One of the greatest things about fall, in my opinion, is the abundance of crisp, delicious apples that appear in the markets. Many people may sing the praises of pumpkin as a fall baking staple, but I’m firmly on the side of Team Apple. The scent of an apple pie, crisp, or crumble baking in the oven is the true aroma of the season, and I will not be convinced otherwise. ;-)
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Despite my love for cooked apples of all varieties, one particular form I had yet to attempt was making applesauce. In my mind, it had to be a fairly difficult process, or more people would do it, right? Wrong! So wrong. In fact, the process is so dang easy that I am forced to believe that most people just don’t know about it! So I’m going to remedy that situation today by sharing with you all how easy it is to make the most deliciously sweet cinnamon applesauce you’ve ever tasted.
Slow Cooker Cinnamon Applesauce
- 3 lbs apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1½ Tbsp lemon juice
First, you’ll need to peel, core, and slice about 3 pounds of apples. (The original recipe I saw suggested Golden Delicious apples, but Gala were on sale so I used those, and it turned out just fine!) This part could end up being a bit time consuming, but not if you have one of these bad boys! (Otherwise known as an Apple & Potato, Peeler, Corer, Slicer.)
These amazing little devices will peel, core, and slice an apple (or potato) in about 10 seconds flat. Honestly, if you do any amount of baking with apples (or just love sliced apples), you should look into getting one. But I digress!
Since the apple comes out of the machine sliced into a spiral, all I had to do was slice the apple in half and I had perfectly uniform apple slices, with minimal waste and effort.
Once your apples are sliced, put them into a crockpot and add the cinnamon and lemon juice. Stir several times to ensure that all the slices are evenly coated. Then turn your slow cooker on high and let it cook for 3 hours, stirring occasionally (3 or so times during cooking should suffice).
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After 3 hours, you may or may not need to mash the apples up a bit, depending on what kind of apples you used. Mine did need some mashing, so I used a simple potato masher right in the crockpot to break things down a bit. I loved the slightly chunky texture of the applesauce from using the masher, but if you prefer a smoother applesauce, you might want to try an immersion blender.
And that’s really all there is to it! :-) With minimal effort and just a few hours in the crockpot, you can make your own healthy and delicious applesauce that everyone is sure to enjoy.
CINNAMON APPLE SAUCE
Ingredients:
- 3 lbs apples peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1½ Tbsp lemon juice
Instructions:
- Peel, core, and slice about 3 pounds of apples.
- Once your apples are sliced, put them into a crockpot and add the cinnamon and lemon juice. Stir several times to ensure that all the slices are evenly coated.
- Turn your slow cooker on high and let it cook for 3 hours, stirring occasionally (3 or so times during cooking should suffice).
- After 3 hours, you may or may not need to mash the apples up a bit, depending on what kind of apples you used.
It doesn’t need any added sugar?
I think the sweetness of the apples is enough, after they cook down. I’m sure you could add some if you wanted it to be extra sweet :-)
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I use myour apple slicer, peeler, corer every year with my first graders for john Chapman’s birthday. They are amazed that they can jump rope with the length of an apple peel! I also do the applesauce but never thought about mashing them up! Thank you!
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Someone told me that it can be done with Asian pears. I will try this next autumn, as the bounty from our two trees (planted by the previous owner) leave me scrambling to give them away before they rot. Very short “shelf” life.
How have I not had one of these machines before?! I just picked one up to make the applesauce recipe, and I can’t believe how quick and simple it does the work with no mess or hassle.
As this is my first time making applesauce, I’m also amazed at the simplicity behind the recipe. We buy applesauce from the store because…why? Never again!
Yay! I’m so glad :-)
How Fantastic! I can’t wait to try this. I use applesauce in place of oil in many recipes.
Thanks for this easy tip!
I saw this recipe last year on the internet. I bought a peeler and made several batches. I has been a while so I am ready to make more. My recipe is like yours but mine also calls for brown sugar. It is soooo good.
Jillee! I just had to let you know…I have my 1st batch of applesauce almost finished – only 45 minutes more and it will be done. I found the apple corer this morning at “Kitchen Collection” at out local Outlet Mall. It was $9.95 + free hand slicer and corer free (just in case you only want to do 1 apple, this will come in handy. AND…The exact one just like the one you provided a link too! I love a good bargain. It works perfectly!! I cannot wait to try the applesauce!! I used Red Delicious from Washington State!… Read more »
One of our teachers does this. Each student brings an apple and they cook them all day in the crock pot then get to eat it!
That is adorable!