Homemade slow cooker applesauce is easy, convenient and delicious! Just put your cut up apples into the slow cooker and check back on them later. You control the levels of sugar or cinnamon in the applesauce (maybe none!), and can make it as chunky or smooth as your family likes!
Determining the sweetness of the apples and the amount of sugar to use doesn’t have to occur in the beginning of cooking. Test the flavor of the apples as they soften later, then add sugar accordingly. I didn’t add any sugar to mine until close to the end of cooking, when I realized my sweet apples were actually a little bit sour. A small sprinkle of sugar and another half hour of cooking made all the difference.
Applesauce makes a nice addition to your everyday meals and snacks, as well as a nice side dish on the holiday table. Kids love applesauce, too! Adults can use it to top other foods (like Hanukkah latkes) or as a nice sweet side dish to an otherwise savory meal.
This straightforward recipe would be fun to make with the kids on the weekends and might become a staple in your house. If you’re looking for other apple or pear recipes, you might be interested in Holiday Pear Sauce, Maple Cinnamon Baked Pears, or this pretty German Apple Cake.
The amount of applesauce this recipe yields depends on the size of your apples. When I make it, I typically get 3 to 4 cups of applesauce.
GLUTEN FREE OPTION: This applesauce will be gluten free if you use a gluten free cinnamon.
| Prep Time | 20 minutes |
| Cook Time | 5 hours |
| Servings |
cups
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- 10 or 11 large apples a sweet variety, peeled, cored, and cut into large chunks
- 1-1/2 to 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice juice of about 1/2 small lemon
- 1-1/2 cups water
- Up to 2 tablespoons sugar to taste
- 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon (optional) Use gluten free cinnamon to make the entire dish gluten free
Ingredients
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- Place the apples, lemon juice, and water into the slow cooker. If you wish, add an amount of sugar depending on the sweetness of your apples, or wait until later in cooking. Add the cinnamon, if you are using it. You can add more sugar later, when the apples have softened, so it's best not to overdo it at this point. Carefully stir all of the ingredients until the apple chunks are well coated.
- Cook on High setting for 15 minutes, then reduce the slow cooker to Low and cook for 4 to 6 hours.
- After about 4 hours of cooking, you can begin to mash the apples and test them for softness. Also adjust the sugar amount at this time, adding any necessary sugar, to taste.
- Continue cooking, checking occasionally for softness and sweetness.
- Once the apples have achieved the desired tenderness, mash them with a potato masher, fork, or spoon, to the desired chunkiness. If you prefer a smoother applesauce, let the sauce cool for 20 to 30 minutes, then add it to a blender, or use an immersed blender.
- This applesauce can be served warm or cold. If you make it ahead, just refrigerate it and serve it straight from the fridge or reheat it in a saucepan to serve warm
I hope you enjoy this recipe! Leave any feedback in comments below. Also, share your comments on Instagram: @key_lime_coconut or on Twitter: @keylime_coconut.
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