Are you tired of buying store-bought applesauce filled with artificial preservatives? Look no further than your trusty crock pot! Making homemade applesauce in your crock pot is a simple and delicious way to enjoy the taste of real apples without any added chemicals or sugars. Plus, nothing beats the comforting aroma of slow-cooked apples wafting through your home.

To get started, simply choose your apples and slice them into chunks. You can leave the skin on if you prefer a chunkier texture, or peel them beforehand for a smoother sauce. Then, add your sliced apples to your crock pot along with a tablespoon of lemon juice and a cinnamon stick for extra flavor. Cook on low for 4-6 hours until the apples are soft and tender. Finally, use an immersion blender or a regular blender to blend the mixture until you reach your desired consistency. That’s it! You now have a delicious and healthy batch of homemade applesauce ready to enjoy on its own or as a tasty topping for oatmeal or yogurt.

Ingredients

Making crock pot applesauce is an easy feat and requires a few basic ingredients that are easily available in most grocery stores. You will need:

1. Apples

The core ingredient of making applesauce is apples. You can use any variety of apples that you have on hand. Granny Smith apples are a popular choice because of their tartness, but if you prefer a sweeter applesauce, you can use Gala or Honeycrisp apples instead.

2. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a spice that perfectly complements the natural sweetness of apples and adds a warm, cozy flavor to the dish.

3. Sugar

If you prefer your applesauce sweeter, you can add sugar to the dish. You can use white sugar, brown sugar or a sweetener of your choice like honey or maple syrup.

4. Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is used to prevent the apples from turning brown and also adds a tangy flavor to the applesauce. You can use fresh lemon juice or bottled lemon juice.

5. Water

Water is added to the crock pot to help cook the apples down to the desired consistency.

6. Vanilla extract

Vanilla extract adds a lovely depth of flavor and aroma to the applesauce. You can add it in at the beginning or towards the end, depending on your preference.

7. Nutmeg

Nutmeg is another spice that complements the flavor of the apples and adds a warm, nutty aroma to the applesauce.

8. Cloves

Cloves have a pungent, sweet aroma and are often paired with cinnamon in many baked goods. Adding cloves to applesauce adds a warm, spicy flavor to the dish.

9. Allspice

Allspice is a warm spice that has a complex flavor profile which combines cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. It is a versatile spice that pairs well with apples and adds a unique flavor to the applesauce.

10. Butter

Adding a tablespoon of butter to the crock pot adds richness to the dish and makes it more flavorful. You can use unsalted or salted butter depending on your preference.

Instructions

Now that we have gathered our ingredients, it’s time to start making crock pot applesauce. Follow these simple steps:

1. Wash and Prep the Apples

Wash the apples thoroughly and peel them if desired. Remove the stem and cut the apples into quarters or halves. Remove the seeds and core. You can either leave the skin on or remove it.

2. Add Ingredients to the Crock Pot

Add the chopped apples, cinnamon, sugar, lemon juice, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, vanilla extract, and water to the crock pot.

3. Cook on Low Heat

Cook the mixture on low heat for 6-8 hours or high heat for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally. Check for consistency and cook more if needed to achieve a smooth texture.

4. Add Butter and Blend

After the apples have cooked down, add a tablespoon of butter to the mixture and blend using an immersion blender or food processor until smooth.

5. Adjust for Taste

Taste the applesauce and adjust for sweetness or tartness by adding more sugar or lemon juice as needed. You can also adjust the spices to your liking.

6. Store and Serve

Once the applesauce has cooled, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Serve chilled or warmed up with your favorite dishes.

Making crock pot applesauce is an easy and delicious way to enjoy a classic fall treat. With a few simple ingredients and some basic kitchen tools, you can create a flavorful and healthy snack or side dish for any occasion. So go on, grab your crock pot and get cooking!

Ingredients

To make crock pot applesauce, you’ll need the following ingredients:

1. Apples: You can use any variety of apples for this recipe, but we recommend using ones that are good for baking, such as Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, or Granny Smith. You’ll need around 10-12 apples, depending on their size.

2. Sugar: This is optional, but if you like your applesauce on the sweeter side, add about 1/4 cup of granulated sugar.

3. Cinnamon: Cinnamon adds a warm, cozy flavor to your applesauce. Use 1-2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon, depending on your personal preference.

4. Water: You’ll need about 1 cup of water to help cook the apples down into a delicious sauce.

Instructions

Making crock pot applesauce is simple and easy. Follow these steps:

1. Wash and peel your apples. Cut them into small chunks, removing the core and seeds.

2. Add your chopped apples into the crock pot, along with the sugar (if using), cinnamon, and water. Stir to combine.

3. Cover the crock pot and cook on high for 4 hours, or on low for 6-8 hours. Check on the apples occasionally and give them a stir.

