your mixture should be nice and smooth.
The next step is to place them in your sterilized jam jars, seal it, and store in your pantry. The easiest way I found to seal my jars was to ladle the hot jam into the hot sterilized jars and close them immediately and let them sit on the counter undisturbed for 24 hours. When you hear the popping sound from the jars, then you know that it is sealed. Once you press down on the lid and it does not "give" or pops back up then you know that it is sealed. This jam can be placed on the shelf in your pantry for up to one year. Once you open the jam, store in your refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. Simple! Enjoy!!