4. After the apples have cooked down into a soft, mushy texture, use a potato masher or immersion blender to mash them into a sauce. You can leave some chunks if you prefer a chunkier texture.

5. Finally, taste your applesauce and adjust the sweetness or cinnamon as needed. Serve warm or chilled, and enjoy!

Variations

There are many ways to customize your crock pot applesauce recipe. Here are a few ideas:

1. Add other fruits: You can mix in other fruits such as pears or cranberries for added flavor.

2. Use different spices: Try adding nutmeg, allspice, or ginger for a different flavor profile.

3. Make it chunky: Only partially blend the apples so that there are still some chunks of fruit in the sauce.

4. Make it smooth: Use a strainer or food mill to remove any remaining chunks and give your applesauce a silky texture.

5. Add sweeteners: Instead of using granulated sugar, try using honey, maple syrup, or brown sugar.

6. Make it savory: Add herbs such as rosemary or thyme for a savory twist.

Storage

Once you’ve made your crock pot applesauce, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should last for up to 2 weeks. If you want to freeze it, leave some room at the top of the container for expansion, and freeze for up to 6 months.

Uses

Crock pot applesauce is extremely versatile. Here are some ways to use it:

1. As a topping: Use it to top oatmeal, pancakes, waffles, or ice cream.

2. As a dip: Dip apple slices, pretzels, or graham crackers into it for a healthy snack.

3. As a sauce: Use it as a marinade for pork or chicken, or drizzle it over roasted vegetables.

4. As a filling: Use it as a filling for pies, tarts, or turnovers.

Conclusion

Making crock pot applesauce is easy and delicious. With a few simple ingredients and some patience, you can have a healthy and flavorful snack or topping that you can use in many ways. Try different variations to find your perfect recipe and enjoy the goodness of fresh apples all year long!

Ingredients for Crock Pot Applesauce

Making applesauce in a crock pot is easy, and the best part is that you only need a few ingredients. Here are the essential ingredients you need to make delicious crock pot applesauce:

Ingredients Amount
Apples 8-10
Water 1 cup
Lemon juice 1 tablespoon
Cinnamon (optional) 1 teaspoon
Sugar (optional) 2 tablespoons
Nutmeg (optional) 1/4 teaspoon

Choosing Apples for Crock Pot Applesauce

When making crock pot applesauce, the choice of apples is critical. You want to choose apples that are sweet, fragrant, and have a firm texture. These characteristics will ensure a flavorful applesauce with a perfect texture. Some of the best apples to use for crock pot applesauce include:

  • Honeycrisp
  • Gala
  • Cortland
  • Jonagold
  • Golden Delicious
  • Braeburn

Preparation of the Apples

Once you have chosen the apples, you need to prepare them for cooking. Here are the steps you need to follow to prepare the apples for crock pot applesauce:

  1. Wash the apples thoroughly.
  2. Peel the apples and remove the core.
  3. Cut the apples into small pieces. You can use a knife or an apple slicer for this step.
  4. Put the apple pieces into the crock pot.

If you plan to use cinnamon, sugar, nutmeg or lemon juice, this is the time to add them to the apple pieces in the crock pot.

Cooking the Apples

Now that you have prepared the apples and added any desired seasonings, it’s time to cook the apples. Here are the steps you need to follow to cook crock pot applesauce:

  1. Set the crock pot on low heat.
  2. Add one cup of water to the crock pot.
  3. Cover the crock pot and cook the apples on low heat for 6-8 hours or until they are soft and tender.
  4. Once the apples are soft and tender, use a hand blender or food processor to blend the applesauce until it is smooth and creamy.

Storing Crock Pot Applesauce

After cooking your delicious crock pot applesauce, it’s important to store it properly to keep it fresh for longer. Here are some tips for storing your crock pot applesauce:

  • Let the applesauce cool before storing.
  • Store the applesauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
  • You can also freeze the applesauce for up to three months.
  • When freezing, leave some space in the container to allow for expansion.

By following these simple steps, you can make delicious crock pot applesauce right in your own kitchen. Enjoy the sweet and fragrant flavors of fresh apples any time of the year.

A Sweet and Easy Treat: How to Make Crock Pot Applesauce

That’s it! Making crock pot applesauce is super easy and a great way to use up any extra apples you may have on hand. Plus, you’ll have a delicious and healthy treat to enjoy. Thanks for reading and be sure to check back for more easy and tasty recipe ideas. Happy cooking!